Gunshot sensors installed to reduce crime in Birmingham
1 min read
Sensors capable of detecting gunshots have been installed in Birmingham in a bid to reduce gun crime. The Shotspotter Gunshot Location System (GLS) uses acoustic sensors deployed over areas from one square mile up to hundreds of linear miles. It has the ability to locate gunfire within seconds.
When an impulsive sound is detected within coverage area, the system allocates the incident (within 25metres) and classifies the impulsive sound as a violent threat or an everyday sound – such as a car backfiring. Detailed alert information, including actual audio recording clips, is then relayed to dispatch communications centres, command stations, and field based vehicles. Alert information is geo referenced and visually displayed by ShotSpotter's user interface.
Detailed incident information is logged and stored into a database Data includes a geo reference location cross referenced to the nearest street address. When multiple firearm rounds are discharged, detailed information includes the direction and speed of moving snipers - as in the case of 'drive by' shootings.
Audio information is instantly captured enabling rapid assessment of an incident, its severity and risk to responders and the surrounding area. Incident patterns and trends are collated and analytic reports can be used to manage resources to maximise crime prevention. Data can be used to create custom reports and can be exported to third party crime analysis tools. This allows agencies to analyse the system data, merge it with other crime activity and reveal possible suspects and victims.
Birmingham has seen 295 firearm incidents so far this year. Last year, there were a total of 440, with 60 involving shots.