London’s leading private security company, Ultimate Security Services, has been named as Outstanding Contract Security Company at the Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs). The company, which beat eight other companies to win the award including Axis, CIS and Mitie, was also a finalist in the Outstanding Security Partnership category with London’s Chiswick Park. The OSPAs, which took place at the London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square on 2 March 2017, recognise and reward companies and individuals across the security sector and are set up in collaboration with security ...

Infologue.com recently attended the launch of the 2017 Sheriffs’ Award. The event, held at the renowned Old Bailey in London, was hosted by The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals. The Company, which dates back to back to 1999, provides education and health services to members of the security profession. The launch commenced with the speaker introducing many of the representatives in attendance, including the Chief of the Royal Air Force Police and the Chair of the London Ambulance Service. This was followed by the award of Honorary Freeman of The Company to Charles Henty, Under-...

The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) which regulates qualifications, examinations and assessments in England has formally issued Industry Qualifications (IQ) with a notice explaining their intention to fine them £50,000. The notice was issued on only one of the 19 centres identified in the 2015 BBC One Expose, Inside Out London. The statement from Ofqual considers that IQ breached 13 General Conditions of Recognition in relation to an incident in February 2015. Their enforcement committee found that IQ: failed to identify conflicts of interest when it de...

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) have announced the details of the workshops to be run at their Stakeholder Conference, on Tuesday 14 March 2017. The upcoming conference will consist of three discussion workshops which will consider the following questions: Taking Responsibility for Standards Who is responsible for ensuring standards of service delivery in the private security industry? How can employees and businesses do more to drive up standards in the industry? Which areas of operation does the industry most need to improve its standards? Influencing Buyer Behavio...

Infologue.com recently attended The Kurtzman Club, Mitie TSM’s first thought leadership event. The event, held at the illustrious Institute of Directors in London, played host to numerous thought leaders across the security sector. In the lead up to the event, Jason Towse, Managing Director for Mitie’s security business, said: “I am really excited to be launching The Kurtzman Club. I am passionate about the sustainability of our sector and see an opportunity to bring experts and influencers together in a forward thinking forum to challenge, innovate and work together to shape the fu...

On Tuesday 21 February at South Cheshire Magistrates' Court, the SIA successfully defended an appeal by Extreme Security Solutions Limited against a decision to refuse the company's application for Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) status. The court heard that the company, based in Macclesfield, applied for the ACS in November 2015. A similarly-named ACS company, Extreme Security Limited, went into liquidation in January 2016 with significant debts and owing tens of thousands of pounds to HM Revenue & Customs. After an investigation, the new company's application for ACS was refused in...

Bobby Logue, Principal  at Logue Corporate, the Mergers & Acquisitions specialists, believes that 2017 will provide exciting challenges for the UK private security services industry. “There was a clear indication of a big swing from traditional man on the gate security, to a smart blend of security, for example electronics, response and keyholding, as well as remote control through the use of control centres. One of the key indicators is illustrated by the sharp reduction in labour deployment of the traditional 108 hours covering night-time and weekend hours, which is now being cove...

On Monday 6 February, at Cwmbran Magistrates Courts, Stuart Reeves of Lock It Down Security Services Limited, and Joseph Mitchell of Alpha Secure Group Ltd, were found guilty of supplying an unlicensed security operative. The prosecution of Lock It Down Security Services Limited and Alpha Secure Group Ltd resulted from a customer site inspection by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) in Ebbw Vale, in October 2015. During this inspection, SIA investigators discovered a security operative working without a licence, an offence under the Private Security Industry Act (PSIA) 2001. The SIA reque...

Alan Clamp, SIA Chief Executive, has released the following statement in response to a recent report published by Ofqual. The Ofqual report was published in relation to some of the licence-linked qualifications used in the private security industry. The report explains the actions they have taken as a result and what they will do next. In response to the report SIA Chief Executive, Alan Clamp said: “We welcome this report. It is good to see Ofqual taking a close look at awarding bodies offering vocational qualifications. "After a lengthy investigation, Ofqual has identified some areas f...

The Security Industry Authority has released the following update in relation to their 2017 Stakeholder Conference. "On Tuesday 14 March 2017, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) will be holding their 2017 Stakeholder Conference at the Hallam Conference Centre, in London. "The focus is on partnership working. SIA Chair, Elizabeth France and CEO Alan Clamp will set out the Authority’s key priorities for the coming year during the event. "SIA Chief Executive, Alan Clamp said: "The theme for the day is working in partnership to protect the public. In addition to presentations, we w...