Corps Security has just released the findings of a new report, conducted under commission by Perpetuity Research, on why security officers have one of the highest death rates from Covid-19. This report follows the announcement in May by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) that the death rate among security officers Is 45.7 deaths per 100,000 people, one of the highest in the UK. The full report, which you can download using the link below, can be summarized in to the following 7 key points: There appears to be a correlation between low-paid professions and Cov-19 death rates. Secur...

During the Covid-19 pandemic, security officers have been performing critical roles in hospitals, food distribution warehouses, and supermarkets around the country without the wide-recognition afforded those they have been working shoulder to shoulder with. They have also been protecting the closed stores, empty office buildings and factories against would-be looters ensuring that we have something to reopen when the time comes but this has largely gone unrecognised by the public at large. At least three of the UK security industry’s most recognised organisation believe this is unacceptable...

All 22 members of the City Security Council took part in a joint, hi-visibility patrolling strategy with the City of London Police as part of an initiative to deter attacks. The joint initiative, which was implemented over the May Bank Holiday weekend, saw combined patrols being set up across the CSC sites within the Square Mile.  With approximately 1,000 security officers taking part supported by the police who were out in force both on foot and as mounted police officers. Member of the CSC and Managing Director of security company UniTrust, Scott Gough coordinated the initiative and s...

On May 29th 2020, Nicholas Seabrook, former director of NPS Security Ltd in Cwmbran, was served a confiscation order under the Proceeds of Crime Act of £5,560.59. This order was handed down at Cardiff Crown Court in relation to his acting as an unlicensed director of a security company. If he does not pay, he will face a prison sentence. Seabrook started NPS Security Ltd in 06 August 2018 and ran it until July in the following year. During this time he provided security services to pubs in the South Wales Region. In December 2019 for working as a security director while unlicensed as we...

On May 19th 2020, the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) announced that this year’s British Security Awards will be held as an online broadcast. This decision was taken due to the uncertainty caused by the Coronavirus Pandemic. Originally due to be held on July 1st in London, the BSIA’s flagship event will now be broadcast live to 12,000 participants from around the UK for the first, and perhaps only, time. The event will feature the announcement of this year’s winners, including individuals, groups and companies across 15 categories. As ever, the British Security Awards 202...

The Chief Executive of the Security Industry Authority has released a statement with regards to Security Officers and whether they are considered to be Critical Workers during the Covid-19 Crisis. Please find the full un-edited statement below: "On Monday, 23 March the Prime Minister announced further instructions to the British public to combat the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). His announcement can be viewed here- this link opens in a new window. It places further restrictions on when people can leave their homes and limits travel for work to essential roles only. I am able to confirm ...

On Thursday the 26th of March, the British Security Industry Association’s Skills for Security called on the government to guarantee funding for independent training providers to help them mitigate damage caused by the Covid-19 outbreak. This action is in response to the Department of Education’s guidance released on Monday which stipulates that their policy “does not allow payment for services in advance of delivery”. This means that funding for training and apprenticeships cannot be made until the training has been delivered. It is argued by Skills for Security that this represents...

City Security Council Chair, David Ward, releases a statement regarding the status of Security Officers and why they should be considered to be "Critical Workers". “The City Security Council has been working closely with key stakeholders in the City of London to gain London based security officers essential worker status, which will ensure they can continue to serve and support the City during the coronavirus crisis.  “Essential worker status is currently not granted to security officers however, if there were a lockdown of the City of London, or the wider London area, there would...

On March 19th 2020, the British Security Industry Authority called on the government to clarify the status of security officers with the chance of a lockdown and school closures looming. As a members organisation, the BSIA seeks to clarify whether the scope of their member’s business will be covered by the critical worker classification. This includes manned guarding, key holding, cash in transit, alarm monitoring, CCTV operators and installers as well as ancillary services. The BSIA believes that the roles listed are essential for the day to day running of British business and public life...

On Monday the 9th of March 2020. Bett 5 Ltd, Paul Bettaney of Whiston, an unlicensed security director, pleaded guilty to supplying unlicensed door staff to Stoke-on-Trent hotel between December 2017 and January 2019. This prosecution comes after an investigation launched by the Security Industry Authority in March 2019 following a report that an unlicensed officer had worked at the hotel. The reports were correct and the officer was prosecuted and fined £200 with costs of £300 and a victim surcharge of £30. While Bettaney had indeed held an SIA license, it had expired in 2014. The SIA te...