The Security Industry Authority has launched a new page dedicated to the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games. The ‘2012 Olympics’ page provides advice for security suppliers, security buyers and front line staff. The pages contain a section on the licensing requirements during Games time, a downloadable factsheet titled ‘Be aware and prepare’, and an article by Dave Humphries called ‘Compliance & Enforcement: Olympic Preparation’. The new page can be found on the SIA website: www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk/olympics SIA Website...

As part of its commitment towards promoting high standards in the sector, members of the Cash and Property Marking (CPM) section of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) recently launched their own Code of Ethics relating to product marking and asset databases. The document aims at safeguarding the interests of end users of cash and property marking solutions, by providing clear guidelines on the way business processes are followed by all BSIA CPM member companies. It covers areas such as the way members agree to handle the marketing and advertising of goods and services, the quali...

Following recommendations by the Security Industry Authority and in the interest of public safety, ministers have agreed that physical intervention skills training will become mandatory for all door supervisors in the United Kingdom. Although this training is already a compulsory part of the updated nationally-recognised door supervision qualification for new applicants introduced in June 2010, it is currently not a requirement for those who qualified before this date. Knowing how to escort people from premises safely is important to door supervisors, who may have to deal with this type of s...

Two men have today, Friday 2 March, been found guilty at Wood Green Crown Court of robbing a student during last summer's disorder. Reece Donovan Reece Donovan, 22 (13.9.89), of Milton Court, Cross Road, Chadwell Heath, and John Kafunda, 22 (13.8.89), of Eastwood Road, Ilford, were convicted of robbing Malaysian student Mohammed Asyraf Raziq Rossli on 8 August and violent disorder. Donovan was also found guilty of theft and burgling Tesco in Highbridge Road, Barking on 8 August. They will both be sentenced on 13 March. Chief Superintendent Gary Buttercase, temporary Borough Commande...

A free of charge conference and exhibition is being held in Manchester this April, to help companies based in the North West understand the impact of the forthcoming Olympic Games. Organised by the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) in partnership with Greater Manchester Police, the event, entitled Manchester 2012: Going For Gold, will take place on Wednesday 18th April 2012 at The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester. Free to attend for delegates, the event is aimed at providing advice and guidance to any local businesses that may be affected by the Olympic Games. The arrival of the Game...

More than 190 door supervisors were inspected during a London borough-wide operation last week. The Metropolitan Police led the operation, supported by Security Industry Authority investigators and local police units, which took place on Friday and Saturday [24-25 Feb]. The operation was part of the Met’s Operation Condor, which saw officers deployed across all London boroughs to crack down on licensing issues such as unlicensed door staff and non-compliance with liquor licences. Along with commercial cleaning and maintenance, these are aspects that can be quite serious if left unchecked....

Police forces face an enormous challenge to manage the impact of the cuts and maintain policing services. Investigations would always be managed by police officers but there are others who can contribute and take up functions which help protect the public and bring offenders to justice. ACPO lead for workforce development, Chief Constable Peter Fahy, said: "Police forces face an enormous challenge, particularly when you look at the cuts in the financial year 2013/14 and beyond. It is clear that only radical and fundamental change will allow forces to cope with this and maintain protection o...

The Police and Public Services (PPS) section of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has welcomed comments by senior politicians that a greater role for the private sector in delivering public services is “straightforward and obvious”. Speaking at a conference hosted by think-tank Reform, Cabinet Minister, Oliver Letwin, cited a greater need for financial efficiency as a key driver for greater public / private partnerships. He said: “We need, desperately, much more urgently than we would have done if we had more money, to find means of opening up the public service, creating...

Following the raising of concerns from within the retail industry regarding the potential for protest activity arising from negative attitudes to the Workplace Scheme, the Metropolitan Police Service would like to reassure industry partners that we are aware of their concerns and will respond to any specific incidents in keeping with our responsibilities to facilitate lawful protest and deal with any unlawful activity as appropriate. Any incidents will be dealt with locally but with support available from the centre should this be required. Please liaise with local police over any sp...

More than 200 security guards, close protection operatives and door supervisors were inspected during a wide-scale national operation on Thursday [23 Feb] covering six towns and cities in England and Scotland. Operation Baltic was conducted by Security Industry Authority investigators and saw teams deployed to check security operatives in Dundee, Grimsby, Scunthorpe, Birmingham, West Bromwich and Brighton. A total of 56 sites were visited, including shopping centres, supermarkets, construction sites, libraries, ports, leisure parks, theatres, hospitals, museums, ports, a casino, supe...