As another eventful 12 months in the security sector draws to a close, Security Management Today pinpoints some of the major events and talking points that helped shape the industry's route towards regulation.
In our review of 2002, we stated that this year could well "prove to be a monumental year for the industry". In many ways, it has. The Security Industry Authority is now fully-operational, and on the cusp of beginning licensing for real. Police Community Support Officers are actively patrolling our streets, and forward-thinking private sector guarding companies working with them (and alongside the police service proper) in a bid to realise the 'extended police family'.

Giant strides have been made by the team at SITO to genuinely connect with the organisation's customer base, offering a training regime that truly ties-in with the latter's needs and aspirations.

We've also witnessed the birth of a sea change in systems provision, with IP surveillance technology (among others) 'coming of age'. This could well signal the emergence of a new security regime, one in which IT and security functions converge in an holistic mix that offers major benefits for service provider and customer alike.

What can we expect of 2004, though? There will certainly be a change in the corporate security manager's mindset in terms of how they assess their risks, with suicide bombers now a very real threat (particularly in the Capital). Whatever the scenario, rest assured that SMT will report on every major development affecting your profession.

January

At the beginning of a landmark year in which the Security Industry Authority would roll-out its licensing operation, SITO director and general manager Stefan Hay urged more industry stakeholders to play an active part in recognising that continual staff development is both a strategic and societal issue.

At the same time, Health and Safety Executive supremo Bill Callaghan reported a “disturbing” rise in workplace-related violence, unveiling details of a three-year dedicated Home Office programme aimed at tackling what is now a hugely serious issue.

In the systems sector, all talk rounded on Internet Protocol (IP)-based issues – and, more specifically, IP surveillance. Is it a gimmick, or the ‘Next Big Thing’ that will take CCTV to an entirely different level? Time will tell, but the success of the first IIPSEC Exhibition and Conference at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham left no-one in any doubt that IP cannot be ignored by end users. Securicor Security posted increased profits in a “highly competitive” UK guarding market, which was still looking for an answer to the problem of contract failure caused by staff shortages. Security Watchdog md Terry O’Neil proferred some solutions for contractors.

The BSI published BS 5839 Part 1, which stirred more than a little controversy...

February

Beleagured home secretary David Blunkett announced central Government plans to spend £190 million on tackling drug-related crime across the UK’s worst ‘hot spots’. He would end the year under siege following reports in the national press alleging substantial hikes in crime rates (and in particular gun crime). A worrying trend.

On a similar note, the Second Edition of the European Retail Theft Barometer suggested that the UK continues to head up the European ‘league’ for retail theft, with losses of £19 billion in the previous financial year.

As part of its ongoing engagement with stakeholders in the sector, the Security Industry Authority detailed its spring Roadshow programme that would coincide with a ‘going live’ official launch in April.

Mike Bluestone – managing director at the BSB Group – emphasised the need for security professionals to be trained in the broader skills of management, and the use of intelligence as a resource for practical security. Importantly, within our in-depth Profile, Bluestone hinted that the traditional promotional route from military and police backgrounds to private sector security can be as much of a hindrance as a help. SMT announced its co-sponsorship of Consec – the annual gathering of the ASC.

March

BSIA chief executive David Dickinson stated that: “The time has come to have an honest and open debate with all of the industry’s stakeholders concerning hours of work in the manned security industry”. Alas, October would come and go with no decision from Westminster on the UK’s opt-out clause from the Working Time Directive.

Until now, very little research had been conducted into how financial institutions in the UK are managing the compliance requirements designed to prevent and detect money laundering. In an exclusive report, Professor Martin Gill unveiled the latest findings from his own research concern Perpetuity Research and Consultancy International. Gill concluded that we need much better information concerning the use of new technology and its interaction with the decision-making processes of managers.

A seminal Court ruling in Strasbourg prompted ADT Fire and Security to issue a stark warning for all CCTV end users to pay heed when it comes to their Data Protection Act obligations. Have you informed the Information Commissioner about your system? If not, you could be in severe trouble.

SMT focused on contracting-out of the security management service with a detailed study of the Imperial War Museum North.

April

The Security Industry Authority opened for business at the same time as Home Office minister John Denham resigned from the Labour Government over the Cabinet’s stance on the looming Iraqi conflict.

ACPO was clearly delighted by the latest police service intruder alarm statistics published in SMT. In 2002, false calls were down by nearly 270,000 (a decrease of 30% over 2001 – and the highest decrease ever recorded in one calendar year).

First Security (Guards) managing director Jonathan Levine suggested that end users will have to help their security companies cover the cost of Congestion Charging in central London (not to mention the forthcoming licensing and rises in insurance premiums).

In another genuine ‘first’ for the industry, SMT launched ‘Ask The Security Experts’, an online service for end users to question systems suppliers and guarding contractors on procurement and specification issues.

Our comprehensive annual CCTV Solutions Supplement offered an in-depth appraisal of Control Room design for managers, the technology behind IP surveillance and the use of CCTV in sports stadiums. There’s now a plethora of monitoring and surveillance issues with which end users must familiarise themselves.

May

SMT discovered exactly how many CCTV schemes are non-Data Protection Act compliant by examining the latest research figures produced by Insight. Only 40 out of over 400 sites were displaying compliant signage. Pretty poor, it must be said.

Raymond Clarke – the creator and long-time chief executive of SITO – found himself back in the security industry after a short sabbatical, this time at the helm of Security and Facilities Education (SAFE) Ltd. Focusing on broadening the skills of security staff, the organisation officially launched on 1 May.

SMT reported extensively on the Security Industry Authority’s launch event, with major contributions to the debate on licensing and regulation being made by John Saunders (the organisation’s chief executive), Securitas CEO Thomas Berglund and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens.

The Authority also announced its Board and Stakeholder Committee, members of the latter including Nick Buckles (group chief executive at Securicor) and David Burrill, the head of group security at BAT Industries.

Encouraging members of the security workforce to achieve their optimum work-life balance has been one of the present Government’s core objectives, so SMT asked lawyer John Davies to review new legislation.

June

In a timely move, the BSIA announced plans to form a Common Interest Working Group tasked with exploring ways and means of developing cost-effective integrated security solutions for end users in the private sector. Made at the IFSEC Security Industry Awards dinner by Association chief executive David Dickinson, the announcement showed true foresight with respect to planning ahead for cost increases engendered by licensing and the Working Time Directive.

Talking of manned security, most commentators recognise that tendering for the service has become something of an adversarial process (to say the least). One that’s restrictive, expensive for contractor and end user and doesn’t always produce the desired end result. Consultant Patrick Dealtry explained that the answer to this thorny problem lies not so much with the methods in place, but with their underpinning intentions.

SMT reviewed current levels of security provision at some of the UK’s foremost nuclear energy stations, while National Security Inspectorate chief executive Tom Mullarkey explained why the organisation now had a fresh look – and a changed message – for the end user.

William Taylor, Stefan Hay and the BSIA’s George Cross were appointed to SITO’s Board.

July

Even before David Blunkett’s grand plans for an ‘extended police family’ had truly seen the light of day, some guarding contractors and forward-thinking police forces had grasped the nettle and decided to work together in the fight against crime.

SMT reported extensively on a ground-breaking collaboration between The Port of Liverpool Police and security provider UK Nationwide in which the former is using its own SITO-accredited trainers for bespoke instruction of all security officers. Crime at the Port has since dropped by 30% – a result that speaks for itself.

British Retail Consortium director general Bill Moyes used the launch conference for the organisation’s 10th Annual Retail Crime Survey to produce a scathing attack on Government for what he felt to be a lack of support for retailers in their bid to beat theft. “The Government doesn’t appear to care,” said Moyes. “Until the recent [Cabinet] re-shuffle, there was a gap of 87 days with no Home Office minister responsible for crime. Does this suggest to you that retail theft is even on the Government’s agenda?”

Andrew Harper – the managing director of security company Anchor Security – spoke wisely in urging guarding contractors to build on the Security Industry Authority’s solid foundations rather than attempt to hide behind them... although International Institute of Security chief executive Peter Jones suggested that the Security Industry Authority still had many questions to answer.

United Technologies revealed that its bold £620 million bid to buy Chubb had succeeded. Securitas had lost the battle.

August

Something of a bleak month, with the Home Office’s figures for the year ending April 2003 suggesting that incidences of violent crime had risen by 20%, while crime recorded by the police was up by nearly 10%. Then Shadow Home Secretary Oliver Letwin told SMT: “This shows yet again that the Government is making no headway at all when it comes to tackling disorder.”

The North Western Area branch of the British Transport Police showed how it has fully embraced the Home Office’s desire for a ‘wider police family’ by teaming up with security contractor Noble Security Services (UK) to safeguard major stations along the Virgin Trains-operated West Coast Main Line route. A project that could be used as the blueprint for future community policing in the UK. Fantastic.

Slowly but surely, the traditional image of the thick-set bodyguard is being confined to the history books, with professional companies now employing dedicated security advisors trained to do a good deal more than simply look imposing. In a ‘first’ for SMT, we teamed up with Controlled Event Solutions to offer an end user guide on service procurement of close protection personnel and their training requirements.

We unveiled the results of a major survey undertaken by c2c Recruitment on the terms and conditions of employment for salaried staff working in the private security sector. According to Ian Whitmore, c2c’s managing director, the results of the BSIA-commissioned study suggest that “unless improvements are witnessed over the next few years, the industry will not attract or retain the quality of candidates necessary to meet SIA objectives.”

September

A productive month for the industry. The Joint Security Industry Council kick-started events by helping to establish the inaugural All-Party Parliamentary Group to represent the views of practitioners in the private sector to representatives in both the House of Lords and the House of Commons.

Securicor Group chief executive Nick Buckles was in the news again, this time announcing that £120 million would be made available for strategic acquisitions before the month was out (and expressed an interest in parts of Chubb’s business if United Technologies ever decided to sell).

Our Profile of Stuart Lowden really helped to set the Working Time Directive – and what it means for service providers and buyers alike – in context. Never afraid to speak his mind, Stuart said with conviction: “Any company signing long term contracts today on a 56-hour roster pattern needs shooting. It’s commercial suicide, because in two years’ time they’ll not be able to recruit the staff to cover the job”. How true.

Stuart would no doubt have been impressed with the ratification (by the Confederation of European Security Services and Uni-Europa) of a guarding ‘Code of Conduct’ that would guarantee a “high level of ethics” among private security firms operating across the European Union. The Code included a firm commitment to avoiding discrimination in both work practices and relations with clients.

In our continued bid to inform and aid the industry’s fight for professional status, SMT joined forces with Reliance to canvass reader opinions on regulation and licensing.

October

It emerged that changes to the Working Time Regulations are now “unlikely” for a further two years at least. According to the BSIA chief executive David Dickinson, a good many Association member guarding companies are now prescribing a 48-hour working week for their officers, but divisions would occur if the opt-out clause were to be dropped by DTI officials. Food for thought.

Worryingly, news reached us that “dozens” of civilian officers recruited by the police service to tackle minor crime and disorder were now under investigation for – among other offences – drug dealing, assault, fraud and racial intimidation. Obviously, the police service will have to think again about its vetting and training procedures.

Incisive of word as ever, Legion Security managing director David Evans examined whether the cutting of the two-tier workforce will simply make for a level playing field for all... or spell the end of contracting-out in the public sector as we know it. At this point in time, the Jury is still out...

In the Letters pages, Devon and Cornwall Police chief constable Maria Wallis wrote in to say: “ACPO wants the Security Industry Authority to have the power to directly prosecute those companies that don’t comply with legislation. There’s also a feeling that the Approved Contractors Scheme should be mandatory as opposed to voluntary. Without such changes, unscrupulous operators will continue to undermine the benefits afforded by the Security Industry Authority’s new regime”. The debate on these issues rages on.

The Corps’ online ‘Ask The Security Expert’ session produced a huge reader response.

November

Top UK companies and public figures still live in fear of the car bomb and parcel-based devices, but security professionals are now having to reckon with the very real possibility of suicide bombers (not to mention chemical and biological attack). It’s important to remember that building design has a big part to play in negating the terrorist threat, and thus SMT asked TPS Consult director Chris Bowes to offer a ready-reckoner for managers.

The aforementioned SMT-Reliance Security Services survey of our readers revealed overwhelming support for regulation of the private security industry at the same time that Vince Gaskell – former change director at the Child Support Agency – was appointed chief executive of the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB).

Apparently, the number of applications lodged with the CRB that are over six weeks old are now said to be “less than 5% of all outstanding applications”... which should go some way towards appeasing guarding contractors (and their clients) who’d expressed grave concerns that application processing wasn’t taking place as quickly as it might have been.

The Fifth Annual Security Excellence Awards ceremony – organised by Security Management Today and its sister title Security Installer – proved to be a record-breaking occasion, with a move to The Great Room at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel and over 700 guests enjoying a night of magic and myrth courtesy of our host, illusionist Paul Zenon.

For the first time, SMT’s annual CCTV Solutions Supplement dedicated itself to the IP surveillance equation, while Legion Security celebrated its 75th Anniversary.

December

The year comes to its conclusion on several high notes. SMT conducted an exclusive interview with SIA chief executive John Saunders that highlighted just how much excellent work has already been completed on the path to a regulated and respected private security sector. Saunders is a man who speaks with tangible passion, and emits a genuine desire to change this industry for its own good... and that of society at large.

‘The Only Certainty Is Change’ couldn’t have been a more apt title for the 2003 SITO National Training Conference, at which the Security Industry Authority’s competency manager Linda Sharpe outlined the core competencies needed for licensing.

Wilson James director Stuart Lowden unveiled The Security Institute’s excellent ‘Guide to the Procurement and Management of Manned Security Services’, a comprehensive A-Z for security managers looking to work in partnership with their guarding service provider. Without doubt, this type of joined-up thinking is very much the way forward for our industry.

As the year closes, the plethora of activity in the security sector should mean that 2004 will go down in history as a pivotal year for the industry at large. The Security Industry Authority is to begin its licensing strand proper with the door supervisor brigade, at the same time formulating its final plans for regulation of manned guarding operations.

No easy task. A daunting one, in fact, but if the industry’s client and contractor bases are fully supportive of the Authority’s endeavours – as they should be – then we’ll turn a most significant corner. It’s time to walk the talk...

Source

SMT