A recent a survey conducted by the SIA Small Business network found little opposition to the continuation of regulation of the private security industry. Equally importantly, over 90% of approximately 200 respondents favoured business registration with minimum standards in the regulated security sector. When asked “Are you happy with the current format and process of the ACS?” 58.5% responded they were happy whilst 40.5% said they were not. Of the positive responses to this question 26.2% would like to see an enhanced scheme being introduced. When it came to the question of who should cont...

The European Commission has approved Securitas' acquisition of Reliance Security Services in the United Kingdom. With this acquisition, Securitas will become the UK’s second largest security company in the regulated security sector, with annual sales of approximately £320 million and about 12,500 staff. As disclosed on September 30, 2010, Securitas will acquire Reliance Security Services in the United Kingdom, with annual sales of approximately MSEK 2,160 (MGBP 200). The enterprise value is estimated to MSEK 464 (MGBP 43). The acquisition will be consolidated into Securitas AB effective 9...

Last night, Baroness Henig, the Chairman of the Security Industry Authority (SIA), spoke passionately about lack of research and consultation behind the Government decision to axe the SIA during the Second Reading of the Public Bodies Bill in the House of Lords, in which the motion was agreed and the Bill committed to a Committee of the Whole House. Infologue.com believes the decision which has baffled all responsible stakeholders in the security industry appears to have been handled clumsily by the Government. The Baroness asked of the Minister responsible for the proposed demise of the SIA ...

The Security Industry Authority has joined the social networking site Twitter and encourages anyone operating in the private security industry to sign up to receive tweets. The SIA can be found on Twitter by searching for SIAuk. Robert Buxton, SIA Assistant Director of Marcoms, said: “We wanted a way of communicating directly with people who would not normally receive our emails or news releases. By following us on Twitter and receiving our tweets, anyone can keep up to date with the latest SIA news or important updates on the future of regulation. “We will post items on Twitter wheneve...

The Home Office has announced its business plan which sets out radical reform that will change the way that it is held accountable. The announcement continued; the Home Office business plan sets out a radical plan for reform that will change the way we’re held to account for the work we do. It sets out the action we will need to take over the next four years in order to achieve these reforms. The plan is key to achieving the government’s goal of redistributing power from governments to communities and people. It will give people a greater level of detail on the work government does and h...

As the days are getting shorter and the cold starts settling in, the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) is reminding homeowners of the importance of ensuring that their homes and possessions are protected this winter. Past events have proven that the risk of falling victim of crimes such as burglary increases during the cold season, as long hours of darkness make properties more vulnerable. However, simple and cost effective preventative measures can dramatically reduce the threat of houses being broken into. “Winter is the busiest time of the year for burglars,” says James Kel...

Angus Darroch-Warren was named as the recipient of the Wilf Knight Award 2010 at the recent Security Excellence Awards held in London, narrowly beating several other very high quality entries. This annual award was established by the Security Institute in 2009 to recognise distinction in academic study and in particular, academic contributions to the development of professional security management. The award is dedicated to the memory of the late Wilf Knight, who until his untimely passing three years ago, was one of the most respected security consultants in the professional sector. As well...

As Western airlines once again become the focus of terrorist threat, the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) is highlighting the ongoing importance of aviation security in the fight against extremism. A plot by Yemen-based members of terrorist group Al-Qaida to smuggle explosive materials within innocuous-looking printer cartridges on US cargo planes was uncovered late last week, causing authorities on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as in Yemen itself, to increase airport security. Closer to home, at Belfast International Airport, the police called Army bomb experts to examin...

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) is calling for a renewed focus on the licensing of in-house security personnel. "Many people will be shocked to discover that the same licensing law that applies to contracted-out security guards does not apply to those directly employed by a business or retailer to carry out security services on their premises. These staff are normally referred to as in-house security personnel." Says Bill Muskin, Chairman of the BSIA's Security Guarding Section. The BSIA lobbied tirelessly for the introduction of licensing to the private security indust...

The Government’s announcement on 14 October that there will be a phased transition to a new regulatory system was given a cautious welcome by the Security Alliance on 15 October.  Since then, the stakeholders in industry who formed that Alliance have met and agreed that they will act in a transparent and consensual way to reflect the security industry’s views as a single voice and will work with central and devolved governments, the current regulator and other partners to formulate the basis of the new regulation and regulatory body. In light of Government comments and discussion wit...