www.gsldardan.co.uk
Issue 52 July 2013
Also in this issue:
SIA Update The benefits of biometric security Profile of SembMarine SLP Partnership with 4YP in Ipswich
This month...
Home Office issues Surveillance Code of Practice Follow us on Twitter @gsldardan and read our blog at www.gsldardan.co.uk/blog
News & Views
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In this issue....
GSL Dardan Security Registered Office Brooke House, John Hyrne Way, Longwater Business Park, Norwich, NR5 0AF www.gsldardan.co.uk enquiries@gsldardan.co.uk @gsldardan 01603 447000 01603 447001
2 Court use of CCTV Home Office publishes CCTV Code of 3 Practice Are on site control rooms a thing of the 4 past? 5 Catching Liars 6 SIA Update The benefits of biometric security 7 solutions BSIA guidance on lone worker protection 8 in the transport industry 9 Free security services for 4YP 10-12 GSL Dardan Grapevine 13 Client Profile: SembMarine SLP
Government report condemns judicial use of CCTV A recent report conducted by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) has suggested that the UK court system is struggling to keep up with technological change. Stop the Drift 2: A Continuing Focus on 21st Century Criminal Justice found that the courts were still reliant on paper, while delays, bureaucracy and inadequate police evidence meaning trials take longer and become more expensive. A short excerpt from the report demonstrates the sorts of problems the UK judicial system is facing in adjusting to technological innovation in the surveillance industry:
“We routinely found that although CCTV evidence existed and was recorded on the case files, there was no proper description of its content, or what format was required for onward transmission. As a result, cases might not be managed efficiently upon reaching court because there was information available the prosecutor to assess relevance and important.” This is to say that even if the police were asked for evidence recorded by surveillance equipment like CCTV camera systems, the courts might not have the relevant technology to be able to access it visually.
The data may be in the wrong format for the kit that is available in the courtroom. The report even suggested that there are restrictions placed on file size transfer between the police and prosecutors. The report uses the example of an incident where footage was taken from a CCTV installation where a police officer had been assaulted. The actual footage was unable to be transferred to the CPS electronically. Instead, fifteen still photos were downloaded, scanned and emailed to the prosecutor in order to achieve a decision on whether to charge the subject.
News & Views
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Home Office publishes CCTV Code of Practice drawn up by the UK’s first Surveillance Camera Commissioner The Home Office recently published the Code of Practice relating to the use of surveillance cameras for public authorities and police forces across the United Kingdom. “Surveillance by consent” Engrained in this code is the idea that systems technical abilities must be ‘proportionate’ to their function. A camera system that monitors those entering the car park of a government building might not warrant the use of facial recognition technology for example. The dominant principle that guides the code is that of ‘surveillance by consent.’ To understand the concept of surveillance by consent, we are directed by the code to study the idea of ‘policing by consent.’ This was enshrined in the instructions given out to every new police officer from 1829. There are nine tenets of policing by consent and while it would be difficult to outline them all here, there is one general trend to be found throughout. Historian Charles Reith wrote, in his ‘New Study of Police History’ in 1956, that policing by consent was “unique in history
and throughout the world because it derived not from fear but almost exclusively from public co-operation with the police, induced by them designedly by behaviour which secures and maintains them for the approval, respect and affection of the public.” So surveillance by consent is therefore designed to protect the public from the surveillance state and ensure that we can have confidence in the way it is being used, rather than suspecting it is being used to spy on us.
respect for his or her privacy and that any surveillance of an individual must be consistent with a legitimate and pressing need. His Surveillance Code of Practice seeks to address this. “...for too long we have seen these systems grow without proper oversight.”
The UK’s very first Surveillance Camera Commissioner, Andrew Rennison, drafted the code. His position was created under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 which also called for the creation of a Surveillance Code of Practice.
The Minister for Criminal Information, Lord Holbeach, has gone on record by saying that: “CCTV and Automatic Number Plate Recognition are crucial tools for cutting crime and protecting the public, but for too long we have seen these systems grow without proper oversight. Through this code – and with an independent commissioner – there will be a framework in crime and anti-social behaviour, while reassuring that cameras in public places are used proportionately and effectively.”
Andrew Rennison created a stir soon after his appointment by expressing his concern over the use of HD surveillance and facial recognition technology and the threats they posed to human rights. He argued that it is a persons qualified right to
Should the code be breached, it will not result in criminal or civil proceedings. However, the code is admissible in court. Video evidence can therefore be discredited if obtained in a manner deemed to have breached the code.
Surveillance Camera Commissioner
News & Views
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Are on site control rooms a thing of the past? The rapid advancement of technology in the last two decades has allowed security providers to build state of the art control rooms in a centralised location. The benefits of this natural progression to buyers of security services are threefold. Cost effectiveness The first emanates from the very design of new premises. If you are able to remove the control room as a factor of your design, then the immediate benefit can be found in the lower design and build costs once this is taken out of the equation. On a much broader level however, the removal of the necessity for an on-site control room might also give some freedom to designers or architects by removing a component that can have a significant impact on the way the rest of the building is designed. Failure to adapt This can also work in the opposite way. Many modern buildings will include control rooms as an afterthought, meaning their effectiveness maybe somewhat diluted. Indeed, many control rooms that are installed at a buildings inception, will fail to adapt to changes that can occur in a relatively short period of time. The second benefit to the consumer of security services of an off-site control room refers to the ability to continue to develop in terms of technology. Where an on-site control might require continuous capital expenditure to make sure all the relevant technology is kept up to date, a security provider which is servicing thousands of customers can continue to adapt their control suite in line with developments in
technology at a lower relative cost. This stands to reason when you consider the human factor. A professional and dedicated control centre team might be more qualified to deal with complex emergency situations in a variety of contexts when compared to the potentially limited experience of a control room operator based in one building.
Risk reduction Finally, the idea that some of the risk is that negated by removing the control area from your building certainly does hold some weight. Should your premises be compromised by any number of security threats, the ability to refer to an external location for all the security requirements of the building must be re-assuring. In essence it dilutes the threat of all systems, resources and assets being lost when your building faces a significant threat to its security.
News & Views
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Catching liars
A group of researchers at the University of Portsmouth believe they have found a way to identify liars. It is said to be the first experiment of its kind to demonstrate how guilty people respond to what’s known as a Symptom Validity test. The experiment asked 86 people to commit a mock crime by stealing some data in the form of a PDF named ‘delta’, from a computer with a distinct yellow background. An additional 82 people were added to the control group who had no knowledge of the crime whatsoever. All of these people were then subjected to a lie detection test that was designed to find signs that someone is avoiding associating him or herself with anything that is directly linked to the crime in question. The Symptom Validity Test requires people to choose one from a pair of words. One of which would be created to the crime and one of which would not. The crime related words in this instance were ‘delta’, ‘yellow’ and ‘PDF’, while the non-related words were ‘red, ‘bravo’ and ‘JPEG.’ The results of the experiment showed that those with no knowledge of the crime chose an equal amount of crime related and non-crime related words. On the other hand, the so-called liars chose to avoid the crime-related words altogether. University of Portsmouth researcher Dom Shaw said: “What is unique about this study is that we found a pattern in the guilty participants’ responses. Our results suggest that at some point during the test, some liars worked out that avoiding too many crime-related words would appear suspicious. As a result, they started including crime-related words to appear as if they were choosing purely by chance.” Although these ‘smart liars’ might have beaten the test, they still left a degree of evidence that they were guilty through the pattern of their responses. Dom Shaw continued by suggesting that the test showed some promise in detecting feigned crime amnesia, but stressed that the results of the research should seen only be seen as a foundation for future research.
Charity fundraising event Gedney Dyke Village Hall Committee are holding a summer garden party in the gardens of the White House, Gedney on Sunday 14th July. The event is being hosted by Nick Chapman, a GSL Dardan security officer based at Tarmac Tallington. All the proceeds from the event will go to Callum Pite’s Smile Charity, which supports young people with cancer in the South Lincolnshire area. There will be an array of games, stalls and plants as well as a raffle, tombola, gymnastics display and a best dressed teddy competition. Any donations of Prizes for the tombola and raffle, or cakes for the cakes stalls would be gratefully received. If you have any donations please ring any of the following: Richard Ward (01406 364980) Cynthia Crane (01406 365484) Toni Woolmore (01406 363539)
News & Views
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Security Industry Authority Update Peterborough based security Industry Association (SIA) is developing a new company prosecuted by the SIA way for applicants to apply for an SIA licence. By collaborating with the Post Office, they As part of the SIA’s ongoing will introduce the new service in the autumn. enforcement and compliance operation, Applicants will no longer have to routinely Scarlet Security Limited was the focus of an send the SIA documents and photographs, intelligence report that one of their employees which can become costly and inconvenient. was working in the UK illegally and without an SIA licence. The individual in question was arrested, reported to the United Kingdom The process will work as follows: Border Agency and subsequently deported. · Applicants first log in to the SIA online The SIA took the decision to prosecute Scarlet portal system and complete their application, Security Ltd. Scarlet Security presented a not they are then told which identity and other guilty plea in front of the Magistrates Court documents to take to the Post Office. and also decided to have their case heard · When the applicant goes to the Post Office, in front of the Crown Court in Norwich. The the Post Office will check the online application company was not represented at the trial and details against the applicant’s documentation no defence to the indictment was presented and immediately return the documents to the to the jury. applicant. · The Post Office will take a digital photograph In fact, the individuals responsible for the of the applicant, an electronic version of running of the business attempted to liquidate the applicant’s signature and payment of it, but the SIA continued with the course of the application fee. The applicant will not action, as liquidation should not be protection be charged by the Post Office for using this from prosecution. On the 16th May, the service. company was fined £3,000 and ordered to · The applicant’s photograph and signature are pay full costs of £31,347.98. sent to us electronically by the Post Office. The SIA adds them to the application information This case acts as a reminder that some they’ve already received and continue their businesses continue to supply individuals checks. to work in the private security industry who are unlicensed. The company was also not SIA Director of Service Delivery Stephen undertaking the appropriate level of vetting McCormick said: of its staff as it had claimed it was doing. It “Our new licence application service will make also highlights the significance of receiving applying for an SIA licence easier and cheaper, intelligence from a variety of sources. The SIA reducing the overall cost for the applicant. assesses every piece of information received We are delighted to be working with the Post to help act on credible evidence. Office; the face-to-face element of the new service will reduce errors, which can cause New application process applications to be rejected, and will help to The SIA has recently made an agreement discourage fraud. We are continuing to make with the Post Office to make their application improvements to our licensing processes to process easier and cheaper. The Security deliver a faster and simpler service.”
News & Views
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The benefits of biometric security solutions Many forward thinking organizations are reassessing their security options and how they protect their people, assets and businesses. A simple access card system is fast being exchanged for more sophisticated biometric systems, which can verify identity and protect very high-value assets. So what are the benefits of installing a biometric access control system? Using a hand recognition reader or fingerprint scanner to govern your access control system has one inherent benefit. It eliminates the burden and expense of a card based system. It removes the risk of lost or stolen cards being used to gain access to a secure area and also mitigates the cost of providing physical cards to anyone who might require access to the location in question. Finger print scanners tend to be more effective at low volume openings where an area is being accessed by up to 100 people or at a slower rate. It is popular for protecting an area where highly sensitive or high value documents or assets are kept, making sure that only those who have the necessary clearance can achieve access. Hand recognition readers tend to be used more effectively in a scenario where accuracy
and speed is paramount. It is typically used by larger organizations at the entrance or security corridor where control of access is necessary without stemming the flow of a large group of people. We may still think of biometric security systems as something that frequents the underground tunnels of a Bond villain’s hideout or the high tech server rooms of the latest Mission Impossible film. Advances in technology have in fact made biometric technology readily available as well as reliable.
The fundamental advantage of using this sort of technology in comparison to more conventional access control systems is the additional layer of security it provides. It ensures that ‘you are you’ and that lost or stolen access cards or badges are not being fraudulently used to access high value areas. Additionally, biometric access control systems do not require any more information other than the full name of the person who requires access, removing any fears that personal data associated with access cards or badges may become vulnerable to those who might wish to abuse it.
News & Views
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The BSIA release guidance on lone worker protection services for transport sector employer The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) recently launched its newest section of membership at IFSEC on Wednesday 15 May. The launch event saw the election of Patrick Dealtry as the chairman of the section.
marinas and on buses and coaches could also face a significant threat. The private security industry has developed specific devices equipped with mobile phone technology which connects employees discreetly and directly to the police should they ever require Patrick Dealtry commented on the launch by an emergency response to a situation they pointing to the growth in the Lone Worker protection sector: “The lone worker market has grown rapidly in recent years thanks to the demand from customers recognising the value provided by companies offering services in this market. In addition, we recognise the growing effort among customers to satisfy the duty of care to their employees, often in very difficult circumstances. Today represents a milestone and reflects the success of BSIA companies in supplying these services. I am very pleased to have been elected Chairman and look forward to representing the interests of companies in the market with which I have been associated for over ten years.”
find themselves in. The guide has been developed in collaboration with Rachel Griffin, Director of the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, set up to educate, campaign, and support people to help reduce the risk of violence and aggression for everyone. She His first action as Chairman was to release commented that: guidance to employers in the transport sector about protecting their lone workers. “Personal safety is an important issue that Research carried out by the new section should be taken seriously at work by both of the BSIA suggests that demand for lone employers and employees. The effects of worker protection services are set to grow violence and aggression, which can include as employees continue to face the threat of verbal aggression, threats, intimidation and physical violence, armed robbery and verbal harassment – can be damaging to the victim threats. Those facing particular risk are drivers, both physically and psychologically. It can also including those who work in long distance lead to low morale, high absenteeism, and HGV road haulage as well as local delivery a decrease in productivity. Therefore it pays drivers. organisations to make sure that they have strategies in place to help ensure the safety of Those working on the railway network, at their employees.”
News & Views
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Ipswich branch donates free mobile patrol and alarm response services to Suffolk Young Peoples Health Project GSL Dardan has agreed to provide free mobile patrol and alarm response services to the Suffolk Young Peoples Health Project, commonly known as 4YP. The Ipswich team have also decided to get involved with the project by running some training sessions at the 4YP centre to pass on some of the skills they have learnt through their professional and home life. 4YP officially launched its first centre in 2007 and has since been recognised as one of the fastest growing charitable organisations in the region. The project aims to provide a ‘one stop shop’ for anyone who needs help dealing with problems including, but not exclusive to, drugs and alcohol, sexual abuse, sexual health issues and mental health problems.
commented by saying that: “Roy and I went to meet with Dawn Henry who explained they are an organisation that has identified that a great number of young people in the Suffolk area do not have anywhere they feel they could turn to should anything in their lives go wrong or should they require some form of support.“ “We left the meeting feeling inspired and wanted to contribute to such a worthwhile cause. With the help of all the GSL Dardan Team Leaders here in Ipswich, we have organised the provision of mobile patrols and alarm response services for the 4YP building located in the Ipswich town centre, totally free of charge.”
Roy Jeffrey, the GSL Dardan regional manager for Ipswich and Martin McCormack, Team Leader for Retail and Manned Guarding Services went to meet with Dawn Henry, Some of the patrons of the 4YP project the Chief Executive of 4YP, to discuss what participating in a cookery class. the company could do to help the project secure their premises. They both came away from the meeting feeling inspired and Martin
News & Views
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Staff Profile My name is Maddy Hudson and since April 2012 I have managed the region’s personnel administrative functions on a part time basis, which is inclusive of the screening and inducting of new recruits and ensuring we can evidence the meeting of our employee obligations.
will continue to enjoy throughout their time with the company.
My background is mainly in the hospitality industry with my last "proper" career role as General Manager of a Bar/ Restaurant/ Nightclub in Peterborough with Luminar Leisure. Since having kids I have opted for a less time demanding role and currently operate my own cleaning business along side working with GSL Dardan. Valuable skills I have gained through bar work are dealing with drunks (how to get them drunk first), how to make over 75 cocktails and how to safely dance on a bar in high heels!
Dislikes: Rude people, there is no need for it in life.
Likes: Cake, cake and gossip with the girls! I'm also easily bribed with sweet stuff (the Peterborough team know this well!).
Believes: Kindness and laughter go along way so I try to make room for both everyday. Lesser known fact: July is my month of birth. Peterborough based staff will do well to remember this
I love working with the troops in Peterborough (and the extended tribe in Norwich) who a great team, hugely supportive and with a wealth of knowledge and quirkiness between them!! Never is there a dull day in the office. My role gives me the opportunity to welcome the Regions new recruits and I’d like to think that this welcome helps set the standards of support that my fellow employees
Training Centre Course
Name
Site
BJT & Conflict Management
R Young
Petrofac
M Newman
AAWR Kings Lynn
A Potter
National Grid
E Turner
National Grid
B Fitch
Kerry Foods
M Appleton
Peterborough Office
D Denning
Norwich Office
First Aid
RFX Refresher Course
News & Views
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New Starters
New Systems Jobs CCTV and Access Control - SembMarine SLP Lowestoft
Name
Site
Ryan Bensley
Bally Shoes
Richard Young
Petrofac
Matthew Newman
AAWR Kings Lynn
CCTV and intruder alarm for Thompsons News in Great Yarmouth
Luke Chretien
AAWR Kings Lynn
CCTV additions for SRCL, Ipswich Hospital
Brian Penman
Kerry Foods
Repairs to IP CCTV system for Banham Hatchery
Supply of CCTV equipment for upgrade to Drewery Caravan Park, Scratby
Thank you... The barrier is now repaired. Thank you so much for your prompt action which made it possible to get this repaired today. Site security is now restored. Many Thanks , Mary Hill Management Team P.A. Perenco Gt Yarmouth.
The shortest of notes but just to say your team were superb last night, thank you! Robert Miller Cholmondeley Estates
As you are aware I have had a large project going on at MSC to refurbish and re- spray all the windows Phil and Melvin were fantastic through all the works which did include a few hiccups ! Please let them know how grateful I am for all their help and how much I appreciate that I have both of them here as Security Guards for MSC . Lisa Barker, Properties and Facilities Manager, MSC
I was in PB yesterday, more or less lost, but saw a guy in uniform outside PB City Council’s Bayard Place building, so thought I would ask. Turned out to be a GSDL officer who presumably worked at Bayard. He had no idea who I was as not in uniform. He was smart, polite and very helpful. Just wanted you to know I was impressed (and grateful). PS Nick Lidstone Cambridgeshire Constabulary Territorial Policing Command HQ
News & Views
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Health & Safety Bulletin Slips trips and falls (STF) stubbornly continue to make up 50% of accident reports which, as we discuss in regular team leader meetings, is about double the national average for accident reports. One explanation for this could be the nature of the work: • 107 sites entailing cover from 107+ security officers at any one time. Much of the work is security patrolling by day and night. • About 50 mobile patrols required to visit about 50 sites each every night; continuously in and out of vehicles to check and enter various and varying premises and sites. We have managed to reduce the number of STF occurring during the icy months (using ice spikes as footwear). Despite this, the trend over the last 4 years and rolling year to date is very positive – showing safer and safer performance.
Service Awards Years of Service 25 20 15 5
Name Tracy Crafer Keven Jeckells Glen Taylor Martin Hudson Luke Townsend Samuel Calton Philip Hemmings Gerald McNamee David Snell
News & Views
GSL Dardan is proud to supply 24 hour manned guarding and mobile patrols to Sembmarine SLP, in Lowestoft, Suffolk, in a working relationship which stretches back 15 years. Previously well-known as SLP Engineering, the company became Sembmarine SLP in September 2012 when it was acquired for £2.5m by Sembcorp Marine, a Singapore-based energy business.
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SLP is the Vanguard Replacement Helideck Load-Out and Installation. The Vanguard Helideck is part of a “Life Extension” Project for one of the UK’s aging Southern-North Sea gas production platforms, and was loaded-out in May in preparation for its installation.
The structure was designed by Sembmarine SLP to include replacement utilities systems comprising of diesel and water storage, and also to incorporate the latest helideck safety systems to meet strict regulations governing such installations. The replacement structure is comprised of a steel frame supporting an aluminium helideck with a total weight of 72 tonnes, which is lighter than the original structure which was removed from the platform as part of this replacement process. Further scheduled for installation are replacement access stairs, also to be constructed in aluminium. The helideck was successfully installed on-board the platform on the evening Sembmarine SLP, located off Hamilton Road, of Saturday 11th May, with further Hook-Up boasts an impressive 40 years of experience in the work to follow. Oil and Gas industry, and aspires to continuously develop its management systems and skills as In a testament to the professionalism and safea specialist service contractor. Sembmarine working regulations on site at Sembmarine SLP, SLP is able to provide fully integrated turnkey as assisted by the experienced and committed solutions to its many customers, with a primary GSL security team of James, Richard, Emerson focus on the Oil and Gas markets for Minimum and Kevin, as of June 2013, Sembmarine SLP Facility Platforms, Accommodation Modules, has completed in excess of 1300 days without Process Decks, Offshore Substations, Wind a lost time incident. The security team is fully Farms, Meteorological Weather Masts, and Tidal trained and compliant to Sembmarine SLP’s Energy Projects. thorough safety requirements and emergency procedures, and are able to administer qualified Sembmarine SLP's impressive facility in first aid, including via the use of defibrillators. Lowestoft extends to 55,000m2, has a nominal load bearing capacity of 10t/m2, has Sembmarine SLP prides itself on its safety the capacity to transfer up to 10,000 tonnes record, and the security team are truly proud via two load-out points, and has the capability to have helped to maintain it. The GSL officers to moor barges up to 120m in length and 35m are continuously updating their training and wide next to the load-out quay for onward knowledge of the site and its regulations in order transportation. SLP's ideal location (pictured) to maintain this honourable achievement. allows direct access to the North Sea, whilst the harbour benefits from a low tidal range, which For more information about Sembmarine significantly assists the load-out operation. SLP, telephone +44 (0) 1502 548000, e-mail info@slp-eng.com or go online at www. A significant on-going project at Sembmarine sembmarineslp.com.