Advances in technology and the Internet of Things have changed the way we live and work, so too they are changing the way security operates – ‘traditional’ security measures are evolving and becoming more advanced and in some cases interconnected. But what is the impact on offenders? Perpetuity Research is undertaking a study, interviewing offenders to understand how they react to this ‘new’ security. In addition, they are conducting a survey of security professionals, to ascertain their views on the types of changes taking place, whether this is likely to impact on offenders and t...

Interserve Group, a UK Top 5 Security Company and wider provider of services has announced that pending an urgent meeting to consider any other viable options; the Board intends to apply to the High Court in London for the Company to be placed into administration. It is understood that in the event that administration goes ahead, ownership will fall to lenders, but the company will continue trading and operating public services. The 'Pre-pack' administration deal organised in advance of today's vote will, if actioned, be run by EY and would keep Interserve's public services running over ...

A disqualified West Midlands security boss who had his Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence revoked last year has been prosecuted again after re-starting his operation the very next day despite the revocation. On Monday 11 March, Michael Ryan pled guilty at Coventry Magistrates' Court to working as an unlicensed security manager on three occasions between 21 April and 28 September 2018. Mr Ryan was fined £3,000 and ordered to pay £4,264 costs as well as a victim surcharge of £170 within 14 days. On 20 April 2018 Michael Ryan lost his door supervisor's licence after his security bus...

Last Friday 8 March at Basildon Crown Court, John Raymond Daley, of Kilnwood Avenue Hockley in Essex, was ordered to pay a confiscation under the Proceeds of Crime Act of £25,000 and also prosecution costs of £11,000. The court order follows Daley's conviction of six counts of providing unlicensed security guards to a school in Acton, and failure to provide information to the regulator, as we brought a prosecution in November 2017. A 12-month conditional discharge for each offence was recorded. This case began in April 2016 when SIA investigators inspected a school in West London. They fo...

Interserve Plc’s biggest shareholder, which last week threatened to sue the company over its last "Deleveraging Plan", has written to the board to propose new terms for the restructuring of the Company's Debts. The US Hedge Fund, Coltrane Asset Management; a 27% Shareholder, has been opposing Last month's agreed terms with Lenders that would push existing shareholders out of the group to the tune of 97.5%, arguing that the lenders would be handed the company's equity. The latest action taken by Coltrane Asset Management follows an improved rescue plan proposed by Interserve Plc's Boa...

Economic Crime has a significant impact on the UK economy; with an estimated 3.24 million fraud offences taking place year ending March 2018 (Office of National Statistics 2018). The intention behind the newly-founded Tackling Economic Crime Awards (TECAs) being to reward and acknowledge those who make a significant contribution in driving out any area of Economic Crime. Such as fraud, money laundering, bribery and corruption. The TECAs are independent – with all the leading associations and groups supporting the awards, which include: • Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) â...

It has been announced today that a Wiltshire security firm boss has had assets of over £80,000 confiscated after being convicted of providing unlicensed security guards to a school over a period of 12 years. Steven Renouf, the former owner of Taghna Security Services, has 28 days to comply with the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) confiscation order, which was ordered at Winchester Crown Court on Thursday. If he fails to pay £84,610.29 within that time, he faces a default sentence of two years in jail. The confiscation was sought by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) following Renouf'...

The third UK Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs) event took place at the Royal Lancaster in central London on 28 February 2019. Over 450 security professionals gathered to celebrate the very best from across the sector with dinner and a presentation event hosted by Susannah Fish OBE QPM - former Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire Police; national gun crime lead and national lead for Business Crime, Private Security Industry Liaison, and Information Sharing. OSPAs founder Professor Martin Gill commented “The OSPAs provide an independent platform to showcase excellence and outsta...

Advances in technology and the Internet of Things have changed the way we live and work, so too they are changing the way security operates – ‘traditional’ security measures are evolving and becoming more advanced and in some cases interconnected. But what is the impact on offenders? Perpetuity Research is undertaking a study, interviewing offenders to understand how they react to this ‘new’ security. In addition, they are conducting a survey of security professionals, launched today, to ascertain their views on the types of changes taking place, whether this is likely to impact on...

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has awarded a major digital services contract to The IT service provider: Version 1, who will take over support for STeP, the SIA’s online licensing system, in May 2019. Version 1 was established over 20 years ago; currently constituting a 1200 strong team with offices in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, and India; they specialise primarily in digital and cloud services. The SIA’s contract with BT, the original supplier of STeP, is due to come to an end on 26 May 2019. The tender for a replacement supplier was sent out to eligible providers using ...