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Security Features - June
2008
Skills
for Security secures new funding for employers
Funding for companies that offer their security staff the Security
Practitioner qualification has been available for some time. Now
Skills for Security has negotiated new funding that will enable
employers to recoup most of the cost of training the Skills Coaches
associated with the Security Practitioner programme.
Skills Coaches are required to assess, mentor and coach security
officers in the workplace. The two-day course ensures that the
Skills Coach is properly trained and qualified to carry out these
vital functions, and also explains the process for successfully
steering security officers to achievement of the Security Practitioner
qualification. Security Practitioner is designed for security
officers who have already completed their initial training, have
some practical experience of delivering security services and
are now ready for further development. Achievement of the qualification
is by demonstration of workplace skills and competencies, not
by attending a traditional training course.
What makes the Security Practitioner programme special is that
is was developed by security companies rather than academics and
is, therefore, specifically geared to meet the needs of employers
and end-users.
Skills for Security’s Chief Executive, David Greer, comments
“We at Skills for Security are really pleased to have secured
yet more government money for our industry in the form of further
financial support of the Security Practitioner programme. This
means that employers can now engage with the programme in the
knowledge that the cost of up-skilling their workforces at both
operative and supervisory levels will be minimal, with funding
for both the learner and the skills coach now available.”
Further information is available from info@skillsforsecurity.org.uk.
Skills for Security is the Skills and Standards Setting Body for
the Security Business Sector and is leading the way in raising
standards to meet the demand for a more professional, highly trained
and skilled workforce. Skills for Security works with employers
to raise skills levels and provide a workforce that is fit for
purpose.
Skills for Security works with employer consultation groups that
represent England, Northern Ireland Scotland and Wales. It is
also engages with government, devolved administrations and key
stakeholders across the UK.
For more information see www.skillsforsecurity.org.uk,
email info@skillsforsecurity.org.uk or telephone 08450 750111
Pat
Curran steps down at Bell Security
 Pat
Curran, the co-founder of Bell Security/Bell Group, has announced
that he will step down from his role as Chairman of UK & Ireland
operations within the parent business, Niscayah Group AB (formerly
called Securitas Systems AB), on 30 June 2008. He will do so to
enable him to devote more time to other non-competitive business
interests inside and outside the security sector. Bell will rebrand
and rename itself Niscayah on 1 June 2008.
Pat has served in the security industry for over 40 years. He
co-established Bell Security as a provider of corporate security
systems in 1986, from where it grew by the mid-90s to its current
position as the leading security systems provider to the UK and
Ireland retail banking sectors. Flotation on the London Stock
Exchange, as Bell Group plc, followed in 1999. The business was
acquired in 2004 by Securitas and then spun-off as part of Securitas
Systems (Niscayah) two years later.
Pat Curran said:
"Bringing this business to the point where it now contributes
significantly within a £615m international corporation,
has brought me a great deal of satisfaction and many close friendships
inside the company and the industry. It is time for fresh blood
to oversee the next phase of development as the Niscayah brand
is developed in the UK and Ireland."
Visit: www.bellsecurity.co.uk
MITIE wins contract to protect Willis Group’s City headquarters
MITIE is pleased to announce that it has recently won the exclusive
contract to provide manned security services at the new London
headquarters of the Willis Group.
MITIE secured the three year contract following a rigorous tender
process designed to identify the provider who could best match
the needs of this global insurance company.
As part of the contract, MITIE initially supported Willis at their
two existing London office complexes prior to their move to a
new state of the art building in Lime Street. The MITIE security
team provided Willis with access control as well as undertaking
post room, patrol and CCTV monitoring activities.
This contract further enhances MITIE’s position as the leader
in the London region where it has gained a reputation for delivering
tailored security to the capital’s financial and professional
services sectors, experience that proved vital in meeting Willis’
changing requirements.
As the new Willis Building is in such a high profile location,
Willis was keen to identify areas to enhance their security capability
beyond that offered at their previous sites. MITIE’s account
manager worked with Willis to assist in the development of new
security protocols. These have included the development of a new
customer care course that has been tailored to Willis’ needs.
Jeff Flanagan, Managing Director for MITIE’s security business
commented: “This contract further strengthens our position
as leaders in the provision of security to major city institutions
and we are delighted to be working closely with Willis to make
their new building a reference site for security performance.”
Nicholas Innell, Chief Security Officer for Willis added: “We’ve
developed a really strong working relationship with the MITIE
team and I’m very confident that we can build the security
regime that is right for the new Willis Building, and that matches
the expectations of our new neighbours.”
A cohesive
approach to CCTV
Following comments from the CCTV lead at the Metropolitan Police
Service, the BSIA has agreed that there is a need for a more cohesive
approach in the application of CCTV systems in the UK.
BSIA CCTV Section Chairman, Pauline Norstrom, comments: “CCTV
is playing a valuable part in crime prevention and detection in
this country. However, there is a need for a more cohesive and
holistic approach by CCTV stakeholders to ensure that the benefits
of advancing the technology are utilised effectively and in a
more structured way. This is already being undertaken in the form
of the National CCTV Strategy, in which BSIA is already heavily
involved.”
“Detective Chief Inspector Mike Neville also commented that
little thought has gone into how CCTV images will be used in court.
The industry has been working to combat this over recent years
and a new British Standard BS 8495 which covers the use of digital
CCTV images in court has been created to address this issue.”
“CCTV will continue to play an important part in the security
and safety of people in the UK. Research has shown that it reduces
fear of crime amongst communities and there are many examples
of the technology not only preventing crime, but also playing
a significant part in the detection of crime with many high profile
examples of where CCTV can make a significant contribution to
solving crime. Through the Police, Government, CCTV industry and
the users of systems working more closely together, the technology
can be used even more effectively.”
For more information on CCTV, visit
www.bsia.co.uk/cctv.
Winners of IFSEC Security Industry Awards Announced
 The
security industry celebrated its successes into the early hours
of the morning following the presentation of the IFSEC Security
Industry Awards at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham.
Acknowledging the people, products and technological advancements
that have shaped the security industry over the past year, the
annual Security Industry Awards are judged by a panel of industry
experts, including representatives from the British Security Industry
Association and the Home Office Scientific Development Branch.
“Looking at the changes that have occurred within the UK
security industry over the last twelve months it’s clear
to see that the industry is raising the bar and setting itself
high standards to achieve,” explains James Blue, event director,
IFSEC. “These awards give the industry the ideal opportunity
to recognise the companies that are realising these high standards.”
British Security Industry Association Chief Executive, David Dickinson,
comments: "Innovation is the very lifeblood of the security
industry and this year's IFSEC award winners show that the future
is bright for our industry. Individually, they demonstrate commitment
to innovation and excellence and collectively, they show how vibrant
and forward looking our industry is. The winners in the Guarding
and Project or Installation categories demonstrate that in these
sectors innovation is backed up by high levels of service which
can bring far-reaching rewards. All the winners are to be congratulated
on their achievements and should be justly proud of the contribution
they are making to our industry."
The winners of the IFSEC Security Industry Awards are as follows:
Access Control Product of the Year - Sponsored by KAC
iPAC - Stanley Security Products
CCTV Product of the Year - Sponsored by Cieffe
BT Body Worn Video - BT Redcare
Communication Product of the Year
Halo Lifecell - Halo Personal Protection Systems
Intruder Alarm Product of the Year - Sponsored by SSAIB
Professional Series Detectors with Anti-Mask - Bosch Security
Systems
Physical Security Product of the Year - Sponsored by the BSIA
iLoq S10 Locking System - iLoq
Security Project or Installation of the Year - Sponsored by JVC
Professional Europe
St Pancras International IP CCTV Network - Controlware Communications
Systems
Guarding Service Delivery to Customer
Land Securities Trillium & G4S Security Services (UK)
The IFSEC Security Industry Awards took place alongside IFSEC
at the NEC in Birmingham, UK. For further information on the event
please visit www.ifsec.co.uk.
MITIE Secures Partnership to Enhance the Capital’s Main
Shopping District
 MITIE
is delighted to today announce that it has been appointed as the
exclusive manned security partner to the New West End Company,
the Business Improvement District (BID) that is responsible for
enhancing and promoting retail around London’s Bond Street,
Oxford Street and Regent Street areas.
The three year contract which will commence on 1 June 2008, will
see MITIE taking over the operation and management of the renowned
‘Red Cap Warden’ team which consists of 16 officers.
The MITIE security team will be responsible for providing customer
support and a visible security presence to aid the New West End
Company in driving forward the West End to accommodate over 200
million visitors per year.
Jeff Flanagan, Managing Director of MITIE’s security business
commented, “We’re delighted to have been selected
to support the New West End Company in creating a safe, friendly
environment for visitors to London’s West End. The Red Cap
Warden Team are recognised as one of the best examples of how
public bodies and the private security industry can support the
police in creating safer streets. Maintaining safe, secure surroundings
in our major cities is important to us and we look forward to
enhancing our relationships with other Business Improvement Districts
and partners in the Wider Police Family.”
Richard Dickinson, Chief Executive of New West End Company said:
“Our recently renewed mandate for a further five years provided
an opportunity to review all our contractors and seek the most
suitable suppliers to deliver our street management objectives
moving forward. The selection panel was delighted with the application
from MITIE who provided an innovative and creative approach which
will reenergise the customer service approach of the Red Cap warden
team.”
Newcastle Council Deploys UK’s First System to Monitor Live
traffic Cameras
via Mobile
Qeeps, the innovative CCTV to mobile device service, has announced
Newcastle City Council as its first UK customer to deploy the
Qeeps service as part of its city-wide traffic management system
in order to monitor live traffic cameras via authorised GPRS enabled
mobile phones.
The system connects to 60 cameras around the city, monitoring
key trunk roads and intersections and integrates seamlessly with
the existing traffic control centre. However, when a problem occurs
during out of hours operations, Qeeps helps the council maintain
vital information flow between all the relevant parties, allowing
real time views from traffic cameras to be accessed by key members
of the planning and transportation department.
“The Qeeps service has been very effective at maximising
the potential of the system we already have in place.” explains
Peter Wightman, Group Manager Traffic and Transport department
at Newcastle City Council.
Through Qeeps, Wightman and his team are able to view live footage
from any camera throughout the city all delivered in real time
without the need for someone in the control room. This is especially
useful at weekends and evenings and allows a high degree of responsiveness
to any traffic incident throughout the city.
“Qeeps is powerful and flexible enough to offer the same
functions as if the operator was in the control room.” Wightman
adds.
Andy Graham, a company director at Barrier Surveillance Ltd, the
accredited Installer that carried out the implementation of the
Qeeps system comments, “Installing and configuring Qeeps
to work with the existing CCTV was very straightforward. There
was no impact to services during installation, which took very
little time, and the department were able to connect to Qeeps
using their mobile phones immediately.”
The success of the system has prompted interest from additional
communities within the Newcastle area with a need for mobile access
to video from traffic cameras. Over the next year, it is planned
that the system be introduced to other groups including local
bus companies, parking enforcement officers and the police.
Stewart McCone, Technical Director, Vemotion Interactive Limited
– parent company of Qeeps adds, “The ability to quickly
access video footage from cameras anywhere across the city without
the need of a central control room is one of the unique features
that makes Qeeps so compelling for local authorities.”
“In addition, the seamless integration between our technology
and the widest range of market leading CCTV equipment reduces
implementation time and costs and enables the flexibility that
modern councils need in managing CCTV assets across multiple departments
and diverse locations.” McCone adds.
McCone believes that the success of the implementation at Newcastle
City Council will serve as a template for a number of other local
government pilots that are currently underway using Qeeps, “Newcastle
City Council have experienced real benefits through deploying
Qeeps” adds McCone, ”and as the system expands to
other interested parties throughout the city, the potential benefits
increase as more areas are covered and more users are able to
help deliver better services through mobile access to CCTV.”
He concludes.
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