The first checks on security guards and CCTV operatives working in Northern Ireland took place yesterday [10 December] – ten days after SIA licensing came into effect. Five teams of SIA investigators visited 35 sites across Belfast, Londonderry, Lisburn, Newry, Craigavon, Antrim and Ballymena. This included government sites, shopping centres, construction sites, retail stores, commercial and industrial sites, car parks and warehouses. On 1 December 2009 it became an offence in Northern Ireland to work in designated security roles without a valid Security Industry Authority licence. During t...

Today at Southwark Crown Court, the final member of a violent gang who committed a number of robberies against cash in transit (CTI) couriers was jailed for his part in these crimes. Thomas Pulhofer, aged 21 was jailed for seven years on Friday 4th December at Southwark Crown Court, for a series of violent 'strangulation' robberies; two cash-in-transit robbery offences; and one aggravated taking and driving away offence.It is understood that Pulhofer was the final member of a gang involved in a series of violent robberies on CIT couriers in the UK.  Earlier this year, Christopher Ryan and N...

In Northern Ireland, the International Professional Security Association (IPSA) has noted that it is member companies of IPSA and the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), the two UK associations for security companies, that have achieved the quality mark of the Security Industry Authority’s voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS). In order to pass the inspection for the ACS, companies have to demonstrate compliance with the relevant industry standards and a quality scheme covering key aspects of the management of the company, its relationship with both employees and clients and ...

As licensed premises and the retail sector renew their efforts to combat underage drinking, the British Security Industry Association's Leisure Industry Security Section, which represents door supervision companies, is lending its support to the nationwide Challenge 21 and Challenge 25 schemes. BSIA Leisure Industry Security Section Chairman, Tony Clarke, comments: "Challenge 21 and Challenge 25 schemes are an important means of preventing underage drinking all year round and become even more essential during the festive season. Door supervisors have a vital part to play in ensuring that li...

Pub, bar and club goers across the North East are being asked to watch out for unlicensed door staff in a series of radio adverts launched this week. The Security Industry Authority is using radio advertising for the first time to raise public awareness of SIA licensing, and to highlight that door supervisors are qualified and trained security professionals. The adverts are being rolled out across the North East of England, an area known for its diverse and vibrant nightlife. The adverts encourage members of the public to check door staff are displaying an SIA licence, and, where they are not,...

The British Security Industry Association's (BSIA) Export Council welcomed Mojisola Fayokun, UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) Nigeria's trade development manager, to their section meeting yesterday to discuss security opportunities in the country. In an excellent presentation, Mojisola outlined the various opportunities available for the UK security industry in Nigeria, ranging from the financial and construction industry to the energy sector. With the economy proving stronger compared to this time last year and the country experiencing a consumer middle-class boom, Nigeria is a country that...

Today, compulsory licensing and regulation of the private security industry in Northern Ireland comes into force. It is now illegal to operate in the designated security sectors (such as door supervision, vehicle immobilisation and security guarding) without holding a Security Industry Authority licence. The SIA’s extension into Northern Ireland creates a single consistent licensing scheme for the private security industry throughout the United Kingdom. Alongside this, the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme has also been introduced for private security suppliers. The ACS raises standards i...

Skills for Security has accredited a unique Security Search Operations programme developed by Status Training. This four day course has been created to enable trainers to train teams of security personnel to carry out thorough, systematic searches of people, vehicles, premises and open spaces in support of specific events or as part of everyday security operations. Peter Smith, CEO of Status Training, developed the course using his many years experience of conducting specialist police search operations, developing an expertise which culminated in his appointment as Head of the Police National...

The Regional Minister for the West Midlands, Ian Austin MP, today officially opened the Skills for Security Technical Training Centre in Birmingham. The ceremony was attended by senior representatives from the British Security Industry Association, the Fire Industry Association and a number of employers. The centre caters for apprentices who are studying to become qualified fire or security installation and maintenance engineers, and has already enrolled 57 young adults, each of whom receives additional practical training in the workplace from their employer. After opening the Centre the Minis...

Michael Burke, Director of Research & Development at Skills for Security, has been elected to the post of Vice Chair of the Sector Skills Body Forum. Sector Skills Bodies (SSBs) are organisations that work to promote skills development in their respective sectors. Unlike Sector Skills Councils, SSBs are not funded by government and have to be self financing. These 22 organisations represent 5 million people in occupations ranging from hairdressing to security. They meet together under the umbrella of the SSB Forum, working to ensure that each sector’s skills and qualification needs are g...