SIA News 27/01/2012

Security Staff Needed For Games

It has been revealed this week that just four people are applying for each of the 10,000 security jobs which will be available at the Olympic Games this year, leading to fears that the positions will be difficult to fill. However Olympic security bosses have said that recruitment and training will be completed in time, despite the countrywide average for other types of position being a ratio of 23 applicants for each job.

Mark Hamilton from security firm G4S, the company which is providing security for the Olympic Games has said that they are meeting and exceeding their recruitment targets at the moment. He says that 4,500 jobs have already been filled and that 50% of applications had come from local people.

The wages which will be offered to security staff at the games will be £8.50 per hour and each staff member will receive a security license which will be valid for a further three years.

A recruitment centre has opened this week in Newnham in a bid to let people know about the opportunities which are available to security personnel during the games. Hamilton has pointed out that the company is encouraging local people to apply for the jobs which will include bag and vehicle searching. Security staff will be working alongside military personnel, police and volunteers.

Games Military Guards Will Not Answer To Security Staff

The head of the London Games organising committee (Locog) has stated that while the military and private security staff will be working side by side at the games, military personnel will not take orders from military staff and will only be answerable to senior Games officials or the police.

Paul Deighton was speaking at the launch of a recruitment drive by G4S, the security contractor for the games. He pointed out that the military and security staff need to be given separate tasks to complete and will have separate chains of command. In an incident the police will take control.

Around 7,000 military staff are expected to be working at the games and will be receiving the same security training as other security staff. However some venues or occasions will be exclusively guarded by the military who will be wearing their uniforms.

Despite the heavy security presence, Olympic organisers are keen for the event to be less about security and more about sport. They not not want security staff to be obtrusive.

Intersec Highlights Demand For Security Equipment In Middle East

This years Intersec event which has been held in Dubai has prompted research from the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) to be released. The results have indicated that despite tough international trading conditions, the demand from the Middle East for the latest security systems is still high.

It was found that 62% of the export council member companies which responded had seen an increase in exports to this region over the last year and 31% saw their export remain stable. Just 6% saw a drop in their sales to the region.

The types of security firms which responded were 75% electronic security manufacturers, 12% who were involved in cash and property marking and the rest were installers and distributors.

When it came to the decision making process it was found that 57% of purchasers took price into account while 29% were interested in innovation and technological advances. 14% were interested in industry standards from the company from whom they were buying. This is an encouraging sign as this means that the company is a member of BSIA.

The purchasers were found to come mostly from the Government, following by the hotel and leisure market and retail. Transport came up the rear.

Late Night Drinking Under Review

A consultation has been launched this week which will allow the public to comment on measures which have been proposed to help communities deal with late night drinking. The new measures are due to be introduced this Autumn and will allow for a levy to be placed on late night licenses to cover the cost of extra policing between the hours of midnight and 6am.

The public will be asked to comment on whether certain types of venues should be exempt or be able to apply for a reduction in the levy.

The new legislation will be part of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 and has been introduced to give power back to local communities who are dealing with drunken disorder late at night.

Lord Henley, the minister from crime prevention and anti-social behaviour reduction has said that they recognise that some venues may serve alcohol late into the night, but do not contribute to anti-social problems. These venues might include cinemas, hotels or communities venues.

Lord Henley is asking for the police, the public, the licensed trade and authorities to contribute to the consultation which will run until April 2012.