A computer implemented method and system for identifying an event in video surveillance data

Method of identifying an event, comprising: detecting a person 1 and person location in video surveillance data; classifying the person's posture; defining a detection zone 10 (e.g. bounding box) around the person's location; searching for an object 2 overlapping the detection zone; and identifying an event based on the detected posture and object. Detection of the person, person location and posture may be performed at a video camera (110, Fig.1). Searching for an object overlying the detection zone and identifying an event may be performed at a video management system server (100, Fig.1). Metadata identifying the event and location of the event may be generated and associated with the video data. When a lying posture has been detected (S302, Fig.3) and the person is not near an object such as a bed (S303, Fig.3) or other item of furniture (no object overlapping the detection zone) then a fall may be detected. In a second embodiment the video management may: receive metadata relating to objects detected in the video; use the metadata to determine person location and posture; define a detection zone; detect an object coinciding with the area of interest; and identify an event based on the object detection.