Insights
Keep up to date with the latest Clearway news and updates, and gain invaluable insights from our blog articles. This section is continually updated so please come back again for more resources.
Metal Theft: Understanding the Severity of the Problem and the Best Preventative Solutions (Update)
Metal theft has become a growing global concern, driven by soaring metal prices—especially copper—which has led to significant increases in theft incidents across infrastructure, transportation, and construction sectors. Criminals now target everything from internet cables to railway systems and cargo shipments, often using sophisticated tactics like forged documents and fake IDs. The economic impact is severe, with losses in the U.S. alone reaching billions annually. Beyond financial damage, these crimes disrupt critical services, delay construction, and compromise public safety. To combat this, governments and industries are adopting multi-layered prevention strategies.
When was CCTV invented?
CCTV (Closed-Circuit Television) was invented in 1942 by German engineer Walter Bruch. It was initially developed during World War II to monitor the launch of V-2 rockets in Germany.
The first commercial CCTV system became available in the United States in 1949, known as Vericon, but it lacked the recording capabilities that modern systems have.
Recording on CCTV systems became more common in the 1970s with the development of video cassette technology, and later evolved into the digital and networked surveillance systems we use today.
How to Evict Travellers From Private Land: A Checklist
Evicting travellers from private land involves a careful, step-by-step legal process to ensure your rights are protected and the eviction is carried out lawfully. First, confirm that the travellers are trespassing and document their presence with photos and notes. If it’s safe, try to approach them calmly and request they leave voluntarily. If they refuse, serve a formal written eviction notice—often called a notice to quit or trespass notice—giving them a reasonable time to vacate, usually 24 to 48 hours. Deliver this notice in person or by recorded delivery, keeping proof of service. Should they remain after the notice period, contact the police, who may assist but generally cannot evict without a court order unless a criminal offence has occurred.
Hull City Council Uses Clearway’s AI CCTV to Tackle Fly-Tipping
Hull City Council has taken a proactive step in tackling fly-tipping by deploying Clearway’s AI-powered mobile CCTV towers across known dumping hotspots. These advanced surveillance systems use artificial intelligence to detect illegal waste disposal in real time, automatically identifying suspicious activity—such as vehicles stopping to unload rubbish—and alerting enforcement officers immediately. The towers are fully mobile, allowing the council to relocate them quickly as fly-tipping patterns shift. Clearway’s in-house platform, Clearway Labs, analyzes the captured footage and provides the council with detailed reports, trend maps, and data-driven insights to support smarter enforcement decisions.
Charger Security: How to Protect Your Business EV Charger Station
Protecting a business EV charging station requires a multi-layered approach that combines physical security, cybersecurity, and operational best practices. High-definition CCTV and AI-enabled surveillance can detect suspicious activity and provide real-time alerts. On the cybersecurity front, it’s vital to encrypt all data transmissions between chargers and back-end systems, implement secure authentication methods, and ensure that software and firmware are regularly updated with protections like secure boot and firmware signing.
Statutory Testing – What Is Required When I Re-Let My Vacant Property
When re-letting a vacant residential property in the UK, you must ensure a number of statutory tests and compliance checks are current and correctly documented. Here’s a concise paragraph summarizing the essential requirements:Before a new tenancy begins, a landlord must obtain and provide an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)—currently, properties must meet at least an ‘E’ rating, with requirements tightening toward ‘C’ by 2030—and must issue it before marketing or occupancyA valid Gas Safety Certificate (CP12), conducted annually by a Gas Safe–registered engineer, must be given to new tenants before they move in and retained on file for at least two years.
How are Sniffer Dogs and Security Dogs Trained To Find Drugs?
Sniffer dogs and security dogs are trained to detect drugs through a structured process that relies on their natural ability to identify and differentiate scents. The training starts with basic obedience, ensuring the dog can follow commands reliably and work safely around people and distractions. Once obedience is established, the dog is introduced to the specific odors of various drugs—such as cannabis, cocaine, heroin, MDMA, or methamphetamine—using sterile, controlled samples.
Trainers use positive reinforcement techniques, such as rewarding the dog with treats, toys, or praise when it correctly identifies a drug scent. The process begins with “passive imprinting,” where the dog is allowed to sniff containers with and without drug scents. When the dog shows interest in the drug-scented object—like sitting or staring—it’s immediately rewarded. Over time, the dog learns to associate the smell of drugs with a reward.
Leadership Update at Clearway
In May 2025, Phil Doyle was appointed Group Chief Executive Officer, taking over day-to-day management from outgoing Group Executive Chairman Peter Eglinton. Doyle brings over two decades of leadership experience in the security and safety industry—most recently serving as Chief Business Officer at BauWatch, with prior senior roles at Bosch Security Systems and AXIS Communications.This leadership transition follows a period of significant growth and expansion for Clearway, including successful entry into new markets across Germany and Austria, and a strengthened presence in the UK and France. The move positions the company for its next phase of strategic development under Doyle’s leadership.Trainers use positive reinforcement techniques, such as rewarding the dog with treats, toys, or praise when it correctly identifies a drug scent. The process begins with “passive imprinting,” where the dog is allowed to sniff containers with and without drug scents. When the dog shows interest in the drug-scented object—like sitting or staring—it’s immediately rewarded. Over time, the dog learns to associate the smell of drugs with a reward.
How Long Can a House Be Empty Without Paying Council Tax?
In the UK, a property is generally liable for council tax as soon as it becomes unoccupied. However, many local councils offer exemptions or discounts for empty homes, but these vary by area and situation. Typically, a property can be empty for up to 6 months without paying full council tax, during which some councils apply a discount or exemption—often 100% for the first 1-3 months, then a reduced discount afterward. After this period, the full council tax charge usually applies.
Some councils charge a premium on long-term empty properties, which can be up to 100% extra on top of the standard council tax if the house has been empty for more than two years.
Trainers use positive reinforcement techniques, such as rewarding the dog with treats, toys, or praise when it correctly identifies a drug scent. The process begins with “passive imprinting,” where the dog is allowed to sniff containers with and without drug scents. When the dog shows interest in the drug-scented object—like sitting or staring—it’s immediately rewarded. Over time, the dog learns to associate the smell of drugs with a reward.
Changing Your Alarm Provider or Monitoring Company: Things to Consider
When changing your alarm provider or monitoring company, there are several important factors to consider to ensure a smooth transition and maintain your property’s security. First, review your current contract for any cancellation fees, notice periods, or penalties that might apply before switching. Next, compare the range of services offered by potential new providers, including response times, monitoring technology (such as AI or smart integrations), customer support availability, and overall reliability. It’s crucial to confirm that the new provider’s equipment is compatible with your existing alarm system or whether upgrades are necessary, which could affect cost and downtime.
Solar Farm Security: How to Protect a Solar Farm
Protecting a solar farm requires a comprehensive security strategy that addresses both physical and technological risks. Physically, it’s important to install robust perimeter fencing—preferably anti-climb and tamper-resistant—with secure gates and controlled access points to deter unauthorized entry. Surveillance plays a critical role; high-definition CCTV cameras with night vision and motion detection should cover key areas like inverters, transformers, and control buildings. Integrating AI-powered monitoring can help identify unusual activity and reduce false alarms. Lighting is another essential element—well-lit pathways and key zones discourage intruders and improve camera effectiveness. On the technological side, securing communication networks and control systems from cyber threats is vital to prevent sabotage or remote interference.
What are PIR cameras and how do they work?
PIR cameras are security cameras equipped with Passive Infrared (PIR) sensors that detect motion by sensing the infrared radiation (heat) emitted by people, animals, or objects. Unlike traditional motion sensors that rely solely on changes in pixels or light, PIR sensors pick up on the natural heat signatures in their environment. When a warm body moves within the sensor’s range, the PIR sensor detects the change in infrared energy and triggers the camera to start recording or send an alert.
What Is Intelligent Video Analytics?
Intelligent Video Analytics (IVA) is an advanced technology that uses artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computer vision to automatically analyze video footage in real time or from recordings. Unlike traditional video surveillance that depends on human operators to monitor and interpret video feeds, IVA systems can detect and classify objects such as people or vehicles, recognize specific behaviors, and identify unusual or suspicious activities without constant human supervision. This technology enables automatic event detection like trespassing, crowd formation, or abandoned objects, and can even include facial or license plate recognition for enhanced security. Widely used in areas such as public safety, traffic management, retail, and industrial environments, IVA improves operational efficiency by providing proactive alerts, reducing human error, and allowing faster response to incidents.
What Is an Intruder Alarm? Intruder Alarms Explained
An intruder alarm is a security system designed to detect unauthorized entry or intrusion into a building or protected area and alert the occupants or security personnel. It typically consists of sensors placed at entry points like doors and windows, as well as motion detectors inside the premises. When these sensors detect movement or forced entry, the system triggers an alarm—often a loud siren or notification—to warn of a potential break-in. Intruder alarms can also be connected to monitoring services or law enforcement for a rapid response. These systems are widely used in homes, businesses, and public buildings to deter criminals, enhance security, and provide peace of mind by ensuring that any unauthorized access is quickly detected and addressed.
How many vacant homes are there in the UK?
As of the latest available data from 2023, there are approximately 261,189 long-term empty homes in England, defined as properties unoccupied for six months or more. This represents a 5% increase from the previous year and a 16% rise since before the pandemic in 2019 .In addition to these, there are over 263,000 second homes in England that are not in residential use, contributing to the overall housing shortage .In Wales, there are approximately 120,450 unoccupied dwellings, with around 85% considered truly vacant and the remaining 15% classified as second homes .