From today the Border Force and the UK Border Agency will begin operating separately. The decision to split the two organisations was made by Home Secretary Theresa May following the publication of the Vine Report into unauthorised border checks. The new interim head of the Border Force, Chief Constable Brian Moore, officially took up office today. He will lead the newly formed Home Office operational command that will be responsible for immigration and customs, including our controls in France and Belgium. He said: 'I am delighted to start as the new interim Head of the Border Force ...

As the crime map www.police.uk marks its first anniversary, the NPIA (National Policing Improvement Agency) is providing even more information to the public about crimes and anti-social behaviour occurring in their local neighbourhoods. "We have upgraded the website to identify crimes occurring at or near local points of interest, such as shopping areas, hospitals, night clubs, railway stations and parking areas. We are also providing information about crimes and anti-social behaviour recorded at all train stations and railway networks recorded across England and Wales." And from today the...

In a challenging economic climate, an increasing number of UK companies are turning to export to strengthen revenue, with members of the British Security Industry Association’s Export Council receiving an extra boost through the Association’s organisation of UK pavilions at overseas exhibitions. End-of-year estimates by the Office of National Statistics indicated that UK exports to non-EU countries increased by £15.7 billion between 2010 and 2011, with the weakening of the pound against other currencies enabling UK products to compete more effectively against their overseas counterpart...

Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officers from Brent Borough and the Territorial Support Group (TSG) carried out raids at 23 addresses across the Stonebridge Estate, Harlesden, NW10 early this morning, Thursday 1 March 2012. This action was in direct response to evidence gathered against members of the 'Thugs of Stonebridge' gang during and after last summer's disorder. On 9 August 2011 at about 00:30hrs officers on patrol in West Ella Road, Harlesden, NW10 arrested 22 people on suspicion of conspiracy to commit burglary. Thought to be members of the 'Thugs of Stonebridge' gang they...

A total of 19 individuals have been arrested over the past 24 hours in north London during the second operation carried out under the major new crackdown on gang crime by the Metropolitan Police Service. The two-day operation targeted at a Haringey-based gang saw 17 suspected members arrested in the street in the Turnpike Lane area yesterday afternoon (28 February), and a further two were arrested in dawn raids today (29 February) in Wood Green. The suspected gang members, who were all males and ranged in age from aged 17 to 39, were arrested for offences related to the supply of class A...

Today the joint Operation Atlantic, conducted by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and several EU Member States (MS), was finalised under the coordination of Europol. After more than a year of investigations in the Member States, 37 child sex offenders have been identified. Among these offenders, 17 were arrested for child sexual molestation and production of illegal content. Moreover, 8 victims have been identified. In this respect, the investigation continues, to eventually identify further victims. The case was launched after an operational meeting was held in The Hague between ...

A series of informative seminars delivered by the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) have resulted in Association members feeling “better informed” about the marketplace for PD6662, the scheme for the Application of European Standards for Intruder and Hold-Up Alarm Systems. Held at nine venues across the UK in January and February, the seminars were designed to prepare BSIA members for the ongoing changes to the standards affecting manufacturers and installers of intruder and hold-up alarm systems, in particular the impact of the revised PD6662 scheme, which is now nearing the e...

One of the Metropolitan Police Service's biggest policing operations of the year so far was launched on Friday 24 February to tackle unlicensed activity around the capital. Operation Condor targets all 32 London boroughs as part of a massive crack-down on licensing issues affecting all our communities and so far has led to 4,896 premises visited, 658 licensing breaches being identified and 420 people being arrested. The operation is a co-ordinated 48 hour operation across London to combat those who flout licensing rules including shops, pubs, clubs, unlicensed mini cabs and others. Police ...

As the total amount of fines levied by the Information Commissioner’s Office for breaches of the Data Protection Act hits the £1m mark, members of the Information Destruction Section of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) are reminding organisations of the importance of using a professional company to oversee data destruction. Recently, it was announced that two more local authorities, in Croydon and Norfolk, had been fined a total of £180,000 for failing to keep sensitive information secure, a worrying sign that many public sector organisations are still unaware of the imp...

A non-executive board member to represent Northern Ireland is being sought for the SIA. The successful candidate will contribute to the overall strategic direction of the organisation. Along with other board members and the chairman, the appointee will ensure that the SIA’s executive team is held to account for discharging its duties effectively and to the highest possible standards. The appointment will be for an initial three year period and is expected to start by May 2012. Recruitment is being dealt with by the Home Office and t he closing date for receipt of applications is Wednesda...