Author Archives: Debbie Kelly

SIA launches telephone licence renewal service

Monday, March 26, 2012 Comments Off by Debbie Kelly

A telephone renewals service that allows SIA licence holders to renew without having to complete an application form has been launched today [26 March].

The improved licence renewal service has been introduced in response to customer feedback, and is available for anyone renewing a licence, or applying for an additional licence in another sector, who:

-              Is renewing, or already holds, a current SIA licence;

-              Has previously supplied a passport, a UK digital passport number, or a UK driving   licence;

-              Has kept their name and address details up to date;   and

-              Will pay the licence fee by debit or credit card.

 During the telephone conversation, applicants will be asked to confirm their details, make a declaration that the information provided is accurate and make a card payment for the licence application fee. The whole process should take around 15 minutes and means that no application form or documents need to be completed and sent.

The SIA will then complete the required checks, including requesting a criminal record check, before making a decision on the licence application and, if granted, issuing the licence.

SIA assistant director of Customer Services and Quality Improvement Christy Hopkins said: “This is part of our drive to simplify and modernise our customer services. Customers have told us they think renewing their licence should be more straightforward and we’ve listened. The telephone service will make the renewal application quicker for licence holders but it is just one of the improvements we are making to our service. Later this year we plan to launch a fully online renewals service which will make it easier for companies to renew on behalf of their staff.”

 

Manchester security supplier loses ACS appeal

Wednesday, January 11, 2012 Comments Off by Debbie Kelly

A security company refused accreditation through a government scheme has been ordered to pay more than £25,000 after losing its appeal against the decision.

21st Security Ltd applied for membership of the Security Industry Authority’s Approved Contractor Scheme, but was refused on the grounds that it was not considered fit and proper to hold the accreditation.

The company, based at Monsal Road, Newton Heath in Manchester, supplied security guards to premises in the Greater Manchester area.

Joint agency site visits involving the SIA and Greater Manchester Police, as part of the Salford based initiative Project Gulf, established that the firm had been deploying unlicensed operatives and individuals without the right to work in the UK.

Information to support the SIA’s decision to refuse the company’s application for SIA Approved Contractor status was provided by a number of enforcement partners including Greater Manchester Police, the Department for Work and Pensions and the UK Border Agency.

After 21st Security’s application was refused, the company lodged an appeal. At City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday [09 Jan], a district judge dismissed this appeal and awarded the SIA £25,269 in costs. 21st Security Ltd did not attend the hearing.

Assistant Director ACS Andrew Shephard said: “This was a complex ACS appeal case, which required the coordination and gathering of evidence from a number of agencies working in partnership. The outcome upholds the SIA’s decision to refuse this company approved contractor status, helping to ensure that the credibility of the SIA Approved Contractor Scheme be maintained.”

Keep the burglar out this winter with simple security precautions, says BSIA

Monday, October 31, 2011 Comments Off by Debbie Kelly

 The clocks going back on Sunday 30th October  marked the start of the burglar’s favourite time of the year – the winter season. Prolonged hours of darkness provide the perfect conditions for opportunistic crime. The British Security Industry Association (BSIA), the trade association for the professional security industry in the UK, therefore urges homeowners and businesses to stay safe this winter, by adopting simple and easy to implement precautions.

“Throughout the years we have definitely seen an increase in opportunistic crime during the winter season, largely due to the darker nights and properties being left empty for prolonged periods of time during the festive season.” says James Kelly, Chief Executive of the BSIA. “However, often by simply adopting straightforward and commonsense steps it is possible to dramatically reduce the likelihood of these incidents occurring.

“Firstly, it is important to ensure that all gates, doors and windows are properly locked at all times. This applies both to sites left vacant or to occupied properties, especially in the evenings. Remember also to check all your physical security equipment such as locks and barriers to make sure they are still effective, and replace any damaged or poor quality items”.

James continues: “Should your home or business have electronic security measures in place such as CCTV, also remember to adjust the settings to match the change in natural lighting times. If remote monitoring and lighting are controlled separately, for example, ensure you put the timer back on the lighting after British Summer Time ends. Left out of sync, the monitoring will come on but there will be an unwanted gap before the lighting follows. Moreover, ensure adequate lighting is in place. Having vital areas of a site in darkness is far from ideal and, by the same token, too much light in the wrong place, for instance shining directly into cameras blinding them, is not advisable.

“Finally”, he warns, “if you are leaving buildings unattended for long periods of time during the festive season, take precautionary measures such as closing the curtains but leaving a light on, to deter intruders without allowing them to look inside your property, or ask a trusted neighbour or family member to keep an eye on your estate whilst you are away”.

“There are plenty of security measures available on the market to help you secure your home or business, such as locks for windows and doors, bells or monitored intruder alarms, CCTV, property marking systems and/or security lighting, however, the quality of such measures is paramount to sure their effectiveness in keeping would be intruders away from the premises. Before choosing which solution is right for you, you should consider how the burglar could gain entry to your property, and seek expert advice where necessary”, concludes Mr Kelly.

The BSIA website provides details of member companies that comply with relevant British and European Standards. Search for a member at www.bsia.co.uk/company-finder.

Dartford security director ordered to pay £25,000

Thursday, October 6, 2011 Comments Off by Debbie Kelly

A security director has been ordered to pay almost £25,000 after being found guilty of working unlicensed and failing to provide the Security Industry Authority with information.
Celestine Okogwu, 52, had his licence revoked by the SIA, but continued to work as director of Dartford-based Absolute Guards UK Limited, supplying security guards to a site in Northolt.
SIA investigators contacted Okogwu asking him to provide details of the company. When no response was received an investigation was launched, during which he failed to attend an interview and failed to provide material to document the company’s activities and to whom it supplied guards.
During prosecution by the SIA, Okogwu failed to attend court on three occasions, but was convicted in his absence at Dartford Magistrates’ Court and a warrant for his arrest was issued. He was sentenced on 7 September 2011.
Okogwu, of Birbetts Road, Mottingham, south east London, was fined £3,000 for working as an unlicensed director and £10,000 for two counts of failing to provide information to the SIA. He was also ordered to pay costs of £11,731.86 and a £15 victim surcharge. The fines and costs totalled £24,746.86.
SIA Head of Investigation Nathan Salmon said: “We are pleased with the outcome of this investigation. Mr Okogwu was not compliant with the law and demonstrated an unwillingness to cooperate. This case sends a strong message to non-compliant individuals that courts take such failings seriously and are willing to hand out strong penalties.”
The SIA is continuing its investigations into Absolute Guards UK Limited.