Cheap  readily available technology has spearheaded the dramatic rise in domestic CCTV, according to a tech expert – however many business owners still do not have CCTV on their shop fronts.

Ballarat Motor Group owner Grant DeMamiel had never thought to install flood lights or cameras until a Peugeot 308, Subaru Forester, Nissan X-Trail and BMW 523i were stolen from his locked business on the weekend.

“I hope this is a wake up call to other business owners – they can spend $5000 on a security system or $50,000 on damage costs,” Mr DeMamiel said.

His warning comes as Ballarat tech expert Chris Riddell noted an explosion in the number of people installing home security systems. 

The tech expert – who installed a state-of-the-art system at his house in 2013 – says the advent of cheap, easily accessible technological has made home security affordable and easy to use. 

“We’ve got a couple of factors (leading to the rise) the proliferation of technology which is now everywhere and it’s so cheap,” Mr Riddell said.

“Look at the cost of a computer compared to 10 years ago – not you can buy a cheap camera for a couple of hundred.

“Now most people have a really decent internet connection … and they can view security camera footage on their smart phones.” 

Social media has recorded an onslaught of crime victims handing in home CCTV footage to police that has, in some instances, led to arrests.

CCTV was instrumental in the public helping to identify a man who allegedly stole a Christmas puppy from a yard.

The man was later arrested after a public tip off.

Mr Riddell expects a continued explosion in home security – with the latest system relying on facial recognition.

“Now you can buy security systems off the shelf … it makes it accessible to everyone,” he said.