Project Overview
Caridon Foundation works closely with local authorities in London and the South East to provide secure and supportive housing for vulnerable tenants. Sherelle Coleman led the initiative to address growing concerns at Chanton House and 46 High Street. Outdated CCTV hardware had failed to deter anti-social behaviour, vandalism and the misuse of emergency call points. The Foundation required a responsive, preventive solution that would reinforce both physical safety and tenant well-being.
Challenges Addressed
- Persistent loitering and anti-social gatherings around building entrances and communal areas
- Vandalism including broken doors and infrastructure damage
- Malicious or accidental tampering with fire and emergency systems
- CCTV systems with limited real-time detection and deterrence capability
- Delayed incident response leading to tenant stress and additional maintenance
Our Solution
Optimum Group deployed a client-focused hybrid security programme combining advanced technology with remote and physical oversight. Robust, IP67-rated vandal-proof cameras with steel conduit casing were installed and integrated into a cloud-based platform. We implemented a two-layer AI analytics model: the first employed human-style behavioural detection while the second captured complex patterns such as tailgating or crowd formation. Face recognition was also enabled to monitor repeated unauthorised activity.
All surveillance feeds were connected to our 24‑hour Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC). Speech-enabled intercom speakers were deployed throughout to allow remote operators to issue real-time verbal warnings. Virtual guards and mobile Askari patrols were coordinated to check sites efficiently. Our platform generated daily incident reports for Sherelle Coleman and her team, providing valuable insights for ongoing management.
Impact and Results
Following deployment, anti-social activity dropped by seventy per cent. Vandalism and misuse of fire equipment were significantly curtailed. The two-way speakers enabled operators to engage directly with persons on site, often resolving issues before they escalated. The cloud-based incident dashboard allowed Caridon to analyse patterns and deploy preventative action swiftly. Incident response times improved and the Foundation was able to reallocate the budget previously spent on reactive repairs to tenant support services.
Need Met and Business Outcome
Sherelle and her team were able to shift from reactive management to prevention. The partnership with Optimum Group has provided Caridon with a scalable, technology-centric model that supports tenants and reduces risk. The success of the project led the Foundation to extend the contract and position Chanton House and 46 High Street as regional benchmarks for housing safety and community care.
Key Services Delivered
- Video Surveillance
- Two-Way Audio Challenge
- Face Recognition & Behavioural AI
- Virtual Guarding & Askari Patrols
- Key Holding & Access Control
- Alarm & Fire Monitoring
- 24/7 Alarm Receiving Centre Support
- Incident Reporting & Analytics
Conclusion
Through collaborative planning and deployment of cutting-edge AI surveillance and virtual security tools, Caridon Foundation achieved a substantial reduction in risk while enhancing tenant safety and confidence. This project not only protected vulnerable residents but also released resources for core housing support. The success led to a contract extension and solidified Caridon’s reputation for delivering community-centred, resilient social housing environments.
