The dog handler from Rochester-based Approved Contractor Ward Security was one of a number of ‘unsung heroes’ who picked up awards for helping make the London Borough of Bromley a safer place this year.
Beck – who joined Ward Security three years ago with no previous security experience – was delighted to receive his award which directly reflects the significant contribution he and the Parks Security Services Team have made to reducing crime in Bromley town centre’s numerous parks.
Safer Neighbourhood Teams
There are 22 wards in the London Borough of Bromley, all of them with dedicated Safer Neighbourhood Teams in place. Safer Neighbourhoods, of course, is an initiative introduced by the Metropolitan Police Service back in 2004 to tackle the low-level crime that frequently impacts in a fairly substantial way on local communities.
Together with his dog Zeus, Beck has been responsible for helping the local police apprehend a number of criminals, and has liaised extensively with local residents and Stakeholders by way of his role on the Bromley Safer Neighbourhood Team Consultation Panel.
The purpose of that panel is to meet regularly with the team sergeant and to agree upon a priority list of local community safety concerns and issues that the team should target. The panel is also involved in deciding what type of action should be taken, and has an input to the problem-solving approach.
In conversation with SMT Online, Beck explained: “We work very closely with the Bromley Police, particularly in the town centre parks.”
Beck’s award recognises that he’s gone above and beyond the call of duty in his role to help apprehend several criminals. Most recently, he helped police catch three knifepoint robbers by helping them stop a bus in which the criminals had attempted to make their escape.
“The outcome was that the criminals were arrested, and the teenagers they’d robbed got their possessions back,” said Beck with obvious pride. It was all the more amazing when you consider that Beck had followed these suspects on the basis of a hunch! “In effect, I’m meant to act as a visual deterrent, but I can’t really stand by and watch crimes being committed,” suggested Beck.
Strict training regime underpins success
Although Neal has worked as a dog handler these past three years, he puts his ‘success’ down to Ward Security’s strict training regime. Previously, he was a production manager and, with no prior security experience, had a steep learning curve – although he clearly has an affinity with both dogs and security work.
As is the case with all Ward Security dog teams, the handler was chosen for his communications and people skills. All Ward’s dogs are ‘homed’ with their handlers on a one dog-one handler basis, which means they work as a highly effective single unit. “Our teams are particularly keen to foster a community spirit, so patrolling open spaces and parks is always handled in a flexible way to ensure the public is protected in a non-aggressive way,” commented David Ward, the solutions provider’s managing director.
Ward went on to state: “As a direct result of this approach, Ward Security dog teams have had great success in reducing anti-social behaviour and vandalism. Neal’s success is evidence of this, and his dedication in patrolling parks and gardens in Bromley made him an obvious choice for a Safer Bromley Award.”
Police-private sector in harmony
Looking to the future, Beck stressed that he will continue to be vigilant – and go the extra mile in making sure that he keeps Bromley town centre parks as safe as possible. “The police patrol with me at least once a day, every day. I’ve always had a really good relationship with them – if I have a problem, I know I can rely on their help. They know that if I do call, it’s something serious.”
Neal was nominated for his Safer Bromley Award by Sergeant Amanda Weston from Bromley Town Centre Police. The awards event was organised by the Safer Bromley Partnership that brings together the police, the local council and other partner agencies to work together on safety issues.