The regional winners of the British Security Industry Association’s Annual Security Officer Awards 2009 have been announced and once again highlight the vital contribution security officers are making across the country. Recognising excellence within the security guarding sector of the industry, the awards are presented in the following categories: Service to the Customer, Outstanding Act, Best Newcomer, Best Use of Technology and Best Team. John Bates, Chief Executive of the British Security Industry Association, comments: "Security officers work in a variety of diverse and challenging en...

With tens of millions of customers in more than 150 countries, Bank of America is one of the world’s largest financial institutions. Small wonder that when the Bank reviewed its security requirements for all regions outside of the USA, it was looking for a security partner capable of providing much more than basic everyday services. After an exhaustive market evaluation, it found that VSG, the UK’s fastest growing company in the security sector, was an ideal match for its needs. Key to the decision to appoint VSG was the company’s proven experience with blue-chip clients in providing a v...

Compass Group announced to the London Stock Exchange today that it bought VSG from Lloyds Development Capital and management for a cash consideration of £64 million on a debt free basis.  VSG had revenues for the year ended 31 March 2010 of £121.3 million. Current annualised turnover is estimated turnover is estimated by Infologue.com at £150 million. This move which is set to underpin the continued growth and development of the VSG business as the UK’s premier provider of security services.  The partnership reinforces the Compass strategy to establish itself as a leading presence in t...

More than 200 licences have been suspended by the SIA following alleged malpractice at London-based training centre Tristar. The licence holders all had Door Supervision qualifications from Leyton-based centre Tristar. A specified qualification must be passed before the SIA licence can be applied for. Awarding body Edexcel withdrew the ‘Level 2 BTEC Award in Door Supervision’ certificates issued by Tristar, and removed it as an accredited centre. Because their qualifications have been withdrawn, 211 licence holders no longer meet SIA licensing criteria, which states that a specified quali...

Wheel clamping on private land will be banned in England and Wales, the Government announced today. The ban will be introduced in the Government’s Freedom Bill in November and will come into force shortly after Royal Assent. Once in place, anyone who clamps a vehicle or tows it away on private land will face tough penalties. Home Office minister Lynne Featherstone said: 'The government is committed to ending the menace of rogue private sector wheel-clampers once and for all. For too long motorists have fallen victim to unscrupulous tactics by many clamping firms. Reports of motorists being...

Kingdom Security has acquired the Southern based company, Alamo Security. The acquisition includes £4.5 million turnover, approximately 7,000 guarding hours and a large volume of mobile patrols, key holding and remote CCTV monitoring service provisions in London and the South East plus the retention of a London office (Canning Road, Stratford, London. E15 3ND) and a management support team. The current customer portfolio and security staff will integrate into the Kingdom portfolio and the acquisition is in line with the Kingdom strategy to compliment excellent organic growth with selective n...

The next Small Business Network meeting will be held on 4 October in central London. The meeting is being organised and facilitated by representatives from the network, with the support of the SIA. It is open to delegates working for, or managing, small businesses with up to 250 employees. The network meeting will be an opportunity to discuss and explore issues about the industry and regulation, and engage with the SIA and others in the industry. Places are limited and there will be a small cost to cover catering. If you would like to attend the meeting please visit www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk...

Overall, licensing has had a positive impact on the private security industry, a study published today by the Security Industry Authority has found. However, a worrying level of violence against security operatives was reported, with further work by the SIA already underway to investigate this. The Impact of Regulation research studied the Door Supervision and Security Guarding sectors. It was commissioned by the SIA to measure the industry’s view of the longer term impact SIA licensing and create an up-to-date picture of the state of the industry as a result of licensing and associated trai...

Leading support services provider OCS Group UK Limited has acquired the business and assets of Legion Group plc and Legion FM Limited from John Whitfield, Paul Williams and Paul Clark of MCR in their capacity of administrators of the companies. The deal adds around 500 new clients to OCS’s existing security business. It also secures a future for 2,800 Legion staff and service continuity for customers following the company being placed into administration earlier this week. The agreement sees OCS take control of all Legion assets including contract turnover in excess of £50 million covering...

The opening of two new wings at Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) will make it Europe’s largest, immigration minister Damian Green announced today. The unveiling of additional detention space comes as the UK Border Agency is intensifying enforcement activity across the country to crackdown on illegal working, sham marriages, bogus colleges and organised immigration crime.The new high security accommodation is ready for use, and at full capacity it will house 364 of the UK Border Agency’s most difficult detainees, significantly enhancing the new government’s ability to re...