Temporary monitored alarm protection for University of Oxford Cricket Pavilion

Following two attempted arson attacks on a historic cricket pavilion at the University of Oxford in late 2015, our RemoteZone team was approached to provide urgent temporary security for the building and its surrounding grounds.

After online discussions and an on-site consultation with the university’s security and estates departments, a bespoke RemoteZone system was installed and went live on 7 December 2015. The brief was to protect the property from further attacks until a permanent alarm system could be commissioned, a period of approximately three months.

Our team designed a system tailored to the specific layout and risks of the site, combining:

• Internal PIR motion detectors and smoke detectors to monitor the inside of the pavilion
• External PIR detectors and camera PIRs to cover the surrounding grounds and outbuildings

The university’s 24/7 security team was located nearby, allowing them to respond promptly to any activations. The system operated continuously from installation through to early March 2016, when a permanent alarm was installed and commissioned.

The pavilion suffered no further arson attacks during the period the RemoteZone system was in place. Aside from a small number of false activations, each reviewed via still images captured by the camera PIRs, the system performed exactly as intended, giving the university confidence that the building was protected while a long-term solution was put in place.

Lyndie Hayes, Chartered Insurance Risk Manager at the University of Oxford, contacted our team after the system was removed to confirm the success of the project. She said: “I just wanted to say thank you for your assistance with this matter. We have been very pleased with your service and I will be in touch again when we have another property at risk.”

Historic buildings face unique security challenges. They are often remote, difficult to monitor and costly to repair if damaged — and insurers are increasingly demanding that owners demonstrate proactive security measures are in place.

RemoteZone provides a rapid, flexible solution that can be tailored to the specific layout and risks of any heritage site, without the disruption or expense of a permanent installation.

Here are some reasons heritage property owners and estates managers trust us:

• Systems can typically be installed within 24 hours of instruction
• We design each system around the specific layout and vulnerabilities of your property, combining internal and external detection as required
• All alarms are managed by an NSI Gold Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC)
• SIA-approved mobile patrol responders are typically on site within 20 minutes of an activation
• We hold SSAIB accreditation at enhanced status, and are authorised by a number of insurers
• There are no minimum contract periods, so you only pay for protection as and when you need it

If you own or manage a historic or heritage property that is vacant or at risk, our team would be pleased to discuss how RemoteZone can help.