SIA chairman Ruth Henig outlined plans for future regulation at the SIA conference held at the Honourable Artillery Company in central London yesterday [March 30]. Ruth Henig told delegates: “Today’s conference marks the beginning of a new phase in the evolution of regulation.” She called for views and input during the transition to new regulation, to ensure the SIA, the private security industry and the Government work together to shape the future regime. She told the 200-strong audience: “We have a real opportunity to reshape regulation, to further drive up standards and reduce the ...

'Front line' definition by Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary will help forces prioritise says minister. A report out today (The front line and police visibility) which helps define the front line has been described by Nick Herbert as being 'a significant step' in helping forces protect vital services while making financial savings. Following a request by the policing minister, members of the public and police representatives were asked by Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary (HMIC) about what they considered to be 'front line' work. Forces were also asked to determine the ...

A radical new approach to community activism that will see people reclaiming their streets, tackling local issues and improving their environment was set out in a report published by Baroness Newlove yesterday. The government's Champion for Active Safer Communities has detailed what residents, businesses, local agencies and central government can do to begin a generational shift in the country's approach to activism and tackling neighbourhood crime. The report, 'Our Vision for Safe and Active Communities', calls for a change of culture so neighbourhoods no longer see crime, antisocial be...

The rural idyll of the village as the last bastion of Englishness is in keeping with the beliefs, hopes and aspirations of many country people, claim researchers from the University of Leicester. In the wake of the Midsomer Murders furore about notions of Englishness and village life - and the start of a new series of the fictional show - researchers reveal that racism is rife in the English countryside. Researchers from the Department of Criminology at the University of Leicester found opinions and values – which equate the countryside exclusively and unthinkingly with white Englishness...

The Security Alliance and its constituent members have welcomed the Government decision to remove the Security Industry Authority (SIA) from the Public Bodies Bill, writes Bobby Logue on behalf of SMT Online and Infologue.com.The effect of this decision is that the SIA will continue in its current form until the form and structure of a new regulatory regime has been finalised. At this stage new legislation will be introduced. James Kelly, Chairman of the Security Alliance, commented: "This announcement signifies the success of six months of liaison and lobbying activity on behalf of the priv...

The private security industry has come under considerable international scrutiny due to the highly publicized role it has played in Afghanistan and Iraq.  Attention has mostly focused on questions concerning governmental oversight and these companies’ accountability according to the Small Arms Survey, an independent research project located at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, Switzerland, writes Bobby Logue.  Private Security Companies’ Firearms Stockpiles is based on a forthcoming chapter from the Small Arms Survey 2011 yearbook which examines p...

Baroness Ruth Henig, Chairman of the Security Industry Authority, who has campaigned tirelessly to ensure a smooth transition of the regulator towards smarter regulation, has issued a statement today. Ruth Henig said in her statement; “The Government's announcement yesterday that the SIA is being removed from Schedule 1 of the Public Bodies Bill will be welcomed across the private security industry.(The SIA’s future: SIA removed from Quango hit list) The Government's intention is to bring forward new legislation to develop and replace the SIA's regulatory regime. This shows a welcome c...

Late last night the House of Lords passed an amendment to the Public Bodies Bill which removed the Security Industry Authority (SIA) from the schedule of Quangos set to be abolished, reports Bobby Logue on behalf of SMT Online and Infologue.com. The amendment removes the Security Industry Authority from the list of public bodies that the Government can abolish by secondary legislation. The Minister of State, Home Office, Baroness Neville-Jones told the Lords that it remained the Government’sclear intention to abolish the SIA in its present form and transfer the powers to a new regulatory reg...

Addressing officers at the session in Coventry yesterday, the minister explained that collaboration will play a key part in delivering the government's vision for police reform. He said that while merging forces – to create 'regional super forces' – is not planned, forces cannot operate in silos. 'As I’ve said before, the era of 43 independent policing fiefdoms is over. Forces need to work together to save money, improve resilience and strengthen the fight against serious and cross-boundary crime,' he explained. Read his speech in full here. Mr Herbert explained that police and...

Contracted Security Officers started patrolling the Victoria CSAS zone this week with limited but targeted police powers this week issued by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS). The 15 security officers from Ultimate Security Services will be accredited with limited powers under the Police Reform Act 2002. Under the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS)  which came into effect on Monday this week, the MPS has agreed to designate the following police powers to Ultimate Security Services which include: Power to request a name and address for fixed penalty notices and offences ...