Over 160 directors and managers from security companies in the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) enjoyed a series of industry briefings organised by the Government’s Office for Security & Counter-Terrorism (OSCT) in London on Wednesday 10 February 2010. The briefings were attended by representatives from the BSIA’s Security Guarding, Cash and Valuables in Transit (CVIT) and Police & Public Services sections and were arranged exclusively for security companies providing frontline security staff to guard crowded places and protect the critical national infrastructure.Foll...

A director of a security company has been fined for failing to provide information about his company to the Security Industry Authority. At Edinburgh Sheriff Court on 8 February 2010 Prinz Patrick Ukonga, 44, pleaded guilty to failing to provide information to the SIA when requested – an offence under the Private Security Industry Act 2001. Ukonga, of Tranet, East Lothian, was director of Znrip Top Security Limited based in Edinburgh, which supplied door staff to pubs and clubs in the area. It is no longer operating. The SIA received intelligence that Ukonga was supplying unlicensed door ...

Globalisation, and particularly cheaper electronic goods from China and the Far East, has altered behaviour among Britain’s burglars according research in progress at the University of Leicester. James Treadwell, a lecturer in Criminology from the University of Leicester’s Department of Criminology suggests that the incredible rise of the new superpower has made burglars ‘redundant’ due to the decline in cost of household goods traditionally targeted by thieves. Treadwell is currently researching how crime has changed over time. He commented: “The last decade has been a remarkable o...

One in five employers are hiring more apprentices to help them through the tough economic climate, but why? Research undertaken on behalf of the National Apprenticeship Service has shown that there are a number of business benefits to hiring an apprentice. These range from apprenticeships increasing productivity to gaining competitive advantage from having highly skilled workers. Apprenticeships develop a workforce that has both the technical knowledge and the practical skills that your business needs and your customers demand. They can make your organisation more effective, productive and co...

The SIA has set up an online questionnaire for those working in the private investigations industry to share their views. The SIA plans to license private investigation activities and wishes to gather information about the sector. For example, the type of activities individuals/companies engage in, their awareness of the SIA and their thoughts on regulation. The SIA will use this feedback as a starting point to obtain information about the sector before licensing is introduced in order to identify changes to the industry as a result of regulation. Plans to license private investigations were ...

Motorists across England, Wales and Northern Ireland could soon challenge unfair practice by wheel clamping firms through independent tribunals, Home Office Minister Alan Campbell announced today. Members of the public who claim they have been unfairly clamped will be able to take their grievance to the independent tribunals. Appeals will be heard by powerful and independent adjudicators who will have the power to require clamping companies pay back excessive fees to motorists and award compensation. The policy has been tabled as an amendment to the new Crime and Security Bill. Firms will als...

It with regret and profound sadness that Infologue.com records the passing of Jorgen Philip-Sorensen CBE, MA who died on Monday in Switzerland aged 71. A leader and visionary who created so many industry benchmarks that we consider today as standard, especially in the area of frontline training and management development. Never satisfied Philip Sorensen pressed for higher industry standards throughout his life. He founded and funded the first residential training school in the British Security Industry. Yesterday current industry leaders paid their tributes to Philip Sorensen; “Philip was u...

G4S Secure Solutions (‘G4S’) has announced the appointment of Steve Bailey as Managing Director of its newly formed Employment Screening and Vetting division. Steve will be responsible for developing the business into a market leader in the global screening industry. G4S’s Employment Screening and Vetting division enables customers to significantly reduce the risk and impact of taking on an unsuitable candidate, or failing to check the status of existing employees and contractors. Steve is one of Europe’s leading authorities on employee recruitment and vetting and is the founder and f...

The fifth Vehicle Immobiliser Network meeting will be held in Enfield on Tuesday 16 March 2010. The meeting is being organised and facilitated by Newline Securities Ltd with the full support of the SIA. The event is an opportunity for those working in the vehicle immobilisation sector to engage with the SIA and others in their industry. Delegates will be able to discuss and explore issues about the industry and regulation. The event forms part of the SIA’s stakeholder engagement strategy and follows the successes of the meetings held in January and November 2008, and March and September 200...

Security manager Chris Morgan was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours list in recognition of his work reducing crime in and around Aberafan shopping centre and tackling anti-social behaviour in the town centre. Chris has worked for OCS’ security team since 2002, joining the company as a temporary security guard in 2002 and quickly becoming a permanent security guard with promotion to security manager in 2003. “This is the proudest moment for me professionally.  I’m over the moon,” said Chris.  Since 2003, he has helped the shopping centre win several national awards, includin...