New legislation on corporate manslaughter has dramatically raised the potential costs to businesses that fail to adequately protect their staff and customers. That was the stark message from Nicole Vazquez, a consultant with the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, which campaigns to raise awareness of the issues around lone workers. Ms Vazquez, addressing an audience of business delegates at a Reliance Security Services conference in London on 3 March 2009, cited the example of the Hatfield train crash in which four people died. Network Rail was fined around £3m for the accident, but recent changes to legis...

The British Security Industry Association’s Annual Apprentice Installer Awards showcase the high standards and professionalism of young apprentices in the private security industry, and are a unique opportunity for young rising stars to be acknowledged as part of an unmissable event. Tim Geddes, BSIA Security Systems Section Chairman and Chairman of the Judges, comments: “Each year these industry awards recognise the huge strides young apprentices are making towards a successful career within the security industry, demonstrating professionalism, commitment and vast potential in their role...

SSAIB is again expanding its inspection and auditing team with the addition of Lynn Watts-Plumpkin as Scheme Manager and Dave Roscoe as ARC Specialist and Inspector. Lynn is primarily responsible for the management and development of SSAIB’s involvement in the Monitoring Schemes and the Security Guarding Schemes, including the SIA Approved Contractor Scheme and the Private Security Authority (PSA) Contractor and Employee Licensing Schemes, which operates in the Republic of Ireland. Lynn’s experience and qualifications will enhance SSAIB’s expertise in ISO 9000, Environmental Management a...

The latest statistics from the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) show that attacks against cash-in-transit couriers remain a serious problem, despite the criminal standing a significant chance of getting caught. Industry, Government and the Police are acting with renewed vigour and absolute determination to combat cash-in-transit (CIT) attacks during 2009. 2008 saw 1000 attacks against cash-in-transit couriers, a reduction of 6% compared to 2007. However the second half of the year saw attacks rise significantly regardless of the ongoing commitment of Police, Home Office and the ind...

Counter terrorism and business continuity issues will be the focus of the 14th annual Manchester Security 2009 event which will educate businesses on how to rise to the challenge in a society facing changing crime trends. The event, which will be held on Tuesday 31st March at New Century Hall, Corporation Street, Manchester, will be opened by Chief Constable Peter Fahy and will play host to a seminar programme including speakers from the Counter Terrorism Unit and the Economic Crime Section at Greater Manchester Police and a presentation from the Manchester Business Continuity Forum. The openi...

From the 1 April 2009 Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) approval via the Passport Certificate route will be available to firms from SSAIB. Firms seeking ACS approval will have a choice of three routes: 1) The current standard ACS route. Using this option, firms complete the Self-Assessment Workbook (SAW) before making an application to the SIA for approval. SIA approve or reject the application having reviewed the report of a verification inspection body (such as SSAIB), who evaluate the applicant company against its claims in the SAW. 2) This option includes the above, but allows in addition ...

Three pub managers without the mandatory SIA licence were found to be unlawfully employing door staff during checks in Scunthorpe on Friday [20 Feb]. 18 licensed premises were visited by the SIA, Humberside Police and North Lincolnshire Council as part of an operation to check that staff at the venues held SIA licences. By law, all door staff must hold a frontline SIA licence and display this while working. If they are employed directly by a venue as staff member, rather than through a contractor, the manager must hold a non-frontline licence. Of the 38 individuals checked, all of the door sta...

In January Bobby Logue raised an important question, asking for the SIA to release the critical independent delivery review, which had led to the departure of the then SIA CEO Mike Wilson [Infologue article: https://www.infologue.com/news/infologue-opinion-sia-needs-to-come-clean-on-independent-delivery-review/]. At a recent IPSA meeting, members brought up the lack of openness of the SIA and requested the International Council to publicise their concerns. The SIA has since released two documents, both written by themselves, a summary of the review [The SIA Delivery Review: Strengthening our C...

The SIA today published the findings and recommendations of the recent Delivery Review of the organisation, and outlined the resulting action plan already in progress. The internal review was commissioned by the Home Office and SIA Board to inform how the SIA is equipped to meet both today’s delivery objectives and the challenges of the future. The independent reviewers acknowledged the SIA’s important contribution to public safety through regulation of the private security industry, while suggesting areas for development. Chief Executive Bernard Herdan said: “Team members have taken pe...

The British Security Industry Association was amongst the attendees at the Home Secretary's summit on burglary reduction yesterday. The summit, entitled 'Real Help for People in Hard Times' was chaired by Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, and was attended by organisations including: ACPO, ABI, Age Concern, NUS and Neighbourhood Watch, aiming to find new innovative ways of preventing burglary. John Bates, BSIA Chief Executive, comments: "The private security industry has played a significant role in bringing down burglary by 55% since 1997* through the installation of intruder alarms, physic...