Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is determined that the economic recession should not cause crime rates to increase. As a result, this month has witnessed the beginnings of a series of initiatives designed to make people safe from crime.
The first initiative was a special Burglary Summit (in which the BSIA was a participant). The event – entitled Real Help for People in Hard Times – was chaired by the Home Secretary and attended by organisations including ACPO, the Association of British Insurers, Age Concern, the National Union of Students and Neighbourhood Watch, all of whom are aiming to find new and innovative ways of preventing burglary.
David Evans – the BSIA’s project director for the 2012 Olympic Games – attended the Burglary Summit. Evans told SMT Online: “The summit included representatives from a wide range of organisations, from B&Q and The Suzy Lamplugh Trust through to Help the Aged and local authorities. In these potentially more crime-ridden times, the Government is determined to highlight the need for improvements needed in the protection of the most vulnerable in society. In other words, those likely to be living in ‘easy target’ accommodation, such as the elderly and infirm or students living in rented accommodation.”
Little or know insurance or knowledge
Evans continued: “These individuals often have weak physical security, little or no insurance and their awareness of the need to apply security principles is usually pretty low. The Burglary Summit’s discussions were targeted at how these groups of people could be helped, what new initiatives might be employed and what elements Best Practice may be shared.”
The Home Secretary will now lead on a GB pound 20 million fund to help people strengthen their home security which will target the estimated 14% of homes without window locks, and the 18% still lacking adequate doors. Burglaries through unlocked doors and windows account for 36% of such criminality.
Another initiative is the new web site offering a single-source of information on how best to protect your home from burglars. There’s also a GB pound 1.6 million crime prevention marking campaign that’s making good use of advertisements to reach as wide an audience as possible.
Evans added: “Making people aware of just the basic principles of security, from physically strengthening doors, fitting good door and window locks, securing and marking valuables and increasing general personal security awareness was the main target objective, as well as how this could be best communicated. Sharing Best Practice with local authorities was also highlighted as being important, as crime can be curtailed by making improvements such as the installation of good lighting.”
Further Working Group discussions
Evans concluded: “Landlords can be encouraged to do more, while the parents of students could also be part of an education campaign. The Home Secretary has said that the ideas put forward at the Burglary Summit will now underpin further individual Working Group discussions.”
The BSIA has long encouraged business and home-owners to ensure that at least ‘basic’ security provisions are installed at their properties. Those provisions can make a real difference in the prevention and detection of crime.
The Association’s Back to Basics Campaign continues to promote fundamental, quality security solutions. To access a copy of the BSIA’s basic Guide to Home Security, click on the web link provided. For further information on the Home Office initiatives, again click on the web link provided.
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 will come into force this autumn, and aims to provide a single system for the vetting of those who, through their work, have regular contact with children and vulnerable adults.
The Act works by creating two ‘barred’ lists. One bars those on the list from regulated activity with children, the other from regulated activity with vulnerable adults. Both lists will be maintained by an Independent Barring Board (IBB). In addition, the Act creates a new authority to oversee the new system in the shape of the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).
Regulated activity covers a range of specific areas, many of which will encompass work within the security industry. Controlled activity will also include specific activities, with guidance suggesting that it will take in most activities relating to the health and education sectors.
It’s important to note that a ‘barred’ employee can work in controlled activity as long as sufficient safeguards have been put into place to minimise any risk.
There are a range of criminal offences which apply to employers and individuals who do not meet this stipulation. It’s hoped that by creating personal liability amongst employers, senior managers and directors will take responsibility for the actions of the organisation.
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act is something about which the industry should be aware, and for which preparations must be made ahead of its implementation.
BSIA members can keep up-to-date on the Act by visiting the Human Resources Forum pages of the members’ area on the web site. Non-members seeking more information should visit the Office of Public Information’s Internet site. Both links are provided on the right hand panel of this page.
The Big Issue (by Tony Clarke)
The leisure industry had a very different reputation fifteen years ago when the term ‘bouncer’ would readily spring to mind if ever the phrase ‘night club’ emerge.
Now, I’m proud to be working with the BSIA to contribute to the transformation of a sector previously run out of a quiet corner somewhere but which has risen in importance to become a multi-million pound element of the UK’s economy.
For too long, the security element has been treated as an unfortunate necessity of the leisure sector, with a lack of respect for security operatives and big buyers chasing fly-by-night companies who offer rates for the job at a few pence less per hour. Contracts have typically been worth less than the napkins they’ve been written.
The Stakeholder that has sufferered most has inevitably been the consumer, faced as they have been with poorly trained and unreliable security staff. That was all set to change when the Security Industry Authority (SIA) brought enforceable professional standards to the sector.
Today, the door supervision sector – by way of the newly-formed Leisure Industry Security Section at the BSIA – has the capabilities to improve its relationship with consumers and improve standards.
Striving for continuous improvement and change
The new section brings together the leading door supervision companies in an effort to move forward, creating a body that genuinely represents the sector and strives for continuous improvement and change.
This, of course, means that there is lots of hard work ahead of us, and we will strive to continue to emphasise the importance of licensing and professional standards and behaviour across the board.
The formulation of this new section represents a milestone along the road of development. In partnership, we can work to remove a tarnished image and provide the leisure industry and its consumers with safe and secure premises.
As founder members, we are committed to making this sector more represented and will be speaking to companies in Scotland and Wales about them joining us. The bigger the membership, the more influence we have as a group. We very much look forward to welcoming all new members as we progress.
Tony Clarke is chairman of the BSIA’s Leisure Industry Security Section.
