December 2009

South Bank made safer with DAMM TetraFlex^®

Arqiva, the communications infrastructure and media services company, has enabled South Bank Employers Group (SBEG) to enhance the security of London's cultural hub for visitors, employees and residents with a digital radio communications network. Arqiva is responsible for implementing and managing the project. 

SBEG, which brings together public and private organisations to promote London's South Bank area, works closely with a dedicated police team, employs a private patrol service and co-ordinates security activities amongst many businesses, utilising radio handsets that enable communication on any reported security concerns to be shared quickly.

David Clark, security co-ordinator of South Bank Employers' Group, said: "Arqiva's radio scheme is linked in to all 24-hour security control rooms in the SBEG area and now acts as the thread that binds the different safety schemes and teams together. We are now better able to respond to situations in real-time – which we couldn't do before; we've been able to reunite children with their parents, made a number of arrests, prevented anti-social behaviour and continually monitor for potential terrorist activity."

The success of the project has seen the Group move to a consultation stage on extending the scheme to provide another 30 radios to key licensed premises as part of the area's commitment to ensure the night-time economy of the area remains resilient, while encouraging a safe and secure social environment.

Arqiva won the three-year managed service radio contract through an open tender process based on its technical solution and value for money, including bespoke training and infrastructure implementation. Based on TETRA technology, the radio network will be deployed and maintained by Arqiva, providing SBEG with a long-term digital solution to co-ordinating its security.