New satellite technology that will help track the movement of offenders in the community is set to be delivered by two British businesses, it has been announced. In a boost for the economy the high-tech equipment is earmarked for manufacturing in a British company based in Nottingham. Once off the production line and strapped to an offender’s ankle, the kit will mean suspects can easily be identified as having been at the scene of a crime or quickly eliminated from inquiries, delivering swifter justice and saving valuable police time and money. Existing technology only al...

NSI have announced the name of their future Chairman. Chris Hanks will succeed the current Chair, Sir Francis Richards, with effect from November 2013. Following a detailed series of selection interviews, Mr Chris Hanks has been selected to Chair the NSI Board. Chris has had a distinguished career in the insurance industry and his most recent appointment has been with Allianz Insurance plc. Hanks began his career as an underwriter in casualty and property insurance and soon progressed to be UK Manager for NEM Insurance. He rose to be Head of Business Units for AGF Insurance Group before...

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA)’s Vacant Property Protection Group, a group formed of members of the BSIA’s Security Guarding, Security Systems and newly-named Property and Asset Protection Section, has recently released its official Code of Practice. The group, which was officially launched in May 2013, consists of businesses that provide security measures and services introduced when a property is at an increased risk of criminal attack as a result of a change of circumstances in its occupancy. The new code provides guidelines for the provision of security for vacant ...

Skills for Security, the sector skills body for the UK’s private security industry, has announced the appointment of Terri Jones as its new Director General. Terri joins the team at a pivotal time for the organisation, and will provide strategic direction for the company, focusing on new business generation while assuming responsibility for the successful financial and commercial performance of the company. She joins the organisation today (Monday 12th August) and will spend some time with Interim Chief Executive, Mike Britnell, before his departure from the business. Having previously hel...

Yesterday, [9 July], at Manchester Magistrates’ Court, two door supervisors pleaded guilty to working illegally at a city centre bar. Lloyd Harrop, 25 and Craig Langley 29, were both found working at Foo Foos bar on Bloom Street, Manchester, without a valid Security Industry Authority licence. In October 2012, SIA investigators joined Greater Manchester Police in an operation to check that security operatives were properly licensed in Manchester City Centre. During the operation the two individuals were found working unlicensed and were arrested, interviewed and later charged by the...

The owner of a Teesside security firm was found guilty of providing false information to the Security Industry Authority and ordered to pay over £7,000. On Monday [5 July], Gary Armstrong, of Central Avenue, Middlesbrough was convicted at Teesside Magistrates’ Court. In February 2013, the SIA launched an investigation into G&S Protection Services and Armstrong’s role in providing security guards to a construction site in Teesside. A formal request for information was made by the SIA; however, Armstrong failed to provide the necessary documentation and when interviewed under c...

Zero hour contracts have once again become big news, says Infologue.com publisher, Bobby Logue. Whilst the politicians are rattling the sabre over the issue, it appears that very little change will take place in this regard. The only possible change will be the removal on the restriction of exclusivity to a specific employer. In a labour market such as the security services industry, which is coping with ever increasing short notice demands from its customers, the zero hour contract is a vital element in their toolkit. The latest Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) rese...

The Home Office is seeking to appoint a new SIA Chair, one non-executive Board member, and one non-executive Board member for Scotland. SIA Chair The SIA Chair will work closely with other Board members and the Chief Executive to provide overall strategic leadership of the Security Industry Authority. As the SIA moves towards the introduction of a new regime for business regulation, the Chair will work strategically to lead the Board in delivering effective transition and change. The Chair will form strong working relationships with the Chief Executive, SIA Staff, the private security indus...

The Security Industry Authority has signed a five year, £13 million contract with Tata Consultancy Services Limited. Following the completion of a tendering process, TCS were assessed to be the most competitive based on the pre-defined evaluation criteria. The contract is for new systems to support the delivery of the SIA’s future licensing, approval and compliance operations. The new services are planned to commence at the end of June 2014. SIA Director of Service Delivery Stephen McCormick said: “We are pleased to have agreed and signed a contract with TCS. The new service...

Calls for clarity from the Home Office on the timing of regulatory change for the private security industry have been issued by the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), following last week’s announcement that the regulation of private investigators is to be introduced as early as 2014. James Kelly, Chief Executive of the BSIA – the trade body representing the majority of the UK’s private security sector – comments: “We welcome the regulation of private investigators, however, it is ironic that the wider security industry still awaits clarity from Government after thr...