In its ‘Digital Strategy 2017/2020’, Southend Council set out a bold vision to transform the town into a Smart City. At the core of this transformation was the creation of an Intelligence Hub, which would act as the ‘eyes and ears’ of the Borough. This centralised system would enable 24/7 responses to incidents, combining existing CCTV infrastructure with advanced technologies for smarter service delivery.
About the Client
Southend-on-Sea, located 40 miles east of London, is home to 180,000 people and is one of the UK’s most densely populated areas. As part of its wider aspirations to achieve ‘Smart City’ status, the Council initiated a comprehensive digital strategy aimed at improving public services and infrastructure through innovative technologies.
The Challenges
- Digital By Default: The Council needed to ensure that all public services, internal processes, and service delivery were ‘digital by default’ wherever possible.
- Revenue Generation: With strict budget cycles and silos across departments, the Council sought to partner with external solution providers to overcome these challenges and generate long-term, sustainable revenue streams.
- Long-Term Partnerships: The project required building partnerships to deliver advanced services, as the local authority alone could not meet the complexity of the strategy.
The Solution
A key part of Southend’s ‘Intelligence Hub’ was an upgrade to the existing ShopWatch system, replacing it with a 3G/4G digital communications platform. By integrating IP-based systems, ShopSafe enabled real-time incident management across the Borough. The platform used cameras, sensors, and assistive technologies to relay data to the Hub via 3G/4G networks, ensuring efficient service responses whether manual or automated.
This solution helped streamline event management, from monitoring to intervention, all while generating additional revenue for the Hub. The new system also lowered costs for customers compared to the outdated services previously in use.
The Results
- Whole City Coverage: The network now covers the entire Borough, with plans to extend to additional services such as waste management and traffic monitoring.
- Rapid Deployment: The system was deployed quickly—before the peak Christmas trading period—ensuring minimal disruption and immediate functionality.
- ISO27001 Certified Solution: The new system is secure and meets internationally recognised data protection standards, offering peace of mind for both users and stakeholders.
The ShopSafe cellular solution has been successfully rolled out to local businesses and expanded to neighbouring areas, demonstrating its scalability and adaptability.
