Since 1988, when the Crimestoppers charity was first set up, over 85,000 arrests and charges have been made. More than 750 people have been charged with murder, GB pound 101 million’ worth of goods have been recovered and GB pound 150 million’ worth of drugs seized. This latest milestone equals 136 information logs being passed to the police every day, and coincides with the charity’s 20th Anniversary year.
Michael Wilson, the SIA’s chief executive, commented: “It’s vital that we work closely with Crimestoppers to help in the fight against crime and maintain public safety. Although much of our intelligence is received via our website and other sources, Crimestoppers provides us with good quality, reliable information which we can act upon. We are pleased to find more people using the charity Crimestoppers and its anonymous service to report crime in the private security industry.”
Taking criminals off the streets
Crimestoppers is an independent charity dedicated to solving crimes and taking criminals off the streets. Around 17 people are arrested and charged every day as a result of information given to Crimestoppers. One person every five days is charged with murder as a result of information fed through to Crimestoppers.
Crimestoppers UK was founded by Lord Ashcroft KCMG, Chairman of the Trustees. In 1988, he launched Crimestoppers in the Metropolitan Police area. Crimestoppers is built on a three-way partnership between the business community, the police and the media.
To report unlicensed activity, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Wheel clamper pleads guilty to offences
At a hearing at Bristol Magistrates Court on 28 July, Rupert Blair (44) of 9, Woodlands, Tythrington, Wooton-Under-Edge, Gloucester pleaded guilty to offences under the Private Security Industry Act 2001 – deploying an unlicensed operative and engaging in licensable conduct without a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence.
Blair was the director of Able Parking and Security which operated in the Bristol area. Blair was fined, ordered to pay costs and a surcharge under the Victim Surcharge Scheme.
SIA chairman gives Keynote Speech in New Zealand
SIA chairman Baroness Henig was one of the Keynote speakers at the New Zealand Security Conference and Exhibition 2008, recently held in Auckland.
Baroness Henig said: “The New Zealand Government is about to introduce new legislation covering the private security industry, which will create a special Government enforcement agency and introduce mandatory training for those working in the designated security activities. Their intention is to make the new regulations self-financing so there is considerable interest in how our licensing process has worked in the UK, what problems we have experienced and the impact regulation has made to date. Delegates were particularly interested to hear about mandatory training qualifications and how partnerships between the police and private security providers had changed. I had the opportunity to discuss many issues of mutual concern with security providers, senior police officers and Government officials, and found the exchange of views and experience extremely useful.”
Court appearance for company director
The SIA issued a summons to John Day, company director of Secure Areas Limited, to answer charges under Section 3(1) (engaging in licensable conduct without an SIA licence) and Section 19(5) (failure to provide information to the SIA) of the Private Security Industry Act 2001.
Day appeared before Birmingham Magistrates Court on Friday 27 June 2008. The case has been adjourned until Thursday 6 November.