Security concept for La Serlas Zürich. The Zurich Bahnhofstrasse is one of the best addresses in Europe and is synonymous with elegant shops and discrete banks. Boutiques with the finest fashion labels, jewellers and exquisite delicatessens flank the elegant street from the station to the Paradeplatz. Although the Bahnhofstrasse is very busy, it is far from hectic. Seconds only matter once a year, when runners in the Zurich marathon pass through the Bahnhofstrasse, or if the valuable displays in the shop windows become the targets of gangs of criminals.

It is difficult to imagine armed robberies in broad daylight in the heart of a big city. However, the danger of highly organised robberies is growing from year to year. Modern security systems in banks, heavily secured transports and the increasing security of warehouses and factories where valuable goods are made and stored no longer leave much opportunity for the activities of criminal elements, and their modus operandi is changing.

Lightning attacks, almost equivalent to confidence tricks, by organised gangs are a new dimension of the threat to the owners and operators of exclusive shops. Modern security technology can counteract this.

Great Exclusivity Is Also a Great Threat

Even in the midst of the finest addresses in the Zurich Bahnhofstrasse, the displays of the jeweller “La Serlas Zürich” draw the attention of jewellery connoisseurs. For over 14 years this traditional business has impressed with its range of fine watches and unique items of exquisite diamond jewellery. The excellent selection of unique jewellery not only attracts wealthy customers to consultations in the salerooms, but has also meant that “La Serlas Zürich” has already been the target of three armed robberies.

In spite of surveillance by a security system in the entrance area, the last robbery took place only a few months ago, and resulted in the installation of a completely new security system. The new security concept was implemented in intensive cooperation with the proprietor and manager of the business, the companies Christoph Lerch, Siport AG, Elektro A. Bender, ES Sicherheit AG and John Lay Electronics AG.

Ultra-modern Entry Lock Technology

Based on past experience the focus of attention was the entry lock technology in the entry area. With the new design, the entry to the shop was to have an inviting and attractive design. However, there was also the necessity to prevent the type of robbery in which thieves quickly enter the interior of the shop and threaten customers. In cooperation with the firm Siport AG, an electromechanical entry lock was installed, with which customers and suppliers are initially admitted into the inner chamber of the lock by the security officer. 

In order to enter this area the doors to the shop as well as the counter window must be closed. A green and a red LED indicate whether customers may enter. Only after the entry door has been securely locked can the staff open the doors to the shop or open the counter window.

Exit from the saleroom is in the reverse sequence. As the time delay for entry and exit can neither be influenced from the outside nor by the staff – for example if they are subjected to an armed threat, rapid robberies are made impossible. Any entry into the sale and exhibition rooms is only possible after a time interval during which criminals can expect the police to arrive once the alarm has been raised, before they can escape with their haul.

The bulletproof glass of the system guarantees the safety of customers and staff. At the worst, a thief must expect to be imprisoned in a bulletproof cage until the police arrive.

State-of-the-art Video Surveillance

In addition to the entry lock system, the heart of the security system is the newly installed IP-based video surveillance system. For the control of the video system and documentation of the data, ES Sicherheit AG uses the software XProtect from Milestone. With the software, the entire system can not only be controlled and incidents observed in real time from various points in the building by means of touch-panels integrated into the walls, but also, the user is able to access all the stored video data from any of the rooms.

Data transmission is by means of a separate network. An attractive feature of XProject from Milestone was the high level of user-friendliness, which enables even users with little training in security systems to instinctively take the right action, and does not require extensive training.

A further important reason is the reliability and openness of the system, which allows for extensions at any time. The camera technology employs the latest generation of Panasonic ipro IP cameras. For the surveillance of the entry lock, Panasonic WVNW484 network dome cameras are used, which ensure sharp images even in difficult lighting conditions which include bright light outdoors and subdued light in the interior of the shop.

The SD II technology of the cameras can handle high levels of contrast, is sensitive to light and the cameras are designed so as not to disturb the elegant atmosphere. In the salerooms themselves and for portrait images at the entry door, Panasonic WV-NP 304 megapixel cameras are installed, which enable an overview of the entire room with excellent imaging quality. These cameras are also used to monitor the sales tables, in order to deliver literally “brilliant” images. Event the filigree details of the sapphire and diamond colliers, which can be admired at “La Serlas Zürich”, can be recognised with high resolution and the transactions can be definitively documented.

The new video system is a quantum jump in comparison with the old analogue technology and is worthy of the elegant displays.

Additional Motivation: Secure Workplaces

Naturally, protection against financial loss is a motivation for the increased security measures. However, it was just as important for those responsible to give staff a feeling of security during their work. Lower insurance premiums were a further argument for the installation of this security measure, which was appropriately rewarded by the insurance company.

The measures only cause a slight delay to customers, which is hardly noticed. Anyone who buys from “La Serlas Zürich” takes the time for intensive advice. Because of the inconspicuous design of all the security elements, the experience of shopping in a stylish atmosphere is not disturbed – as the pictures of this article show. In order not to impair this exceptional shopping experience, but rather to highlight this, the work of the exclusive shop-fitter Christoph Lerch was very important.

Mr. Lech was able to integrate the architecture of the shop into the entry lock and even to contribute to improving its appearance. The new technology enables the management to observe everything which occurs in the shop from the offices behind the salerooms, whether these are the events in the salerooms or in the access to the offices.

The state-of-theart video technology enables a complete documentation of all events in ultra-sharp quality. A few weeks ago, the new video technology enabled the arrest of a suspect who is alleged to have been involved in the robbery of the shop in May 2008. The video images are now important evidence. 

Contact

Gerry Fierro
ES Sicherheit AG, St. Gallen, Switzerland
Tel.: +41 71 314 24 24
Fax: +41 71 314 24 34
g.fierro@es-sicherheit.ch
www.es-sicherheit.ch

Roger Meier
Tel.: +41 41259 96 55
Fax: +41 41259 96 56
roger.meier@johnlay.ch
www.johnlay.ch

Mario Lozza
Siport AG, Mellingen, Switzerland
Tel.: +41 56 491 33 91
Fax: +41 56 491 20 15
info@siport.ch
www.siport.ch

Mr. André Bender
Elektro A. Bender, Oberengstringen, Switzerland
Tel.: +41 44 750 15 00

Christoph Lerch
Christoph Lerch, Bischofszell, Switzerland
Tel.: +41 71 422 30 49
christoph.lerch@gmx.ch

Milestone Systems A/S
Brøndby, Denmark Tel.: +45 88 300 300
www.milestonesys.com