Instalments

"Speaking at the presentation, Mr John Patten, Minister of State, commented: 'These certificates are the first fruit of the Security Systems Inspectorate, launched only eight months ago. They represent tangible evidence of the BSIA's firm commitment to earn higher standards of quality and service from a self-regulated private security industry.

(Those first 7 5 were: ADT Systems, London and Manchester; Britannia Security Systems plc, Maidstone; Chubb Alarms Ltd, London, Reading and Birmingham; Custodian Security Ltd, Croydon; Lander Alarms (Scotland), Glasgow; Modern Alarms Ltd, London and Birmingham; Securicor Granley Systems Ltd, London and Manchester; Shorrock Security Systems Ltd, London; and Thorn Security Ltd, London and Bristol.)

A verified visionary thinker!
(Readers' requests for more about central stations prompted us to publish a paper presented by Peter Stark of Britannia Security at the Electronic Security & Surveillance Seminar. He had a vision ... )

"The central station operation can be considered as the one major area of development in the way we design, install and respond to security systems. We are all aware of the seemingly never ending problem of false alarms and, despite improvements in detection devices and control equipment, added to the determined efforts being made by security companies and other bodies such as BSIA and NSCIA, we are seeing very little in the way of improvement.

"To my way of thinking, the real way forward is to think in terms of what I would describe as a 'verified alarm call'."

The argument still goes on
(A letter in our 1988 Mailbox proves that the dispute over which industry body is the best isn't a new one ... )

"Over the months, Mailbox has become a page where installers can bring each other's work into disrepute.

"What the hell does it matter whether an installer is a member of the NSCIA or the IAAI, or even BSIA? What does matter is that they have taken the trouble to join a trade association and by that they are trying to improve their work and expertise."

Now that time has come
(In the wake of the Kings Cross and Bradford football ground disasters, Arthur Snow advised installers to bone up on the new laws governing fire safety and their implications for security measures ... )

"Physical security for buildings subject to the fire safety laws can be very difficult to achieve, thus making unlawful entry relatively easy for thieves who, emboldened by continuing success, will take what to us appears to be increased risks to overcome obstacles...

"Stout doors, well-fitted hardware and effective alarms together can promote security in spite of the restrictions imposed by fire safety laws but a change in security philosophy has to be worked out for the future...

"Quality real time television pictures available for examination by trained operators would have to form an essential part of any new approach, perhaps via cable TV circuits which are being laid and will one day be in place throughout the country. The operators would have to interpret what they see and make a sensible judgement on their next move so that an enthusiastic response from the police could be arranged and ... NICK NICK!... the finest deterrent of all will, once again, be the norm."