Latest Guard tour system News

BPA agrees to run Secured Car Park scheme
posted on 15/10/2001

THE BRITISH PARKING ASSOCIATION (BPA) has ensured the future of ACPO's Secured Car Park Award scheme by taking over administration of the scheme from the Automobile Association (AA). The BPA stepped in after Centrica (formerly British Gas), which acquired the AA two years ago, pulled out of running the scheme. Centrica felt the scheme did not fit in with the AA's core business. The Secured Car Park scheme, launched by ACPO nine years ago and funded by the Home Office, aims to raise security standards within car parks and thereby reduce car-related crime - 22% of which occurs in car parks, according to police figures. To be awarded Secured Car Park status owners and managers must meet a stringent set of standards, including good design and management, an effective level of security patrols, CCTV, good lighting and provision of help points. Inspection is ongoing - if an awarded car park falls below Secured Car Park status, its award can be revoked. Unrealistic target ... [more]

Deutsche banks on Reliance
posted on 10/10/2001

DEUTSCHE BANK HAS AWARDED Reliance Security a contract to provide security services to 32 of the investment bank's sites in London and Milton Keynes. The three-year contract - which has just gone live - follows a ten-month tender and start-up process by Reliance, and is one of the manned security provider's largest contract wins this year. Chris Smith, head of corporate security for Deutsche Bank said: "We selected Reliance as they offered the best solution to Deutsche Bank's complex needs. The last three months start-up has confirmed that we made the right decision." Lionel Nelson, general manager at Reliance's London City office commented: "I have been proud at the way my teams have pulled together to respond professionally and promptly at every stage, from submitting the bid to the sourcing of bespoke uniforms which reflect the image of both companies." The contract is a major addition to Reliance's London City and Luton centres and involved the recruitment of 50 add... [more]

NSI seeks new chief executive
posted on 05/10/2001

THE NATIONAL SECURITY INSPECTORATE (NSI) is advertising for a new chief executive. Dr David Holt, current chief executive of NSI, will retire next year, probably in May 2002. NSI will advertise the chief executive vacancy in the national press from this weekend (starting Saturday 6 October 2001), and is offering a £95,000 a year salary. In the advert, NSI says the new chief executive will be required to "develop strategy with the Board and ensure successful implementation in line with industry requirements and the Security Industry Act". The successful applicant will also be expected to "promote and develop positive working relationships with the industry, Government and relevant European bodies". The candidate NSI says the candidate will be of "graduate calibre with substantial senior management experience and with an acute understanding of both Government and industry". The candidate will also be "credible at Board and Ministerial level" and "o... [more]

Minimum wage rise welcomed
posted on 04/10/2001

MANY SECURITY OFFICERS WILL be taking home more pay from this month, following an increase in the national minimum wage. The minimum wage has risen from £3.70 to £4.10 for full claimants, and from £3.20 to £3.50 for 18-21 year olds. The BSIA welcomed the minimum wage rise, and said the increase would have little impact on its manned guarding members’ costs. The Association said: “We think it is a good thing that the minimum wage is going up, and that has always been our attitude.” Many of the BSIA's members already pay security officers more than the new minimum wage. Patricia Hewitt, the Government’s Trade and Industry Secretary, said the increase was “good news” for decent employers, and that it would also “prevent unscrupulous bosses using poverty wages to undercut their competitors”.... [more]

Chief constable predicts break-up of police "monopoly"
posted on 01/10/2001

A REPRESENTATIVE OF ACPO, speaking at last week's Private Security Industry Act 2001 Conference, said that regulation opens the door to competition by the private security industry for roles traditionally fulfilled by the police. Richard Childs, chief constable of Lincolnshire and the ACPO Lead on the Private Security Industry, asked, "Why should the police retain the monopoly it has over policing?" In an age of privatisation and public-private partnerships, the police must recognise that the "tide is flowing very strongly in that direction". However, he wondered whether the police services are aware of just how much of a challenge the private sector could mount, if regulation leads to a more professional private security industry. ... [more]

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