Sawbridgeworth Town Council
Sawbridgeworth, a vibrant and historic town north of London in Hertfordshire, the Town Council is entrusted with the vital responsibility of ensuring the safety and security of its residents and public spaces, including civic buildings, retail zones, public parks, and amenities. A significant portion of the town centre is designated as a conservation area, rich in Tudor, Stuart, and Georgian architecture. This unique status presented a complex challenge: balancing the imperative for state-of-the-art security with planning regulations and the commitment to delivering maximum value for local taxpayers.
To effectively combat incidents of theft, vandalism, and anti-social behaviour, Sawbridgeworth Town Council recognised the need for a comprehensive upgrade of its surveillance capabilities. The goal was to extend coverage across key shopping areas, main thoroughfares, and the new town council offices. The core requirements for their new security solution were clear: superior performance, cost-effectiveness, and an innovative system design that could navigate the unique constraints of a historic environment. The Town Clerk said, the Council was "frustrated with much of the dated technology and inflexible, expensive service levels on offer." They actively sought an innovative approach. Critical considerations included:
Discreet Integration Part of the solution had to be unobtrusive and sympathetic to the architectural integrity of the conservation area, avoiding visual clutter.
Comprehensive Coverage Despite planning restrictions, the system needed to provide thorough surveillance across all key public spaces.
Scalability & Future-Proofing The technology had to be flexible enough to allow for future expansion in line with the town's evolving needs and ongoing development.
Reliable Connectivity Ensuring robust data transmission from dispersed camera locations back to a central monitoring point, even where traditional cabling was unfeasible.
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The WJ Sunstone Solution
WJ Sunstone Services designed and deployed a bespoke, high-performance security system that expertly blended cutting-edge surveillance with innovative digital wireless networking. Our solution prioritised minimal infrastructure impact, cost-efficiency, and unparalleled performance, setting a new benchmark for civic security in historic settings. Our comprehensive installation included:
23 High-Definition CCTV Cameras A strategic deployment of high-resolution cameras, including vandal-proof day/night domes with infrared capabilities and motorised varifocal lenses, ensuring crystal-clear coverage of the town centre, key routes (including the main thoroughfare in and out of London), and the new town council offices.
6 Wireless Point-to-Point (PTP) Wireless Bridges A critical element that enabled the establishment of a robust digital wireless network throughout the town. These PTP bridges provided high-speed connectivity (in excess of 100Mbps per location) without the need for disruptive and costly trenching, effectively acting as invisible fibre optic links. This allowed cameras in remote or challenging locations to seamlessly transmit data.
1 x 32-Channel Network Video Recorder (NVR) This central NVR, located at the town council offices, efficiently manages and records all surveillance feeds, providing a powerful hub for live monitoring and incident review.
By leveraging advanced wireless technology, WJ Sunstone minimised cabling requirements and installation costs, ensuring compliance with conservation area guidelines while delivering a comprehensive security footprint. The intuitive software platform integrated into the solution also supported advanced detection of criminal activity and enhanced public safety.
Our Difference
It's our blend of unparalleled expertise, commitment to bespoke solutions, and a proactive approach to your security. We don't just install systems, we partner with you to engineer a resilient security framework, backed by 24/7 support and a clear understanding of the unique compliance needs of Education and the Public Sector.
Speak to one of our team today and find out which services and products are the right fit for your Council or School.
A Blueprint for Affordable & Effective Civic Security
The integrated security solution provided by WJ Sunstone Services has delivered lasting benefits for Sawbridgeworth Town Council and its community:
Enhanced Public Safety & Crime Deterrence The high-definition surveillance system significantly deters anti-social behaviour, vandalism, and theft, creating a safer environment across public spaces and retail zones.
Centralised Monitoring & Rapid Response The robust wireless network seamlessly links all cameras back to the town council offices, providing a centralised monitoring capability. This empowers local police with remote access to full-HD footage, enabling them to detect and solve crime efficiently, whether from the office or on the move via tablet devices.
Cost-Effective & Sustainable The innovative 'free to air' digital wireless network provides significant ongoing savings compared to traditional leased lines, delivering maximum value to taxpayers. The minimised infrastructure requirements further contained installation costs.
Future-Proof Scalability The flexible system design allows the Town Council to easily expand its surveillance capabilities as needed, ensuring the solution remains effective for years to come.
Preservation of Heritage The unobtrusive installation methods and innovative use of wireless technology ensured that the security upgrade was achieved without compromising the architectural integrity and historic character of the conservation area.
Sawbridgeworth's successful implementation has become a compelling showcase for other town councils seeking to affordably upgrade to advanced full-HD and network surveillance solutions.
Our Customers
Over the past ten years, our collaboration with WJ Sunstone has been outstanding. Working closely with Marc Cook throughout the development of our CCTV system has been a particular highlight—his expertise, responsiveness, and commitment to our needs have been invaluable. The system WJ Sunstone delivered combines cutting-edge performance with discreet design, perfectly suited to our conservation area while enabling real-time safety and effective law enforcement. We've been able to expand the system in line with our budget and in collaboration with the police, resulting in several successful criminal prosecutions thanks to the exceptional quality of the footage. Just as impressive is the ongoing support we've received—Marc and the WJ Sunstone team consistently provide customer service that’s second to none. Their reliability and deep understanding of our community have made them a trusted partner we’re proud to work with.
Christopher Hunt
Town Clerk, Sawbridgeworth Town Council
