The already hot summer of 2012 promises to be an extremely busy and challenging period for those working across the licensing and entertainment industry as the UK celebrates Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the spectacle of the Olympic Games and many associated events planned for the period.
Those celebrations will attract large numbers of people, of course, in turn creating crowded places which can then be vulnerable to a range of criminality.
Managers within the night-time economy – which is characterised by pubs, clubs and other licensed premises – receive security advice direct from the National Counter-Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO), but it remains the case that the overriding responsibility for applying good security lies with the owners, members of staff and door supervisors themselves.
NaCTSO has just released a pdf document (see below), entitled: ‘Raising the Bar’, which reinforces its advice for venue owners, and most notably for this summer.
In order to keep people safe, businesses secure and minimise disruption, NaCTSO suggests there are a number of measures venue owners, operators, managers and/or members of staff ought to consider taking with a view towards minimising vulnerabilities at their premises.
Basic good housekeeping
Basic good housekeeping reduces the opportunity for people to place suspect packages at a premises and helps to deal with false alarms and hoaxes. Consider the following:
- searching your premises (inside and out) before, during and after opening hours
- remaining vigilant during opening hours
- ensuring your emergency exits are secured when not in use in order to prevent unauthorised entry beyond any screening regime you have in place
Evacuation responsibilities and roles
Evacuation responsibilities and roles must be clearly communicated to staff, routes and exits well defined and evacuation plans exercised on a regular basis
Remember that it may be safer to stay inside the building if the threat is outside. Also, consider the possibility of a multiple attack and the need to move people away from other areas of potential danger, which may include glazing.
CCTV: bringing clarity to security alerts
CCTV can help clarify whether or not a security alert is real, and is often vital in any post-incident investigation.
If you operate a CCTV system at your premises do ensure:
- that the date and time stamps are accurate and that the system is well maintained
- that the recorded images of people and vehicles are clearly identifiable and retained for at least 31 days
Reporting suspicious activity: vital for thwarting the terrorists
The process of reporting suspicious behaviour is vital in the effort to combat terrorism. Vigilant members of staff will always notice suspicious activity or behaviour.
If you have suspicions about somebody’s activities or behaviour, please call the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321. In addition, if you have information that requires an urgent or immediate police response, always dial 999.
For more detailed protective security advice, access the NaCTSO website
BSIA members help resource communications hub for London 2012
Members of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) have embraced the opportunities provided by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to increase public and private sector co-operation by putting forward volunteers to man the Cross-sector Safety and Security Communications (CSSC) hub.
The physical hub officially came into action to coincide with the start of the Olympic Torch Relay on Saturday 19 May, and will continue to operate until the end of the Games. It forms an essential part of the CSSC, itself a partnership initiative between the police, Government and industry that brings businesses and their networks together to ensure they receive timely and authoritative messages enabling them to stay safe and secure in the lead-up to, during and after the Games.
In practice, the hub facilitates communications from the Police BRONZE Community, the National Olympic Co-ordination Centre (NOCC) and the London Resilience Team to ensure the relevant and required messages are being provided and cascaded to the sectors involved. It consists of up to ten volunteers at any one time, four of whom have been provided by BSIA member companies.
David Evans, project director for London 2012 at the BSIA, commented: “The BSIA is a strong supporter of the CSSC initiative. To see that our members have understood the benefits of becoming involved in it is very pleasing indeed. In busy times when resources are already stretched, volunteering staff to carry out duties outside your organisation can be a big ask, so our members’ commitment is not only appreciated but also demonstrates the value of the project.”
Cascading the message
The security sector is united in supporting the CSSC and a number of organisations have undertaken to promptly cascade the messages received to their members and constituents. These organisations include: ADS Group, ASIS International, the BSIA, Info4Security/UBM, Infologue.com (Interconnective Ltd), the International Professional Security Association (IPSA), National Doorwatch, Professional Security, Securitas Security Services, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and The Security Institute.
To receive the messages from the CSSC, businesses can sign up for free by going to Neighbourhood Link or following the Metropolitan Police Service on Twitter (and here for public order updates).
Earlier in the year, the BSIA also launched a dedicated web page to help visitors keep updated with the messages. The page itself can be viewed by accessing the BSIA’s own website
The project will provide a worthwhile platform for communications to continue following the Games, in turn providing an ongoing legacy for London 2012.