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...

Proposals for tough new measures to crack down on problem premises and give more powers for local communities were unveiled by the government today. Ahead of a major speech on anti-social behaviour Home Secretary Theresa May outlined a range of options to overhaul the Licensing Act. Measures for consultation include: making it easier for communities to have their say on local licensing by allowing local authorities to consider the views of the wider community, not just those living close to premises taking tough action against underage drinking by doubling the fine to £20,000 for...

Ongoing enforcement work to tackle knife-crime and serious youth violence in the capital was seen first-hand by the Home Secretary Theresa May today. Joined by London Mayor Boris Johnson, the Home Secretary observed police action against knife crime in West Croydon’s bus station. As part of work by Croydon Borough Police to reduce serious violence amongst young people in the town centre, the operation uses plain-clothed and uniformed officers to create a strong presence in the area and search arches to check travellers for hidden weapons. Home Secretary Theresa May said: “The police here ...

The list of finalists for the UK Security Industry Oscars, officially known as the 2010 Security Excellence Awards, has been announced by United Business Media Live Division’s Security Portfolio. The finalists chosen from 236 high quality entrants, proves the UK Security Industry is alive and well. The winners will be announced at a gala dinner at the London Hilton Hotel on the 21st of October 2010. Security Guarding Company of the Year In the much coveted Security Guarding Company of the Year, previous winners The Shield Guarding Company and VSG are joined by an array of quality companies...

Applicants for SIA licences can now fill in their form online with the e-Fill service introduced by the Security Industry Authority. e-Fill has been designed to make it easier and quicker for applicants to complete their application form. It also has built in verification to reduce the likelihood of the form being completed incorrectly and returned to the applicant. Applicants fill in the form online, then print, sign and post it manually along with the required supporting documents. Users register on the SIA website and log in to use the service. If they have previously submitted an applicat...

A radical new programme of reform to change the face of policing and re-establish the link between the police and the public, tackle organised crime and protect our borders was unveiled by the Home Secretary yesterday. Policing in the 21st Century: Reconnecting Police and the People sets out how the police service in England and Wales will become more accountable to the public and responsive to local people, more focused at a national level and more effective at tackling crime, as well as providing better value for money. Key elements of the new strategy include: first election of police...

“We are pleased to report that this financial year has seen good progress across all areas of the Security Industry Authority’s work. We have continued to improve our regulatory operations and support services and have established a sound platform to support the delivery of an efficient service for our customers and effective regulation to support public safety. We have been particularly pleased that, throughout the year, licences have been issued to those working in the private security industry well within our target times. We also recognise that we need that sound platform to meet the c...

Churchill Contract Services Group, the Hertfordshire based cleaning and related B2B services provider has acquired the Newcastle based IPC Security (Formerly known as St James Security) and its sister events company Touchline Event Management. Churchill Contract Services Group is a national provider of cleaning and other related business services, operating across all sectors, with a current £35million turnover. "This acquisition is very exciting for Churchill, and enhances our offer to our clients," stated Joel Briggs, Managing Director of Churchill Contract Services Group.  “IPC and T...