The inaugural Securitas Community Awards took place at the opulent Walton Hall Hotel in leafy Warwickshire on Monday 7 June 2010.
The invited audience – including all finalists and their guests – were treated to a series of speeches in which the amazing details behind various acts of innovation, bravery and commitment exhibited by Securitas employees really came to the fore.
In essence, the Community Awards were designed to do just that – highlight and recognise the outstanding work completed by those same employees during the preceding 12 months.
There was also a desire to highlight the exceptional work of Securitas’ client base (hence the Securitas Good Customer Award run in conjunction with SMT Online… more of which anon).
The Securitas Community Award
The Securitas Community Award itself was presented by Erik-Jan Jansen, chief operating officer for Securitas Security Services Europe.
The strapline for this accolade read: “Nothing is more vital and important in our society than those who give their time freely not for reward of any kind, but for the satisfaction of helping others.”
Those in the frame for the 2010 accolade were Andy Case (a Securitas officer deployed at The Square Shopping Centre in Tallaght), Ann Conroy (Nortel) and Richard Hampson (employed at the Proctor and Gamble site in Skelmersdale on Merseyside).
Deservedly, the winner was Andy Case. The testimonial read out on the night said: “Andy has truly demonstrated a dedication towards his community. He has given his time and effort freely to that community over the 21 years that he has worked as a security officer. Every Christmas, he puts together hampers for the elderly. He works with local schools and encourages children to bring in basic food items from home that he then distributes to the needy.”
There’s no better testimonial than one that says: “As a security officer, Andy goes out of his way to help everyone he comes into contact with, whether they be customers, centre staff or his fellow security officers.” Undoubtedly a worthy winner.
Community Award for Integrity
In 2010, the Community Award for Integrity was sponsored by Nova Risk Management and presented by Jonathan Grey.
The background to this particular trophy reads: “A Securitas employee is honest and therefore trusted to work unsupervised on the customer’s premises. Securitas never compromises in its demand for integrity. Integrity also includes openly expressing one’s opinion, reporting improprieties and not withholding information.”
Finalists were Gary Gillan (a Securitas officer working at Marks & Spencer in Dumfries), Robin Cuffin (stationed at Anglesey Aluminium) and Barry Beckett (Molson Coors).
Congratulations were in order for Barry Beckett, who had displayed “seven years of continued commitment, loyalty and integrity”.
The citation went on to read: “On numerous occasions Barry has been challenged with taking on additional responsibilities above and beyond his normal duties and, on each occasion, has exceeded all expectations. He has a keen attitude towards his duties and a genuinely amiable and helpful approach towards Molson Coors’ employees, their customers and contractors.”
Community Award for Vigilance
This award was sponsored by Spratt Endicott Solicitors, whose representative John Spratt was on hand to present the trophy.
“Professionalism entails seeing, hearing and evaluating,” read the preamble in the brochure. “A Securitas employee is always attentive and often notices things that others do not. Their vigilance is necessary in order to be aware of potential risks or incidents that may take place on customers’ premises.”
The 2010 finalists in this category were Michael Roche (for his work at Jarrow JobCentrePlus), Keith Curdell (City West Shopping Centre) and Iain Bramwell and Sharron Bott (employed on the Stena Line contract at Fleetwood).
The winners were Ian Bramwell and Sharron Bott. Here’s why…
“On the night of Wednesday 14 October 2009, Securitas officers Iain Bramwell and Sharron Bott were on duty at Stena Line in Fleetwood. The officers were checking all documentation relating to the trailers that were parked on site.”
“Taking nothing for granted, they looked closely at all the vehicles and compared their findings in detail with the supplied paperwork. They became suspicious when they detected that the seal number on one of the trailers parked did not match their records. The officers made the correct decision not to release the trailer, and the local police were alerted to the situation.”
“As a result, it was discovered that the original seals and the security banding that were on the trailer had been totally removed and replaced. The criminals’ haul from the trailer had exceeded GB pound 600,000.”
“Due to the direct actions and vigilance of both Iain and Sharron the stolen goods were recovered by the police and those persons responsible for the criminality duly arrested.”
Community Award for Helpfulness
The 2010 Securitas Community Award for Helpfulness – sponsored by Stena Line – was bestowed under the following ethic: “A Securitas employee will lend assistance, even if it’s not directly related to his or her job. As part of an ongoing effort to make life safer, a Securitas employee will always help if an incident occurs that requires intervention.”
Finalists in this category were Stephen Newbiggin and Dean Finegan (employed on the Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust contract), Beverton Thomas (regional support officer for South and East Yorkshire) and Iain Forrest (a Securitas officer working at Standard Life).
The winners – presented with their trophies by Stena Line’s Lars Palsson – were Stephen Newbiggin and Dean Finegan.
“In November 2009, security staff at the North Manchester General Hospital were alerted by the sound of screaming near one of the shops on site. Stephen Newbiggin and Dean Finegan traced the commotion to one of the hospital’s car parks, only to discover that the screaming was coming from a very distressed young woman who was in labour and about to give birth.”
“The officers contacted the Control Room to ask the staff at the delivery suite for help. However, at this point in time they realised that it was going to be too late as the baby was in no mood to hang around!”
“Stephen and Dean helped the woman to stay calm and remained with her as her baby was born. They maintained calm and control in an extremely difficult situation right in the midst of a busy car park.”
“After the woman gave birth, the officers kept the baby safe until the midwives and paediatric staff arrived. Stephen and Dean provided level-headed support and were extremely helpful.”
The Team Award
This award was sponsored in 2010 by the National Sporting Club and presented by its representative on the night, Bruce Trewin.
It’s bestowed upon the Securitas Team that demonstrates collective excellence in delivering the security strategy for Securitas to the company’s customers.
In 2010, the finalists were the Halifax Bus Station Team, the Halifax Town Centre Team and the Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust Team (the latter running out the winner).
“On Christmas Day 2009, a bomb threat was received at the Rochdale Infirmary. The information received very clearly stated that the device would be planted in the X-Ray Department, and that it was set to detonate between 11.00 am and 12.00 pm.”
“The Securitas officers on site managed to remain calm. They immediately contacted the Emergency Services and began a full-scale evacuation of the affected buildings.”
“A second call was then received. This time it was aimed at the Maternity Department. Undeterred, the team continued to deal with the incident, ensuring everybody remained calm and safe throughout. They carried out a full search and reviewed CCTV footage alongside officers from the Greater Manchester Police. Normal service was eventually resumed.”
Good Customer Award (in association with SMT Online)
Securitas launched its inaugural Good Customer Award in association with Security Management Today Online back in October 2009.
This award is designed specifically to honour the Securitas client who, in the opinion of a panel of expert judges, has done the most to use security services effectively in support of the host business and improve procurement processes across – and within – the security arena.
In addition, this accolade rewards those clients of Securitas who have “contributed greatly to an improvement in the standards and perception of the security industry as a whole.”
Speaking of the award, Securitas’ managing director for the UK and Ireland, Geoff Zeidler, said: “We know that we have many excellent customers, but in selecting one we hope to bring to the attention of the market what forms of Best Practice are possible. This can promote approaches wherein security may be seen to be a constructive part of the core business strategy rather than relegated to a situation where it’s mentioned alongside the need to keep the offices clean.”
Zeidler added: “We also hope that, over time, the award will be viewed as a recognised reference for Best Security Practice across the business community.”
The finalists were Heineken (UK), Stena Line, Aegon (UK), Ebbsfleet Valley and Marks & Spencer plc.
Judging this category in 2010 were Brian Sims (Editor of SMT Online and chairman of the panel), Don Randall (head of security, Bank of England), Jude Brimble (national officer, GMB Trade Union), Nicholas Brookes (chairman, De La Rue) and Paul Carlaw (head of property procurement with BT).
The 2010 winner was Marks & Spencer plc, whose head of profit protection, Clint Reid, was in attendance to receive the trophy.
SMT Online and the judges praised Marks & Spencer for understanding the importance of security to its business, and for dedicating time, expertise and the correct funding to its provision.
Without doubt, Marks & Spencer is committed to delivering ‘security excellence’ and, in partnership with Securitas, has undergone an exciting journey on the way towards delivering a revolutionary and industry-leading approach to Total Security Solutions.
Community Award for Innovation
The Innovation category was sponsored by Telereal Trillium and presented by hugely respected security professional Dennis Gotts.
The preface to this award read: “Innovation is understood as the successful introduction of something new and useful. Introducing new methods, techniques or practices as well as new or altered products and services is always important.”
The finalists in 2010 were Stuart Mansfield (working on the Heineken UK contract), Craig Allison (JobCentrePlus at Wardwick) and Gary Waterson (for his efforts at Aegon UK).
The winning officer was Stuart Mansfield, who was commended for producing a brand new crisis management manual. Following its completion, he received fantastic feedback not only from the customer’s management team but also from the local police and fire brigade. Its success has led to it being introduced on two new sites.
“A fantastic piece of innovation which has brought Securitas closer to the customer and improved its ability to provide a fully-managed service.”
Community Award for Leadership
The award was presented by Mark Barnett of sponsor Niscayah “to an individual who exhibits leadership skills by demonstrating the ability to communicate with people, make decisions, lead by example, show personal commitment and recognise the overriding need for innovation.”
Under consideration for the trophy here were Caroline Ratcliffe (Marks & Spencer North West), Graham Refell (for work conducted at Visteon’s Basildon plant) and Ross Harrell (JobCentrePlus at Washwood Heath).
Graham Refell took the honours this time around.
With news doing the rounds that the site Refell was working at might be closing down, tension among the customer’s workforce understandably grew. In the midst of all this, Graham had to take control of 16 officers on site.
When the police were called in to deal with increasingly violent protests at the premises, Graham liaised with the police and defused many potentially explosive situations due to his “professional attitude and calming influence”.
The citation read: “His dedication to Securitas when his own future was uncertain, and his ability to control 16 security officers when under extreme pressure, marks Graham out as a winner.”
Outstanding Act Award
This award recognises the outstanding commitment and professionalism of frontline Securitas security personnel, and was presented by Clint Reid from Marks & Spencer.
The finalists were as follows:
Liam was nominated for restraining a man who had entered the Accident and Emergency Department at the North Manchester General Hospital and was appearing to carry a knife
Alison was nominated in the 2010 Securitas Community Awards for saving the life of a customer at the JobCentre Plus in Milton Keynes.
Mark Cunningham (Easons Bookshop, Dublin)
Mark was nominated for his actions following an horrific bus and tram collision outside his place of work in Dublin’s main shopping precinct.
Adam was nominated for his calm and considered approach in dealing with a suspected armed man at the Huddersfield Bus Station site where he’s employed.
Mark Cunningham was the winner of this award. He was the first to arrive on scene after the bus and tram crash.
27 people were injured in the incident, some of them trapped in the wreckage. Mark used all the knowledge gained from his First Aid training to assess the situation and advise those around him as best he could.
“You need to be vigilant at all times,” he said, “and aware of everything that’s happening.”
When the Emergency Services arrived, they praised Cunningham for his help in reassuring and calming people in what was an extremely difficult and dangerous situation. The round of applause when he collected the trophy to a standing ovation was a fitting tribute to a superb security officer.
