The process of background checking more than 380,000 Games time workers, athletes and officials ahead of next summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games has begun, the Home Office announced today. All athletes, officials, workers and media who require access to Olympic and Paralympic venues in the summer of 2012 will be accredited. As part of this process they will undergo immigration, criminal record and security checks to help ensure the safety and the security of the games. The Home Office is carrying out these checks on behalf of The London organising committee of the olympic and paralympic...

There are encouraging trends around peoples’ awareness of neighbourhood policing teams across the country, as well as increases in their confidence to contact police to ensure the service is more accessible and responsive to local concerns. ACPO lead on performance management Chief Constable Steve Finnigan said: “The police service is acutely aware of the importance of ensuring the public have confidence in the work that we do to keep them safe from harm. “The supplementary British Crime Survey figures which have been released today remain a key indicator to measure public confidence i...

A minimum salary of between £18,600 and £25,700 before tax should be introduced for UK residents sponsoring a partner or dependent for citizenship, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) recommended today. The MAC was asked to identify a salary that would prevent any sponsor, their spouse or their dependents from becoming a burden on the state. The MAC was asked by the government to consider what the minimum income threshold should be for a British resident sponsoring a spouse, partner or dependent for settlement in the UK under the family route. This was part of the government's review o...

A new power to temporarily control potentially harmful new drugs came into effect overnight, alongside an importation ban on two substances closely linked to chemicals found in ‘legal high’ brand ‘Ivory Wave’. Today’s importation ban covers Diphenylprolinol (D2PM) and diphenylmethyl-pyrrolidine. The ban means the UK Border Agency will have the power to seize and destroy any shipments of the substances at UK borders. The temporary control power gives the Home Secretary the authority to place an instant ban on any substance deemed potentially harmful while the Advisory Council on th...

On Wednesday 2nd November, First Security, part of Interserve, held its inaugural security forum at Vintners Hall, London. With almost 70 attendees from across the industry, the team took the opportunity to share industry updates and network with other security professionals. This thought provoking forum covered security related topics from ‘identity, loyalty and security’ to ‘law and liability, defensible decision-making’ with the presentations aimed at widening and stimulating attendees views on the issues currently effecting their security demands. John Briggs, First Security Op...

The Security Institute’s third annual Remembrance Lecture was held on Thursday 10th November kindly hosted at the prestigious offices of Allen & Overy in Bishop’s Square, London. The lecture is a key date in the Institute’s calendar, when members and guests pause to remember and celebrate our heroes, both past and present. Members and guests arrived early to enjoy a drink and network with others before the lecture started. First on the agenda was a warm welcome from The Security Institute Chairman, Mike Bluestone, shortly followed by the presentation of certificates. The...

The Metropolitan Police Safer Transport Command (STC), British Transport Police (BTP), and Transport for London (TfL) are continuing to crack down on pickpockets on public transport in the capital. Teams of uniformed and plain clothes officers from the MPS and BTP, funded by TfL, are carrying out three days of policing action with particular emphasis on engagement with the public to tackle pickpockets and further reduce theft on the transport system. The 'days of action' run from 10-12 November 2011 and will see STC and BTP Police Officers conducting operations at various locations through...

Deputy Commissioner Tim Godwin has announced that he will retire from the Metropolitan Police Service after more than 30 years service He will be leaving the MPS in the New Year to take up a new role in the private sector. Tim Godwin joined the Metropolitan Police from Sussex Police in 1999 as a Commander and has since been promoted through the ranks to his current position as Deputy Commissioner. He is the national police lead on criminal justice issues - driving up standards, efficiency, and effectiveness, and reforming systems through the introduction of virtual courts, quicker...

As the scrap value of lead continues to increase, churches are being encouraged to improve their security measures as the recession drives incidents of metal theft to a record high. With this in mind, the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) and Lead Sheet Association (LSA) have teamed up to provide some practical advice on protecting churches and faith buildings this winter. With churchyards often secluded or left unattended for long hours, both day and night, churches are often seen as ‘easy pickings’ for thieves, who steal valuable lead from church roofs to sell on at a high pr...

A shift in public perception of CCTV has been revealed by a recent survey conducted by a member of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA). With World Town Planning Day and the three-month anniversary of the devastating riots that affected the country in August both falling today, the BSIA is reminding town planners, local authorities and community safety groups of the pivotal role played by the surveillance system in the protection of public spaces and communities. Despite historical controversy around the use of CCTV systems to ensure the protection of the general public and inf...