Logue Corporate assisted Churchill Services Group - providers of soft bundled services – with their acquisition of Knighthawk Security Limited, based in the South West.  This follows on from their recent acquisition of North East based IPC, Churchill Services Group - providers of soft bundled services - has announced the acquisition of Knighthawk Security Limited, based in the South West.  Logue Corporate’s Bobby Logue said: “Once again our industry focus has assisted our client in selecting the right target with the right geographical fit to develop their soft bundled services stra...

This week, Brian Sims and Bobby Logue will join forces with key industry stakeholders in sending a letter to the Home Secretary concerning the SIA’s future. Brian Sims – the Editor of SMT Online – and Infologue.com’s Editor Bobby Logue plan to approach the key security industry stakeholders in order to agree the content of a joint letter to be sent to Home Secretary Theresa May requesting her to allow them space to debate the future of the regulated security industry. Sims and Logue strongly believe that while a move towards ‘smarter regulation’ – characterised by lower costs a...

Over the weekend, Brian Sims and Bobby Logue garnered further industry opinion on the possible axing of the SIA. Here are some of the impassioned comments now being aired. Although now retired and no longer an active member of the security community, Bob Doyle – former commercial services director at Skills for Security – keeps a keen eye on developments. By his own admission, he was “somewhat taken aback” by last week’s reports on SMT Online and Infologue.com that the Home Secretary is considering deregulation of the industry, and wanted to add his thoughts to what has already bec...

The SIA, along with all other arms-length public bodies is subject to a review to determine whether we should continue to fulfil our current responsibilities. This review is being conducted centrally and across government. This is a decision for the Government and we cannot comment on speculation. We will continue to fulfil our duties under the Private Security Industry Act 2001 and the current law applies: any person undertaking licensable activities must hold and display a valid SIA licence. All ACS terms and conditions continue to apply. The Home Office has issued the following statement:...

Following on from yesterday’s joint statement by SMT Online and Infologue.com, the sector’s major bodies have now voiced their opinions on the future of the SIA. Brian Sims and Bobby Logue report. Having been contacted by SMT Online and Infologue.com, major stakeholders in the regulation arena – including The Security Institute, the BSIA, Skills for Security and NOCN – have all issued statements in the wake of the BBC News report concerning a leaked document from the Home Office which apparently makes comment about the possible future of the Security Industry Authority (SIA). A fuls...

SMT Online Editor Brian Sims and Bobby Logue – the Editor of Infologue.com – have written a joint statement following the BBC News story on the Regulator. Last night, a story on the BBC News web pages referred to a leaked Home Office document apparently suggesting that the Security Industry Authority (SIA) may face the axe as part of the Government’s drive to reduce red tape and costs in the public sector and regulation domains. When approached by the BBC, the Home Office response was not an emphatic denial. What followed was some carefully chosen wording (as reported on SMT Online/info...

The BBC claimed tonight that the Home Office is planning to scrap the Security Industry Authority (SIA) as part of the Government’s widely planned “Bonfire of the Quangos” which seeks to reduce cost, red tape and return accountability to the grass roots. “Abolishing the SIA will not save taxpayers money because it is largely self-financing, but a Home Office document, seen by the BBC, suggests the move would save security firms money and contribute to "reducing burdensome regulation.   The document suggests the industry has matured enough to police itself. “The BBC news report ...

Only accountable to those who can afford to pay and ineffective as public servants said some police chiefs; and a very important and credible resource that we have yet to make the most of said others. A new research report published today suggests the police service may have a resource in private security that could contribute to savings of up to £1 billion through collaboration and new ways of working as challenged by the Audit Commission and HMIC. Interviews with police chiefs suggest that while many feel there is untapped potential in using private security as a resource in this testing c...

Johnny Daniels (D:O:B: 11/07/73) of Cutler Heights Lane, Bradford, pleaded guilty at Bradford Crown Court yesterday (06/09/10), for money laundering and offences related to operating a business supplying unlicensed security guards to various building sites across the Bradford area. Recorder Babb sentenced Daniels to 12-months imprisonment for money laundering and six months, to run concurrently, for providing unlicensed staff under the Security Industry Act 2001. Under the Act, all security operatives must hold and display a valid SIA licence while working, and security directors must hold at ...

Home Secretary is 'delighted' at outcome of a test case which will see an Ethiopian man deported in the interests of national security. An individual known as XX who poses a threat to national security will be deported to Ethiopia, a court ruled today. The Special Immigration Appeals Court heard that Ethiopian national had attended an extremist camp in the UK, visited Somalia for extremist purposes and was closely associated with those involved in the 7/7 London bombings. Theresa May said: 'I am delighted that the court has agreed with us that it is safe to return this individual to Ethiop...