Infologue.com editor, Bobby Logue, recently interviewed exclusively Hazel Russell, Transition Director of the Security Industry Authority (SIA) who is retiring from the SIA at the end of January 2012. Russell, who is generally credited for the planned re-engineering of the regulatory regime, spoke about the decision to make strategic changes long before the so-called “Bonfire of the Quangos” announcement: “We had been doing our strategic planning and had recognised that whilst the regulatory regime that had been put in place over those six years was fairly widely acknowledged as bo...

Good news for the New Year was heard today when it was learned that Shield's security consultant Paul Eskreitt was named in the Queen's New Year Honours List and is to receive an M.B.E. Paul served for 32 years with the City of London Police rising to the rank of Chief Superintendent. During his service he commanded all three police stations in the City of london as well as working at senior level in the Economic Crime Department and other operational roles. Paul has taken a number of key roles in responding to major incidents and in 1993, whilst Divisional Commander at Bishopsgate Police ...

One year on from its launch, the interactive website police.uk now features incidents of crime and antisocial behaviour recorded at all train stations and railway networks across England and Wales. Communities will also start to see incidents that occurred on or near a range of additional local sites including shopping areas, nightclubs, hospitals, parks and parking areas. Information is power Nick Herbert, Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice, said: 'Our crime mapping website is continuing to evolve and revolutionise the way people access crime data. 'The public appetite is clear ...

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) is returning this week to the Home Office’s premier security equipment event – Security and Policing 2012 – for the third consecutive year. The event, which takes place in Farnborough from 30th January to 2nd February, is the UK's only secure event for displaying the latest security equipment for law enforcement and public security, with exhibitors carefully selected following a stringent application procedure. The exhibition is attended by police forces both from the UK and worldwide, including Chief Constables and their department rep...

Cash payments for scrap metal will be banned and penalties increased, the Home Secretary Theresa May announced today, as the government stepped up action against the growing menace of metal theft. In a statement to Parliament, the Home Secretary said the government intends to lay an urgent amendment to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill to: create a new criminal offence to prohibit cash payments to purchase scrap metal; and significantly increase the fines for all offences under the existing Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964 that regulates the scrap metal recycl...

The SIA have produced a factsheet that outlines the latest proposals for the future regulation of the private security industry. The document outlines the key components of future regulation: a new regulatory body outside government; the licensing of businesses; the registration of individuals who are fit and proper to work in the private security industry; underpinned by effective compliance and enforcement. Formal proposals will go out to public consultation in 2012 and will be subject to final approval from the Home Office - future regulation in Scotland and Northern Ireland will be...

Members of the British Security Industry Association's Export Council, who exhibited at last week's Intersec 2012 exhibition in Dubai, are reporting a record level of visitor interest in the wide range of innovative UK security solutions, from integrated systems to access control, CCTV and intruder alarm technology, on display during the show. Now that member companies have had the opportunity to analyse the leads generated from Intersec 2012 - the 14th time the BSIA has taken part - it is shaping up to be the most successful edition yet when it comes to building links and generating bu...

The effective implementation of SIA licensing in Northern Ireland was highlighted by SIA chairman Ruth Henig when she spoke before the Committee for Justice in Belfast today [26 Jan]. Members of the SIA board visited Belfast this week, meeting with the Minister for Justice David Ford MLA, and holding a board meeting. Ruth Henig also appeared before the Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Justice to give an overview of the organisation’s work, specifically outlining the work with partners such as the Department of Justice and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, and the success of co...

Tents and camping equipment will be banned from Olympic venues Home Secretary Theresa May announced today. Speaking at a conference on Olympic security and safety, Home Secretary Theresa May said the plans would prevent encampment protests similar to those seen in recent months in the capital. Plans to stop protest encampments The Home Secretary said strict security and screening measures would stop camping equipment being brought into Olympic venues and that police would act swiftly to deal with anyone who tried to flout the ban. She said: 'Our aim is to deliver a safe and secure London ...

Speaking at the RUSI Olympic Security conference Home Secretary Theresa May said the police will be the “lead agency” in charge of Olympic security. The police will be working with LOCOG, the fire and ambulance service and the private security industry. Theresa May continued: "The 2012 London olympic and paralympic games will be the greatest sporting event in British history - an event of which the whole nation can be proud. This summer we will welcome athletes from around the world to our shores. 10,500 olympic athletes from 205 national olympic committees and 4,200 paralympic athle...