The British security industry association (BSIA) has responded to recent Consultation Papers relevant to Cash-and-Valuables-in-Transit (CVIT) from the Department for Transport as part of its ongoing campaign to reduce CVIT robberies.

Attacks on CVIT crews have continued to rise in 2006, with a 19% increase to the end of August when compared with the same period in 2005. The BSIA and GMB Trade Union Campaign ‘Combating Cash Delivery Crime’ has made significant inroads into raising awareness of the problems being faced by contractors. However, the continuing upward trend in the number of attacks merely illustrates the pressing need for more action.

The issues surrounding these attacks are even more worrying when considering the vital public service offered by CVIT contractors. CVIT companies transport an estimated £500 billion every year (which equates to £1.4 billion per day). In order to service end user needs, the CVIT industry deploys over 8,000 couriers and a fleet of 4,000 vehicles. CVIT is the only private security service included in the Civil Contingencies Act because it is seen as being so central to the effective running of the nation.

Restrictions for ‘bullion’ vehicles

A target of the ‘Combating Cash Delivery Crime’ Campaign has been the issue of restrictions for ‘bullion’ vehicles. The biggest risk a courier faces is the journey across the pavement from the bullion vehicle to the delivery destination. Parking policy is currently fragmented on a nationwide basis and, in many areas, there are no exceptions for bullion vans.

Considerable support for addressing this issue has been voiced by both the Home Office and the Transport Select Committee. However, two Consultation Papers concerning parking regulations recently issued by the Department for Transport do not refer to the problems encountered by the CVIT industry.

Consequently, the BSIA (and its CVIT Section) has responded by writing to the Department for Transport and the Home Office calling for joined-up action on this problem.

Ultimately, the BSIA would like to see the same exemptions afforded to bullion vehicles currently allowed for Royal Mail vehicles. Business crime, human crime CVIT crime is currently classed as a ‘business crime’, and receives the attendant police resources and prison sentences that go with that designation. While this is the case, it is highly unlikely we will see a major reduction in these very ‘human crimes’.

During the 836 reported attacks perpetrated in 2005, criminals shot six couriers and a member of the public. CVIT robbery, then, affects ordinary people going about their everyday work.

The ‘Combating Cash Delivery Crime’ Campaign’s objectives are all common sense approaches to reducing the risks faced by couriers on a daily basis. With the help of the Government, the police and the business community, that vital reduction is possible.

The British security industry Association has welcomed the Government’s Public Consultation Paper on regulation of the private security industry in Northern Ireland.

The Consultation Paper was unveiled at a meeting of the BSIA’s Northern Ireland Regional Committee attended by Paul Goggins (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland) and Robin Dahlberg, acting chairman of the Security Industry Authority.

Commenting on the Consultation Paper, Alex Carmichael – the BSIA’s director of membership and technical support services told SMT: “Our Members welcome the proposals to extend licensing to Northern Ireland. This will enable the authorities to remove the minority criminal element from the industry. Regulation will then reassure customers and members of the general public of the suitability of private sector security personnel who perform such a vital role.

“We have recommended Option 3 to our Members, and will be responding to the Consultation Paper in due course, having fully canvassed their opinions. We are keen to work with the Government in ensuring that the transitional arrangements are stringent and provide a good platform upon which regulation can be built.”

Source

SMT