The BSIA’s chief executive James Kelly spent a busy day at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester on Monday 3 October, meeting with key contacts from Whitehall, Westminster and local Government. Those whom Kelly spoke with included:
- Steve O’Connell AM (London Assembly member for Croydon and Sutton, councillor in the London Borough of Croydon and cabinet member responsible for safety and cohesion)
- Lord Sheikh (long-time supporter of the security industry with a particular interest in regulation and identity protection issues)
- Philip Davies MP (vocal supporter of CCTV as an “invaluable tool for the police [and] courts”)
- Irene Curtis (vice-president of the Superintendents’ Association of England and Wales and someone with particular concerns around police budget cuts)
Following the meetings, Kelly told SMT Online: “Placing the BSIA and the issues affecting our industry at the centre of the Government’s agenda is one of our Association’s primary objectives, and one of the main ways in which we support our members.”
Kelly continued: “Attending the Conservative Party Conference has enabled us to get closer to those responsible for making the decisions that directly affect our industry. Work now begins to maintain the momentum of these relationships and ensure that the views of our members are accurately and consistently represented at the highest levels of Government.”
Renewed challenges for the police
With significant budget cuts affecting the whole of the public sector, police forces in particular are facing renewed challenges in terms of finance and resource.
Most recently, members of the BSIA’s Police and Public Services Section have welcomed proposals by the West Midlands Police Authority for increased working partnerships with the private sector. This was duly mentioned in the Association’s conference meetings as a prime illustration of the role of the private security industry in supporting law enforcement by performing everyday supporting roles such as custodial services and administration.
Better procurement and improved efficiency were just two objectives of police reform mentioned by the Home Secretary Theresa May in her conference speech.
“Some people question why we’re reforming the police,” said May. “For me, the reason is simple. We need them to be the tough, no-nonsense crime-fighters they signed up to become. Right now – and despite what police officers want – too many of them are not. Stuck too often in the station instead of on the streets, filling in forms instead of catching criminals… The police [have become] a bureaucratic service instead of an operational force.”
BSIA contact Steve O’Connell AM was particularly supportive of the Association’s objectives in terms of promoting public-private sector partnerships in relation to policing, calling for BSIA members to submit Case Studies illustrating the benefits of such partnerships to the Greater London Assembly.
In support of the Association’s message, Robbie Calder (chairman of the BSIA’s Police and Public Services Section) added: “At a time when police service resources are already stretched to the limit, the private security industry can be of great assistance by alleviating the pressure on the police to cut costs while maintaining an excellent level of service to local communities.”
BSIA launches Business Crime Conference 2011
The BSIA is pleased to announce its first Business Crime Conference, a new event that’s being organised in partnership with the Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Kent and Thames Valley Police forces and in conjunction with the Federation of Small Businesses.
Taking place on Wednesday 30 November 2011 at Sandown Park in Surrey, and sponsored by Securitas Security Services, this one-day security-focused event is aimed at providing businesses with the latest information and guidance on business security.
Free to attend for delegates, the Business Crime Conference will offer advice and guidance to key decision-makers from a range of industries and business sectors, including local authorities, retailers, blue chip companies, health authorities, facilities managers, consultants and the police.
With a series of informative presentations planned (covering economic, social and environmental topics), the event will give delegates an insight into how they can keep their staff and businesses safe and secure in these challenging times.
Confirmed speakers to date include Professor Martin Gill of Perpetuity Research (who’s going to talk about Secured by Design and Secured Environments for Business) and ACC Paul Broadbent from Nottinghamshire Police, who will discuss the impact on businesses of the recent riots and disorder.
A limited number of exhibition stand spaces are also available, giving suppliers operating in the security sector an opportunity to promote their products and services to a diverse range of businesses.
With the cost of exhibiting at just GB pound 650 +vat, potential exhibitors are encouraged to act quickly to book their space.
To book a free delegate place or an exhibition stand, contact the BSIA’s Christine Brooks on (telephone) 0845 389 0743 or by e-mail at: c.brooks@bsia.co.uk
The Big Issue: BSIA seminars draw the crowds at Total Workplace Management
The first day of this year’s Total Workplace Management exhibition and conference organised by United Business Media featured an extremely popular expert panel discussion hosted by the BSIA. The session was aimed squarely at helping facilities managers identify and make the most of the many non-security functions withintheir security systems.
Entitled ‘Extending the value of your security measures’, the seminar was attended to full capacity and highlighted the many additional benefits of a range of security functions and how they can prove their worth beyond their original security remit in terms of Health and Safety, energy management, training or fire detection.
Three experts from across the BSIA’s membership gave inspiring presentations, highlighting the often surprising functions that security systems can fulfill:
- Nigel Smith from the BSIA’s Access Control Section spoke about the integration of access control systems with Building Energy Management Systems, which can help to cut down on utility costs
- Peter Stanton from the BSIA’s CCTV Section talked about about the use of CCTV systems for the detection and visual verification of smoke and fire
- Chris Lawrence, chairman of the BSIA’s Security Consultancies Section, spoke about the overall integration of security systems and services and how their use can go beyond their traditional security function
Broadening the scope of security systems
Alex Carmichael, director of technical services at the BSIA and panel moderator for the event, said: “Recent developments in technology have enabled the scope of security systems to be broadened, making them more flexible as well as easy to use and easier to integrate with other non-security measures.”
He continued: “This means systems such as access control, CCTV and intruder alarms can now be successfully employed not only for the protection of premises, staff and equipment, but also for Health and Safety, energy management and training purposes and much more besides.”
In conclusion, the 2011 Security Excellence Awards judge stated: “This year’s BSIA panel at TWM served as an eye-opener for facilities managers in charge of procuring and managing security strategies, with our three BSIA experts clearly demonstrating the benefits that can be attained from making intelligent use of the growing scope of security technology.”
To find out more about extending the value of your security measures, visit the BSIA online
Amanda Beesley is PR and marketing communications manager at the BSIA