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Thursday 28 July 2011

Press Release: The NSWU announces Top 10 Security Industry Employers Awards


PRESS RELEASE

To promote and improve the treatment of UK security industry workers, we are announcing a new award.

An award that is voted for by the workers. All those that work for a company that not only pays fairly, but is decent, understanding and treats its employees with the respect that such vital and valuable staff deserve, are encouraged to tell us about it.

We have all heard the horror stories and could list the 'companies to avoid', but we want to promote and recognise the decent employers in the industry, while encouraging those that are 'not so good', to change.

The Union hopes to make this an annual award, and will accept nominations and supporting information, from all workers within the industry, Union members or not.

We know that good treatment from an employer creates and attracts motivated, committed and professional staff. This benefits the end customer as well as the employer in so many ways. We hope that the award winning companies will be a beacon for less enlightened organisations to follow and that, as a result, standards within the industry will start to improve.

Nominations will be accepted from now, and the Award winners will be officially announced in December, date to be confirmed nearer the time....

This is just one of many initiatives that the NSWU intends to implement with the intention of driving industry standards ever upwards and in so doing, increase the level of respect and appreciation for the vital work performed by the workers in the UK security industry.

http://www.thenswu.org/     NSWUinfo@gmail.com     Twitter: @theNSWU

Wednesday 20 July 2011

Guest Blogger: Travel Safety, Whether By Car, Sea, Plane, or Train!

Below is a guest post from SpyTown.com on the topical subject of travel safety.

Traveling is a wonderful experience, and whether you’re traveling abroad or going to the beach for a week, safety should always be on the forefront of your mind. After all, you want to have a great trip that you’ll remember for years to come with a smile on your face – rather than thinking about that day you got pick pocketed! Here are some tried and true travel safety tips to keep your travels safe and secure.

Keep An Eye On Your Luggage

We all fear that the airlines will lose our luggage, but what about it being stolen? There is an unfortunate amount of travelers that experience just this every year, and it’s as easy as someone else picking your bag up from the baggage claim belt. Be sure to stand close to where the luggage is coming out of the belt or near where you’re collecting it, and keep a keen eye out for your bag. Black, nondescript bags are prime targets, so choose luggage in a brighter color or pattern, or affix colorful ribbons to your luggage so you can easily pick it out as yours. Thieves will be less likely to steal luggage that can be easily identified as another’s.

Stay Smart With Street Smarts

We know that we should wear a money belt and not take any short cuts when walking around a city, but well, when we’re busy or feeling rushed, those go right out the window – right with our wallet! Commit to street smarts while traveling: always wear a money belt, do not take short cuts (like cutting through an alley, no matter how short it is), do your best to walk as if you know where you’re going, and keep a relatively low profile so as to not attract unwanted attention.

Use That Copier Machine

Getting a passport or driver’s license stolen is a scary experience, especially if you’re abroad. Keep your passport in the hotel safe, but make multiple copies of it, and bring those along with you when you’re out and about – never the original! You may need to carry your original driver’s license with you, but keep copies of it in the hotel safe, in your luggage, and with family members at home. In addition, be sure to send a copy of your passport to your embassy, should you be traveling internationally, so they are very aware you are overseas.




Secure Your Hotel Like You Secure Your Home

You wouldn’t leave your front door unlocked, would you? Well, we hope not! Same goes for a hotel – hotel thefts are fairly common, so always lock and deadbolt the door. Keep money and important documents in the safe – not lying around or in your luggage. Just as you wouldn’t walk around your neighborhood alone at night, only leave your room or walk along hotel corridors at night with hotel security or one of your travel partners.

These are just a handful of travel safety tips – what travel safety tips do you live and travel by? Share with us by leaving a comment!

Guest blog post by SpyTown.com home security cameras – SpyTown.com has advised many a traveler on safety and security. Before you leave for your travels, consider installing home Internet security cameras so you can view your home’s security feeds from anywhere with a secure Internet connection!

Tuesday 12 July 2011

Threat Level Lowered - 'Substantial'

Home Secretary Theresa May has announced that the terror threat level for the UK has been reduced from severe to substantial.

However, a terrorist attack still remains a strong possibility and may well occur without further warning, she went on to warn.

Mrs May said: "The change in the threat level to substantial does not mean the overall threat has gone away - there remains a real and serious threat against the United Kingdom and I would ask the public to remain vigilant."
There are five levels of threat, ranging from low, meaning an attack is unlikely, to critical, when an attack is expected imminently.

The Home Secretary said: "The decision to change the threat level is taken by JTAC (the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre) independently of ministers and is based on the very latest intelligence, considering factors such as capability, intent and timescale."

The terror threat level was first made public on August 1, 2006, and was set at severe.
Just nine days later it was raised to critical following a series of arrests over an alleged plot to blow up a transatlantic aircraft, but was once again lowered to severe the week after.

The threat was last increased to critical in June 2007, following an attack on Glasgow Airport in which a car loaded with explosive canisters was driven at the entrance to the terminal. The day before, two bombs were discovered at central London locations and disarmed.

The level is under constant review and often changes quickly in response to events.

The threat from dissident Republican and Loyalist terrorists in Northern Ireland was increased to substantial in September 2010, meaning an attack was a "strong possibility".

It followed a warning from the head of the MI5 that dissident Irish Republicans could attempt to mount a wave of terrorist attacks on the British mainland.

Scotland Yard chief Sir Paul Stephenson also urged the public to remain vigilant days after the world's most wanted man, Osama bin Laden, was killed in a US operation in Pakistan.

Sir Paul said: "Osama bin Laden led an organisation which is responsible for the injury and death of thousands of people worldwide in the name of an extreme and perverted ideology, committed to the use of terror and murder to achieve their aims. "However, one man's death does not mark the end of an ideology and we must remain alert to the continuing threat from al Qaeda, its affiliates and those acting alone."

Chatback says: I completely understand the process of evaluating the threat level and response, although I do find it difficult to understand why now as this is not in keeping with what is being said elsewhere publicly. There is a real danger to organisations in not maintaining momentum with their security arrangements and makes discussions about enhancing those security mitigation's or understanding the current security risks that more difficult.

Prior to the terror threat level that was first made public on August 1, 2006, the level was again reduced in July 2005 and the following day the atrocities of 7/7 occurred.

Whilst it is inappropriate to maintain an unnecessary level of threat response, I do hope for a consistent approach in the timings of changing the level and hope it's for the right reasons and not political.....

Posted by Richard using BlogPress from my iPhone

Monday 11 July 2011

Guest Blogger: How To Keep Your Mobile Phone Safe

This article was written by Natalie Sabin, it maintains the theme of mobile phones and although the alledged answer phone hacking was thought to have occured via the remote voicemail system having your mobile stolen or losing it is a risk all of us with smartphones must be nervous of and any preventive action is something to bare in mind...

Mobile phone theft is a serious problem and smart phones are one of the most targeted items by thieves. Here are some ways to reduce the risk of you getting your mobile phone stolen.


Firstly, always be aware of your surroundings. It’s likely that your phone will be easier to steal when you are in a crowd or on a night out where there are lots of people. One swift grab and its gone forever! The more people there are, the more closely you should guard your phone.


Always be aware of where your phone is. If you’re not using it, keep it in the same place in your handbag or your pocket. Then if it does go missing, you know straight away that you do not have it. This could buy you crucial time if you have left it somewhere unattended.


Don’t advertise your phone to thieves, do not have it in view unless you are using it. Also never leave your phone in your car, it only takes a few seconds for someone to smash the window and take it.


When out to dinner or at a bar do not have your mobile phone on the table. It is too easy for someone to take it in passing if you don’t have your eye on it. Also, you are supposed to be enjoying yourself; leave your phone alone for 5 minutes!


If keeping your phone in a handbag make sure it is kept in an inner pocket where possible. Also keep your handbag securely closed so that a thief cannot just grab your phone when you’re not looking. Always keep your handbag next to you and in your view. All it takes is a turn of the head and a thief can get their hands in there and take your phone.


If you keep your phone in your pocket never keep it in your back pocket. It is too easy for someone to take it out without you noticing – some of these criminals have sinister skills as they do this all day everyday! If kept in your back pocket it is also easy for it to fall out when you sit down, leaving it vulnerable to opportunistic thieves. Keeping your phone in your back pocket can also damage the screen (this is from personal experience!).


Always use a pass code on your phone. In the unfortunate circumstances that your phone is stolen it will give you valuable time in order to get it immobilised so that it becomes useless to the thief – for a free immobilisation service register your mobile phone on http://www.immobilise.com/.

It is also advised that you insure your phone to make sure it’s covered in the event of a loss or theft (or if you keep it in your back pocket!) – visit mobile phone insurance to get cover for your phone.

Guest Blog by Natalie Sabin works in 'mobile phone insurance', she is an Information Science graduate with an interest in mobile communications and in harnessing the power of social media to reach all corners of the globe!

Monday 4 July 2011

Security Directors Guilty of Failing to Provide Information and Making False Statements

Two security directors were ordered to pay fines and costs of almost £30,000 after pleading guilty to security offences on Monday [20 June].

Peter Kihara Kahoro, 38, and Penina Wambui Kihara, 42, both from Cricklade, Swindon and directors of Luton-based Express Security Solutions Ltd and Express Security Ltd, appeared at Swindon Magistrates Court.

Kahoro admitted failing to provide information to, and intentionally making false statements to, the Security Industry Authority. Kihara admitted failing to provide information to, and recklessly making false statements to, the SIA.

The Security Industry Authority launched an investigation amid concerns about unlicensed individuals, false identities and improper immigration controls. The investigation involved four companies, Express Personnel Ltd, Express Security Solutions Ltd, Express Security Ltd and Express Security (UK) Ltd, all of which appear to have operated interchangeably under the trading name of Express Security.

The court heard that in June 2010, Kahoro was requested by the SIA under its powers to provide information in relation to Express Security Solutions Ltd. He failed to provide the information requested and his reply to the SIA stated that he had "no interest in any security company other than a client accountant relationship."

The court then heard that, also in June 2010, Kihara had received a similar request in relation to Express Security Ltd. Her response to the SIA was that the company of which she was a director had no employees and no work.

The prosecution said Kahoro's reply was "entirely misleading and done to avoid providing information about the people he supplied on site," and that Kihara's statement "was misleading and false.

The representative for Kahoro described Kahoro's response as "ill judged and intemperate...his actions have been at significant cost to him."
The representative for Kihara stated that she had not understood the request and "did not make diligent enquiries."

In sentencing Kahoro, the magistrate, said: "Clearly the SIA made a legitimate request... quite clearly your letter was misjudged and not appropriate for a properly run company, you were not fully aware of the powers the SIA has to control the industry." He said of Kihara: "much the same is true."

The court took into account Kihara's early guilty plea, but also Kahoro's delayed plea, their financial means and submissions made by their representatives.
Kahoro was fined £1,000 for failing to comply with the SIA's request for information, £2,000 for making a false statement and ordered to pay £20,000 costs.

Kihara was fined £1,000 for failing to comply with the SIA's request for information, £750 for recklessly making a false statement and ordered to pay £5,000 costs. Both were ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge each.

SIA Head of Formal Investigation Sara Brennan said:

"The court recognised the seriousness of the offences presented and the importance of the powers given to the SIA under the Private Security Industry Act 2001 to regulate the industry.

"The case involved four legal entities; Kahoro and Kihara attempted to confuse the investigation in respect of which entity was trading.

"Mr Kahoro is a Chartered Accountant and the defence advised the court that this conviction would have an adverse impact on his ability to continue to practice as such.

"The outcome of this case signifies the importance of adherence to requests for information by the SIA. This includes persons of professional standing."