Latest Investigation News

Octavian Security aims to improve retail security provision
posted on 08/06/2007

Octavian Security Ltd has teamed up with retail expert, Professor Joshua Bamfield, in a move to improve retail security provision. Renowned retail crime and fraud expert, Professor Bamfield, will be working in partnership with Octavian Security applying his expert knowledge of criminal behaviour in the retail sector to Octavian’s client security proposals. This will not only see the Professor helping to devise consistent instore retail security programmes for Octavian’s clients – he will also be helping Octavian to introduce an even higher level of strategy to its programmes to both prevent shrinkage and improve the shopping experience for customers. “We now work with some big high street names and like IKEA’s Gurkhas, we want to use the innovation that we are known for to help retailers prevent crime in their stores wherever possible,” explains Octavian special projects manager, Pippa Muckley. “We already have officers that are trained to improve customer service and with Professo... [more]

New Chief Executive for the SIA
posted on 05/06/2007

Security Industry Authority Chairman, Baroness Ruth Henig, has announced the appointment of Mike Wilson as the new Chief Executive of the SIA. It is expected Mr Wilson will take over the reins from SIA Acting Chief Executive Andy Drane in September. Maj-Gen Mike Wilson (63), currently Chief Executive of Gangmasters Licensing Authority, has extensive experience working with Agencies and non-departmental public bodies such as the Defence Vetting Agency, Joint Air Reconnaissance and Intelligence Centre and the Military Survey Defence Agency. He also fulfilled a long military career with appointments in the United Kingdom, Germany, United States and Africa. Baroness Henig said: “I am delighted to announce the appointment of Mike Wilson as the new Chief Executive of the SIA. The Board and I look forward to working with Mike and we are confident that with his broad working experience, and with the support of his colleagues, he will build on the SIA’s achievements and work collaboratively wi... [more]

RoboWatch protects construction company from plant and material theft
posted on 01/06/2007

Keeping construction sites secure and intruder-free is a priority for all construction companies, especially in light of the continuing rise in plant and material theft. RoboWatch from Group Two has been used for site protection for the contractors J. Murphy and Sons Ltd. for the last 18 years. “We have found the RoboWatch system from Group Two to be very reliable and have used their services in many of our developments throughout the country,” explains Varnavas Christofi, Murphy Group security manager. “RoboWatch, is far cheaper than a security guard and provides peace of mind, knowing that the construction and compound area is getting round-the-clock protection from a state-of-the-art security system.” RoboWatch monitors all areas of a construction site 24/7 and costs up to 70% less than a manned equivalent. RoboWatch will never take a break, will not fall asleep on the job, will record everything for future reference and complies with current legislation and insurance requirement... [more]

Custom Consoles desks installed at Microsoft Security Operations Centre
posted on 01/06/2007

Custom Consoles has completed a corporate furnishing project for Microsoft's UK headquarters at Thames Valley Park, Reading. Six desks from the recently-introduced M Desk Technical range were installed in an 84 square metre Security Operations Centre accommodating eight operators and two supervisors. All six desks are finished in maple with hard-wearing graphite-grey Marmoleum worksurfaces and matching extruded edging. Positioned as two groups of two forming the front and middle row, the four operator desks are identical in design. Both supervisor desks are mounted on a raised platform at the rear of the room. All ten positions are equipped with three Ergotron adjustable monitor arms also supplied by Custom Consoles. These are fitted to the rear of each desk and support 19 inch LCD screens. Each worksurface also accommodates a laptop computer dock. The contract also included matching Marmoleum-finished storage surfaces for existing grey storage cabinets. Custom Consoles' M Desk... [more]

ITA Group launches counter-terror training academy
posted on 01/06/2007

ITA is launching the International Training Academy, a new City and Guilds centre designed to provide a range of specialist training to help organisations manage the threats from Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), dirty bombs, chemical weapons and biological attacks (CBRN). The Academy’s instructors each draw their knowledge from over 20 years serving in the British Military as Search and Bomb Disposal specialists and the Academy’s courses have been designed to enable civilian personnel to be able to gain specialist knowledge in an environment which encourages the development of practical skills as well as theoretical learning. The Academy will also be launching a series of one-day courses specifically designed to help commercial and public sector personnel recognise the threats from IEDs, and chemical / biological attacks delivered with ITA Group company, the CBRN Team. “The recent chlorine weapon attacks in Iraq highlight the sort of problem that now faces us in the UK. There i... [more]

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