After years of preparation, the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are now over and the nation’s attention is wholly focused on one word: legacy.
For the security sector, of course, the legacy of the Games is particularly important, with many Olympic initiatives set to continue into the foreseeable future.
The close protection sector is one area of UK private security that has created an Olympic legacy in the form of its Close Protection Co-ordination Unit (CPCU), which will continue to operate for the foreseeable future.
Designed to help visiting VIPs and dignitaries locate a reputable close protection supplier, the CPCU provides a single point of contact which puts visitors to the UK directly in touch with companies working to the relevant British Standards in the provision of close protection services.
As the organisation behind this initiative, the BSIA co-operated with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to devise a scheme that would work not only for the busy Olympic period, but that could remain in place thereafter and offer a useful point of contact for VIP visitors.
Easing pressures on the police service
Mike O’Neill, chairman of the BSIA’s Close Protection Section, commented: “Prior to the Games, there was a commonly-held perception that the Metropolitan Police Service would provide close protection services to all the visiting dignitaries, but with police close protection resources allocated very early on, many visitors experienced a last-minute need to appoint a private sector company to provide close protection services during this summer’s celebrations.”
Of course, faced with further budget cuts across the public sector, the ability of local police forces to provide close protection services to visiting dignitaries remains in question. As such, the CPCU will provide a lasting legacy in terms of easing the pressure on police forces while continuing to ensure that visiting VIPs receive a high quality service.
O’Neill continued: “Peace of mind is key to the service offered by the CPCU. Members of the BSIA’s Close Protection Section have a good working knowledge of London’s geography and culture, and can help visitors with all aspects of planning their visit to ensure that their time in the UK runs smoothly.”
The Close Protection Co-ordination Unit operates from 9.00 am-5.00 pm (BST), Monday to Friday, and can be reached by telephone or e-mail as follows:
Telephone: 0207 516 1258, e-mail: 2012cpunit@bsia.co.uk
To find out more about the BSIA and its Close Protection Section visit the dedicated pages of the Trade Association website
Deadline approaches for 2013 BSIA Security Personnel Awards
The Security Personnel Awards provide an ideal opportunity for BSIA member companies to reward their outstanding security officers for their dedication, loyalty, teamwork, customer service skills, use of technology and bravery.
The application date to enter the 2013 awards is fast approaching: all submissions must be made by 31 October 2012.
Security personnel can be nominated in the following categories: Service to the Customer, Outstanding Act, Best Newcomer, Best Use of Technology and Best Team.
With the popularity of the awards growing year-on-year, it’s important that companies use the nomination forms to give as full a picture of the achievements of their security personnel and teams as possible.
Each entry form highlights all the judging criteria relevant to that category and it’s highly recommended that a paragraph covering each of the relevant criteria be completed, followed by an overall short summary of the candidate’s/team’s achievements.
Nomination forms for all of the award categories can be downloaded from the BSIA website.
For questions relating to the awards, contact the BSIA’s events manager Christine Brooks on (telephone) 0845 389 0743 or via e-mail at: c.brooks@bsia.co.uk
The Big Issue: Banknote Watch – dedicated phone line goes live
A new telephone line has been set up by crime reduction partnership Banknote Watch to help members of the public, the police service and business owners identify, report and trace stained banknotes.
Banknote Watch is a crime prevention initiative which unites the manufacturers, installers and users of cash staining systems with the Government and police. Its aim is to prevent criminals profiting from the proceeds of crime and reduce the risk of businesses becoming the victims of robbery.
After all, if a criminal cannot spend the stained notes they’ve stolen, they will not have the incentive to try again – thus reducing the incidences of armed robbery on fellow retailers and Cash-in-Transit crews.
Thanks to developments in crime-fighting technology, stolen banknotes are becoming ever easier to spot. If a note is stained, it’s likely that it has been stolen in a bank or Cash-in-Transit robbery.
When cash is stolen in a robbery, technology within cash boxes releases a coloured dye or smoke, staining the cash to such an extent that it’s easily recognisable as stolen. This dye, which also spreads onto the skin and clothing of anyone handling the stolen notes, contains unique taggants – or codes – which leave an information trail to enable police to trace a stolen note (or indeed, a person handling it) to a specific scene of crime.
Refund on all recovered notes
Due to this crime-fighting capability, criminals often try to dispose of stolen notes as quickly and covertly as possible. Luckily, reporting the presence of a stained note does not mean that an individual or business will lose the money altogether, as the Bank of England offers a refund for all stained banknotes it receives.
For the police, this new telephone number will allow them faster access to industry experts, enabling them to identify the manufacturer of a unique taggant and thus speed up the crime-solving process.
Officers can also use the number to obtain a login to the secure area of the Banknote Watch website, which in itself provides a wealth of information on tracking stained notes to their source.
For those interested in finding out more about Banknote Watch visit the web pages or call the new hotline on 0845 872 0106
Amanda Beesley is PR and marketing communications manager at the British Security Industry Association