Security Viewpoint

CViT robbery reductions are “a police service priority”

Deterring cash-and-valuables-in-transit robberies is a top priority for police forces around the country this Christmas, a time when the number of raids traditionally increases.

As part of ‘Operation Safer Cash’, the West Midlands Police is planning a series of high profile and covert operations, with all officers on uniformed patrol being asked to remain particularly vigilant. The West Midlands service has also joined forces with BSIA Cash-and-Valuables-in-Transit (CViT) member companies in offering a £10,000 cash reward for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of armed robbers.

In addition, under the auspices of ‘Operation Safer Cash’, the Coventry Operational Command Unit of West Midlands Police and similar units operated by Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Warwickshire forces are all carrying out similarly dedicated and targeted operations.

Meanwhile, six police forces in the North West are teaming up for the second year running to counter CViT robberies. Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire, Cheshire, Cumbria and North Wales Police are working together to safeguard CViT vehicles during delivery and pick-up times by using both high visibility and covert patrols on the ground and in the air. A new regional intelligence co-ordinator for the North West Region will oversee the entire operation.

In addition, ‘Operation Liaison’ in Greater Manchester, ‘Operation Vault’ in Lancashire and ‘Operation Guardian’ on Merseyside are dedicated seasonal initiatives. ‘Operation Hawk-Eye’ continues throughout the year in Greater Manchester.

For the first time, all eight Scottish forces have launched a joint operation for the Christmas period. Yorkshire Police are again running ‘Operation Plum’, while the Met covers CViT under the remit of The Flying Squad.

Employment Screening Forum to be held at the BSI

The British Standards Institution (BSI) is hosting an Employment Screening Forum at its Group headquarters in Chiswick on Tuesday 7 December.

The Forum will include presentations from a number of key industry figures, including John Saunders – chief executive of the Security Industry Authority – who’ll be concentrating on ‘Screening in a regulated environment’. Derek Smith – chairman of GW/3 and a director at both Legion Security and the BSIA – is to speak about BS 7858:2004, while Simon Dawson (head of corporate investigations at the Risk Advisory Group) presents his discourse on ‘Employees: your greatest asset, your biggest threat’.

To book your place please telephone the BSI direct on 020 8996 9001. Note that a discounted rate is available for members of the Association.

Guide on DDA compliance for access control systems

With the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) at the top of the agenda for many businesses, the BSIA has launched a guide for end users to assist them in complying with the regulations.

The guide outlines the implications of the DDA for access control systems, focusing on securing an access point. It also discusses authorising technology which allows users to enter certain areas of a premises/site.

The guide provides a useful breakdown of the various types of access control equipment available, and the degree to which each is likely to be compliant. It also contains basic advice on how current systems might be adapted to comply with the DDA.

Free copies of the British Security Industry Association’s ‘Guide to the Disability Discrimination Act’ may be downloaded from: www.bsia.co.uk/download.html

BSIA Annual Security Officer of the Year Awards 2005

Nominations are now being invited from BSIA member companies for the Annual Security Officer of the Year Awards 2005.

The Awards – which are always covered in great detail in the pages of Security Management Today (‘Simply The Best’, SMT, July 2004, pp22-25) – recognise the achievements of security officers in the following categories: Service to the Customer, Outstanding Act, Best Newcomer, Best Use of Technology and Best Team.

In 2005, the Awards will be sponsored once again by long-time supporter Camberford Law plc.

The closing date for nominations is Friday 10 December. To download an electronic nomination form, visit the ‘Members Only’ area of the BSIA web site.