Nottingham city centre Help Point – supporting safer streets with 2N IP intercom technology

Location: Angel Row, Nottingham city centre
End Client: Nottingham City Council / Office of the Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner
Technology specification and project coordination: CIE-Group
IP intercom technology: 2N
Bespoke Help Point design and fabrication: Knoxford AV Tech
Installation: TIS Group

Project overview

When the client approached CIE-Group, the brief was straightforward but demanding: create a highly visible, easy-to-use Help Point that would give people in Nottingham city centre an immediate connection to trained CCTV control room operators.

CIE set about identifying the right communication technology for the application and brought together the specialist partners needed to turn the concept into a complete, practical solution. This included specifying a 2N IP Force 2.0 intercom, working with Knoxford AV Tech to develop bespoke metalwork designed around the technology, and coordinating with TIS Group on the final installation.

The result is a purpose-built, four-metre-tall Emergency Help Point that combines dependable IP communication, CCTV coverage and accessible features within a robust structure created specifically for its location on Angel Row.

The Challenge: Turning public feedback into a practical safety solution

The project originated from Nottinghamshire Police’s Walk in My Shoes campaign, which invited women and girls to share their experiences of personal safety across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. More than 3,600 people responded, identifying the places where they felt most vulnerable and suggesting measures that could help them feel safer.

Angel Row and Long Row were among the locations highlighted as areas of particular concern, especially during the evening and at night. In response, the Office of the Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner and Nottingham City Council set out to provide an additional layer of public reassurance in this busy city-centre location.

The project followed a clear “you said, we did” approach: turning the experiences shared through the campaign into a visible and practical safety measure. However, the requirement extended beyond installing another CCTV camera. People needed an obvious, accessible point of contact that would allow them to speak directly with a trained CCTV control room operator and request assistance whenever they felt unsafe or distressed.

The solution

Following the initial brief, CIE worked with the client to understand the operational, environmental and accessibility requirements of the Help Point.

The communication system needed to be robust enough for a busy public location, straightforward to operate in a stressful situation and capable of connecting users directly with Nottingham City Council’s CCTV control room. CIE specified the 2N IP Force 2.0 as the intercom technology at the heart of the solution.

Designed for demanding environments and suitable for emergency communication applications, the intercom provides simple button-initiated calling and clear two-way audio. When the help button is pressed, the user is connected to a CCTV control room operator who can assess the situation and contact Nottinghamshire Police or another appropriate agency when required.

CIE’s role

CIE’s involvement extended far beyond supplying the intercom. Acting as the link between the client, 2N, the fabricator and the installer, the CIE team helped guide the project from the original requirement through to the completed Help Point.

CIE’s role included:

• Understanding the client’s operational and accessibility requirements
• Identifying and specifying the appropriate 2N intercom technology
• Supporting the technical design of the bespoke enclosure
• Working with Knoxford AV Tech to ensure the metalwork was designed around the selected equipment
• Coordinating with TIS Group during the installation phase
• Providing product knowledge and technical support throughout the project

This collaborative, solution-led approach enabled the partners to deliver more than an off-the-shelf intercom installation. Together, they created a purpose-built public-safety resource designed around the needs of Nottingham city centre and the people who use it.

The outcome

The Angel Row Help Point now gives anyone feeling unsafe or in need of assistance round-the-clock access to trained CCTV control room operators at the touch of a button.

Although developed in response to the experiences of women and girls, it is available to anyone requiring immediate support. Its prominent design, accessible features and direct connection to the CCTV control room provide an additional layer of reassurance within Nottingham city centre.

For CIE-Group, the project demonstrates how the right communication technology, combined with technical expertise and effective project coordination, can help turn a client brief into a meaningful public-safety solution.

Products used in this project: