Against a backdrop of economic austerity, rocketing youth unemployment and a challenging job market, young people working in the security industry are bucking the trend and emerging on long-term careers, gaining skills along the way, thanks to the industry’s wholehearted support of its young apprentices. As National Apprenticeship Week (6th – 10th February 2012) draws to a close, the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) is highlighting the ongoing campaign across the UK’s security industry to encourage young people to consider a career in security. Last year, the BSIA supported ...

A joint operation between the UK Border Agency and Metropolitan Police and has led to eight major gang members being deported back to their home countries. Operation Bite identifies high harm individuals, many of whom are foreign national gang members, that the UK Border Agency steps in to detain and remove using immigration powers. A number of serious offenders involved in robbery, murder and kidnaps have been removed and several others placed in immigration detention while steps are taken to remove them. Expansion plans Dozens more gang members, as well as other 'high harm' offenders su...

Dozens of suspected gang members are being targeted today (Wednesday 8 February) in a series of coordinated operations which marks the start of a major new crack down on gang crime by the Metropolitan Police Service. Today's significant operation, which is being spearheaded by a newly formed Trident Gang Crime Command, sees the beginning of a step change in how the MPS tackles gang crime in the capital and forms a key part of the Met Commissioner's total war on crime. Hundreds of police officers will be taking part in today's operation which sees suspected gang members being pursued for a...

A consultation on strengthening the law on illegal firearms was launched by the Home Secretary today as part of the government’s drive to end gang and youth violence. The public, police, Crown Prosecution Service, victims groups, the judiciary, voluntary and community organisations will be asked their views on: the need for a new offence of possession of illegal firearms with intent to supply whether to increase the penalty for illegal importation of firearms Guns in gangs and organised crime The UK has some of the toughest gun laws in the world and as a result firearm offence...

The UK police capability to tackle the growing threat of cyber crime was strengthened today with the announcement of three regional policing e-crime hubs The new hubs, in Yorkshire and the Humber, the Northwest and in East Midlands, will be launched at the ACPO e-crime conference in Sheffield today. Cyber crime has been identified in the National Security Risk Assessment as a ‘tier one’ threat alongside international terrorism, an international military crisis, and a major accident or natural hazard requiring a national response. To meet the threat, the government has granted £30m over ...

Unlicensed security director Ernest Bewick has been ordered to pay more than half a million pounds from his business or face five years in jail. He provided security services to more than 100 pubs, clubs and hotels in Sunderland through his company Bewick Security, but did not hold the SIA licence required to work lawfully. Bewick, who was previously convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to six years in prison, had not applied for an SIA licence, the court heard. Following an investigation led by Northumbria Police and supported by the Security Industry Authority and HM Revenue and Custom...

Policing Minister Nick Herbert visits Portsmouth today to promote the arrival of Police and Crime Commissioners later this year. He will meet local authorities and criminal justice, voluntary, community safety and health organisations as part of preparations for the election in November. It's gives organisations a chance to raise questions about Police and Crime Commissioners ahead of the election later this year. Reform of a lifetime Nick Herbert Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice said: 'The arrival of Police and Crime Commissioners will be the most significant democratic re...

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has welcomed the Government’s decision to introduce the role of a ‘Senior Responsible Owner’ (SRO) to manage the relationship between Government and the private security industry. The newly-created role, which was announced as part of the Government’s publication of a new defence and security white paper, entitled New Security Through Technology, will provide an essential point of contact within Government for the private security industry, and will cut across government departments to ensure that the industry is suitably represente...

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) is pleased to announce the regional winners of this year’s Annual Security Personnel Awards. Now in their fourteenth year, the awards continue to recognise the excellent work and vital contribution that those working in the security industry are making across the country, and are presented in the following categories: Service to the Customer, Outstanding Act, Best Newcomer, Best Use of Technology and Best Team. Each of the regional winners will receive an award certificate at BSIA presentations that will take place in the coming months, and ...

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has launched a new guide for the construction sector intended to give Construction Site Managers an understanding of the techniques needed to secure these vulnerable sites. This includes a basic introduction to risk management and an overview of the practical solutions available. Chris Lawrence, Chairman of the British Security Industry Association’s (BSIA) Security Consultancies section, said: “Security breaches or poorly implemented security measures can have a number of negative effects on construction sites, including financial losses...