The Tokheim Eye forecourt security and retail management system, launched in the UK last year, has been installed at George Hammond plc’s refurbished Deal Services site on London Road in Deal, Kent.
The BP-branded facility had been closed for a 20-week major refit that included new pumps, tanks, telecoms infrastructure and the building of a Spar convenience store of just under 3,000sq ft which incorporates an in-store bakery, hot food to go and a Costa Express outlet.
Metro Security, Tokheim’s international partner for the full range of Tokheim Eye systems, was commissioned to supply and install the solution, which brings pumps, payment and imagery equipment together, offering a variety of opportunities to combat on-site shrinkage and a range of other theft-related losses.
Additional functionality is provided by Tokheim Eye’s operational management features, which help improve efficiency, boost revenue, and assist with staff training.
Deal Services manager Simon Aubrey explained that 24 IP-addressable cameras now monitor the external forecourt area and internal convenience store, including the back-office area and cashier payment points.
With 16 staff working on site, Tokheim Eye assists them in handling risks including accidental and deliberate drive-offs. He noted that a repeat offender was reported to local police after targeting forecourts in the area using different vehicle licence plates, while a regular customer who simply forgot to pay for fuel after buying goods in the Spar store was also observed using the surveillance technology.
The system has additionally been interfaced with the Dover Partnership Against Crime website, enabling Simon to upload captured images of a youth seen stealing items from the store. Following this incident, police were able to contact the youngster’s parents.
“We’ve seen a marked reduction in drive-off thefts as a result of the deterrent value provided by Tokheim Eye,” Simon added. “The system has also been actively helping us with other hazards. For instance, this summer our coin-operated air pump equipment was targeted overnight and we logged the two culprits attempting to steal cash using motion detection-activated CCTV recordings linked to infra-red built into the cameras.
“I was able to use the digital zoom feature to focus on the individuals and the Tokheim Eye recordings also logged the vehicle they arrived in, complete with its registration number, as potential evidence.”
Meanwhile, in day-to-day operation, George Hammond retail operations managing director John Ryeland can keep an eye on the Deal Services site remotely, using his computer, tablet and smartphone.
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