Massive investment in crime prevention has resulted in fewer incidents of most types of retail crime, according to new statistics but retailers have yet to reap the financial benefits. The British Retail Consortium's (BRC's) Retail Crime Survey 2010, published today (Monday), shows a welcome 11 per cent reduction in the overall number of offences (per 100 outlets) compared with the previous year. Shoplifting incidents were down 10.6 per cent though the total value of goods stolen was still up on the previous year. But the reduction has come at significant cost. In 2009/10, retailers were f...

A UK Border Agency sniffer dog has helped to stop seven would-be illegal immigrants from entering the country. Working with a team of officers, the body detection 'sniffer' dog discovered the men hiding in a lorry load of batteries destined for Bolton. The stowaways were refused entry to the UK and then handed over to the French Frontier Police on 5 January. The Polish registered lorry and Polish driver now each face a potential fine if they are found not to have taken adequate steps to secure the load. Good dog Buddy has previously uncovered stowaways on vehicles bound for the North West. ...

Police forces are a step closer to having equipment to test motorists suspected of drug driving, Home Office Minister James Brokenshire announced today. The Home Office has produced the specification for a new police station-based drug screening device. The document sets out what the device will do and the standards it must meet. Manufacturers will now submit devices to the Home Office for testing. If the specifications are met, a device could then be approved by the Home Secretary for use by police. Blood samples Once a screening device is approved, officers will be able to use it to te...

Securitas, hot on the heels of the acquisition of Reliance Security Services has agreed with UTC Fire & Security to acquire the security services company Chubb Security Personnel Limited in the United Kingdom. Enterprise value is estimated to £31 million. Annual sales of approximately £113 million and approximately 5,000 employees, Chubb Security Personnel is a leading manned guarding security services provider in the United Kingdom. The company has a well-diversified contract portfolio with a stable customer portfolio within guarding. In November 2010, Securitas acquired Reliance Secur...

An event to discuss future regulation of the private security industry is being held by the Security Industry Authority. The SIA conference – Phased Transition to a New Regulatory Regime – will take place in central London on Wednesday 30 March. It will provide the opportunity to discuss the phased transition, as announced by the Cabinet Office in October, and for the SIA to both inform and consult with stakeholders. The purpose of the conference is to consider plans and timelines for the transition, the future of regulation in the private security industry and security requirements for ...

People from the Home Office and its agencies have been recognised for making a difference, in the 2011 New Year Honours List. The list, which was published today, rewards ten exceptional members of staff from the Home Office, Identity and Passport Service and UK Border Agency for outstanding achievement and service. Honours have been awarded for a range of services including contributions through charity and community work and extraordinary dedication to public service. Honours Those who have been honoured with an MBE for making a real impact in their community or during service include: ...

Trials of a new approach for handling complaints of antisocial behaviour (ASB) were unveiled today by crime prevention minister James Brokenshire. Eight police force areas will change the way they respond to calls, including a new system of logging complaints and improving the use of IT to share information, that will help to quickly identify and protect vulnerable victims. Differing approaches to recording complaints of ASB and identifying repeat victims has seen too many people slip through the cracks, their plight overlooked by the authorities. Minister's statement James Brokenshire sa...

“2010 may be remembered as the year that the security industry spoke with a united voice,” writes Justin Bentley the Chief Executive of IPSA in the fourth 2010 Infologue.com annual review series, “but it is the unsung backroom heroes at the security associations that should receive the credit. “Even before the IPSA AGM held on the HMS Belfast back in June, members were discussing the possible ramifications of the new Government on the Security Industry Authority. When news broke of a leaked document which indicated an end to the licensing body, we were the first to declare the i...

In our fourth article in our of the Infologue.com 2010 in review series, David Greer, Chief Executive of Skills for Security, looks at Skills achievements during the year. David Greer writes; “The swift and concerted response to the threatened demise of the SIA in September led me to consider the level of co-operation and partnership working we now enjoy within this industry. Skills for Security has this year joined forces on successful projects with organisations across the security industry and beyond." “In response to the new, modular SIA licence to practise training, we have devel...

In our 2010 Infologue.com annual review series the first feature is a review by Security Industry Authority (SIA) Chairman Baroness Ruth Henig - It has certainly been a year of change for the SIA; the Government announcement of a ‘transition to a new regulatory regime’ has presented new challenges for the organisation and it now begins to work with the industry to shape the future of regulation of private security. SIA Chairman Baroness Ruth Henig looks back at the past twelve months.  Compliance and enforcement  We saw a successful start to 2010 as the SIA won the long-running ca...