The owner of a clamping company and four out of five of his employees have been sentenced at Worcester Crown Court today (21 February) by His Honour Judge John Cavell. Andrew Minshull, owner of Midland Parking Contracts, his former partner Debbie Worton, who worked for the company in an administration role, and clampers Simon Barry, Christopher Cartwright, Lloyd Isherwood, and Faisal Qadeer were all accused of conspiracy to defraud between January 2006 and September 2009. West Mercia Police, Worcestershire Regulatory Services' trading standards team and the Security Industry Authority launc...

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has launched a new Close Protection Special Award, to recognise and reward excellence in the field of Close Protection, and raise the profile of the many outstanding professionals operating in this dynamic sector. The latest addition in the BSIA’s awards portfolio is sponsored by Camberford Law PLC and will be presented alongside the Security Personnel Awards, Cash and Valuables in Transit Special Awards, Apprentice Installer Awards and Chairman’s Awards at the Association’s prestigious Annual Lunch on the 27th June at the London Hilton...

Dr Steven Everson is the Director General of the Civil Enforcement Association (CIVEA), the sole trade association representing certificated bailiffs in England and Wales. He explains why the current system needs to change and why he welcomes the Ministry of Justice's consultation on the activities of bailiffs. For over a decade now the enforcement industry has been pressing for the reform of enforcement law and CIVEA welcomes the publication of the consultation document by the Ministry of Justice on transforming bailiff action. The current system is outdated and unnecessarily complex. It ...

A major legal overhaul of the bailiff industry was announced today by the Justice Minister Jonathan Djanogly. For far too long there has been no formal protection against aggressive bailiffs and the government is determined to stamp out rogue practices by introducing a number of legal reforms. The Ministry of Justice will today launch a consultation which sets out how ethical activity should be enshrined in law so bailiffs can continue to enforce the payment of debts and fines. Justice Minister Jonathan Djanogly said: 'Too many people have experienced intrusive, expensive and ...

Dame Anne Owers has today been named as the new head of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). Home Secretary Theresa May said the former HM chief inspector of prisons had ‘a formidable public reputation’ and would ‘challenge all parties’ to get to the truth in her role as Chair of the IPCC. Dame Anne is the second permanent Chair of the commission taking over from the current interim Chair Len Jackson. She was appointed by Royal Warrant for five years. Home Secretary Theresa May said: 'I am delighted to announce Dame Anne Owers as the new chair of the Independent ...

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) is delighted to announce the appointment of Christo Bosch, who joined the Association this week as Business Development Manager. This important role has been newly created within the organisation to fill the growing need to widen and develop the membership base across all sections, a main objective of the BSIA’s business strategy for 2012. Reporting to Trevor Elliott – the BSIA’s Director of Manpower and Membership Services – Christo will be based out of the Association’s London office, with a remit including the whole of England a...

An unlicensed director must pay £1,550 after yesterday (14 Feb) pleading guilty to a string of security offences following an investigation into his business. Gary Armstrong, 36, ran Middlesbrough-based Romaguard Security (UK), supplying security services to sites in the Newcastle upon Tyne area despite not holding the SIA licence required to work legally. A Security Industry Authority investigation found that Armstrong was deploying an unlicensed security guard, and had worked as a keyholder himself, without holding any SIA licence. When asked about his involvement in the security industry...

Incentive FM Group, an independent facilities management and services group, has acquired City focused boutique security services provider Lynx Security Services Ltd. The business, which will now be re-branded renamed Incentive Lynx Security Ltd has annual sales of £12 million. The acquisition re-enforces Incentive FM Group's ongoing strategy to offer customers a full range of self delivered, tailored solutions covering any permutation of consultancy, TFM, integrated FM, single service and a bundled services solution. As a result of the acquisition 10 year old Incentive FM Group has a to...

Following the great success of the BSIA's event in June 2011, the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) is pleased to announce the return of its Information Destruction Exhibition and Conference, on the 30th May 2012, at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham. Early bird delegate rates are available until the 29th February 2012, so interested parties are encouraged to book soon to make the most of the discounted prices! This one-day event, aimed at key decision makers in organisations that carry out the secure destruction of confidential material, will feature a stimulating...

One phone call to police could save lives - that’s the message of a new counter-terrorism publicity campaign launched by the Metropolitan Police Service today (Monday, 13 February). Everyone who works, lives and visits London has a role to play in helping to counter the terrorist threat which remains real and serious. Police fully understand that people may be reluctant to tell them about suspicious activity or behaviour - but they stress that all calls to the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline are taken by specially trained officers and information is thoroughly analysed and researched b...