BSIA: Stars of the security industry receive national awards

Going beyond the call of duty, providing outstanding customer service and offering exceptional security through cutting-edge technology are just some of the traits displayed by the winners of the British Security Industry Association’s Annual Security Officer Awards 2008. The stars of the UK's security industry have been recognised in a glittering ceremony.

“Every year the BSIA's Annual Security Officer Awards demonstrate the outstanding commitment and professionalism of the security guarding industry in the UK," says BSIA Chief Executive, David Dickinson. “The achievements of the officers and teams we are recognising today demonstrate the diverse and challenging environments of the modern security officer and the very real difference their continued efforts make to the day-to-day lives of ordinary people.”

Awards were presented to the in the following categories: Service to the Customer, Outstanding Act, Best Newcomer, Best Use of Technology and Best Team. The award ceremony took place at the London Hilton, Park Lane and was attended by many leading figures from within the security industry.

The BSIA would like to thank Camberford Law plc - specialist insurance brokers to the security industry - for sponsoring the awards for the tenth successive year.


BSIA Annual Security Officer Award winners 2008

Service to the Customer

Ray Batley
Ray has worked at the Trinity and Burton Arcades in Leeds for seven years, employed by security company Wilson James Ltd. During this time Ray has shown continued enthusiasm and passion for his job, leading his team by example. Ray has made significant strides in combating shoplifting in the arcades’ shops, with £40,000 of goods being recovered from shoplifters over a two year period. Now Ray is security supervisor on the site liaising with construction experts involved in the total transformation of the former arcades together with Leeds Shopping Plaza into Trinity Leeds.

Khuram Nazir
Khuram works for CIS Security Ltd and was nominated for his work at Coca-Cola Enterprises Ltd in Sidcup, Kent. Khuram has been recognised for revolutionising the use of CCTV systems on site and working with the local police to investigate crimes committed in the area. In July 2006, Khuram presented CCTV evidence which ensured the arrest and charging of nine men. Khuram has also implemented a number of new systems. These include an enhanced two tier patrol system which is risk assessment led; a whole new load checking system on high risk loads; and an in-depth monthly site security reporting tool.

Mohammed Saadi
Mohamed works for Lynx Security Services Ltd and has 17 years experience working at Broadwalk House, City of London. He was nominated for his award for his long-term dedication to the site and the professional service he gives to the tenants that work there. Saadi, as he is known on site, is a proactive security supervisor and has assisted in the setting up of security systems and developed templates for various inspections. Recently, Saadi made recommendations in relation to the upgrade to the fire control system at Broadwalk House, which not only identified a more effective system but also reduced the overall cost to the client.

Outstanding Act

Michael Benham
Michael works for security company VSG and was nominated for his award after his life-saving actions whilst working for Cineworld Cinema at the Aspects Leisure Park, Bedford. Michael demonstrated quick thinking and aptitude, going beyond the call of duty to protect cinema staff and the public when a man set fire to the cinema. Michael and the duty manager were not only able to tackle the former employee, rolling him on the ground to prevent further harm, but also put the fire out in the foyer. Michael acted swiftly and professionally and almost certainly prevented the former employee from certain death and the cinema from further damage.

Mark Taylor
Mark works for Securitas Security Services Ltd and is based at the Alexander Park (Moss Side) Jobcentre in Manchester. Mark was nominated for his brave actions when he was faced with a man threatening to set the Jobcentre alight. Mark remained calm and level-headed when a customer walked into the building with a full petrol can and a lighter and started to pour the petrol around and then lit up a cigarette. Having evacuated more than 100 staff and customers from the building and called the Police, Mark then calmed the customer down and eventually persuaded him to surrender the petrol can and lighter. The man was duly arrested.

David Young
David works for Chubb Security Personnel Ltd at the Port of Dundee and was nominated for his calm and professional manner when he successfully prevented an individual from committing suicide. David, who was alerted to a man acting strangely on a nearby railway bridge, duly found a man in a distressed state who said that he wanted to end his life by jumping in front of the next train. With time against him, David used his experience of handling diverse situations to talk calmly to the gentleman, advising a member of the public to alert the police. After earning the gentleman’s trust, David ensured he remained calm until the police arrived.

Best Newcomer

Kim Blunt
Kim works for security company VSG on the Carlsberg, Chandlers Ford depot and was nominated for her award having been labelled a ‘star’ and ‘asset to any employer and client.’ Kim joined the Carlsberg depot during its start up stage and took it upon herself to contact other Carlsberg sites to understand how they operated and the role of the security function to create a security environment which is deemed one of the most secure Carlsberg depots. As well as monitoring access and egress, patrolling, CCTV and administrative duties, Kim has implemented a process which minimises loss and damage to stock.

Thomas Higgins
Thomas works for Reliance Security Services Ltd and is based at Patrol Net in Laganside, Belfast. Thomas is new to the security industry and was nominated for his award for his rapid progress since joining. Thomas has a pro-active approach to improving his knowledge of the industry, as well as initiating ideas for continuous improvement both on site and for Reliance Belfast. Thomas’ knowledge of alarms is commendable, as most of this knowledge he has taught himself through study, site visits and seeking information from engineers. All this confirms his commitment to professionalism and customer service.

Phillip Ike
Phillip, who works for Lynx Security Services Limited and is based at ABN AMRO Bank, City of London, was nominated for excelling so much within 12 months of joining the security industry that he has been branded a ‘star of the future’. His thirst for knowledge has confirmed that he is committed to the industry, having undertaken copious amounts of training and sought and listened to advice from his peers to become a respected and valued member of a highly professional site security team. Phillip is also willing to accept a great deal of responsibility, evident in him taking on supervisory positions on occasion within the security team at the bank.

Best Use of Technology

Gunwharf Quays Team
The Gunwharf Quays team of CCTV controllers is employed by OCS Security and is based within the control room at Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth. The team was nominated for its award for its high degree of training and knowledge of state of the art systems ensuring a controlled and safe centre to its 25,000 visitors a day. Over the last 12 months the team has had to deal with 225 fire activations which have resulted in no evacuations. Its relationship with the local police to reduce crime on the site also ensured that 61 arrests were made. The latest customer exit poll research has returned 97% satisfaction.

Qadim Hussain
Qadim Hussain, who works for security company VSG, was nominated for his award for his work at Carlsberg Leeds Brewery, West Yorkshire where he has continually pushed himself to improve security systems on the site. Recently, Qadim took it upon himself to create and develop a computerised floor plan of the whole brewery site, which identified all machinery and equipment, fire detection equipment and hazards. This plan benefits a range of visitors to the site as well as the staff themselves. Qadim continues to push himself to develop new skills which are useful to both himself and the outstanding service he provides at the Carlsberg site.

Northampton CCTV Team
The Northampton Borough Council CCTV team works for Reliance Security Services Ltd and was nominated for its award having been described as a ‘blessing’, providing essential and top quality monitoring services to the residents of the town. During 2006/07 the team assisted in 4174 arrests and these included matters such as robberies, violent brawls, drug related matters and a suicide attempt. On all occasions, the team has acted with professionalism and proficiency to ensure that the quality of monitoring and intelligence recorded in relation to the incidents could successfully be used to aid prosecution.

Best Team

JCI Security Team
The Nottingham based team works for Wilson James Ltd and delivers its service via facilities management provider Johnson Controls. The team was presented with its award for its commitment to providing a proactive and customer-focused service at all times, raising its profile to meet additional pressures and performing tasks outside its normal remit.
Not only has the team responded to 870 incidents over the last 12 months, but two of its officers have also been recognised in the BSIA regional round of the awards in the Best Newcomer and Outstanding Act categories.

High Chelmer Shopping Centre Team
The High Chelmer Shopping Centre team works for security company VSG and is based in Chelmsford in Essex. The team, which has won this award for the second year running, was nominated for consistently meeting and exceeding the client’s expectations by engaging with key stakeholders to ensure the safety of the shopping centre at all times. Described as ‘incredible’, the High Chelmer team’s handling of a very traumatic incident last year, in which a man committed suicide, ensured that as little distress as possible was caused to those involved.

Operation Outlook Team
The Operation Outlook team works for Reliance Security Services Ltd and was put together under ‘Gloucestershire Water Emergency 2007’ in immediate response to the flooding which occurred in July 2007. The Reliance security team, was nominated for its award for its role which ensured that things ran smoothly at this difficult time. The team provided essential services which allowed over 140 police officers to be deployed to other vital roles, demonstrating what a beneficial resource the private security industry can provide to public sector organisations. The Reliance team now features as part of the Constabulary’s contingency planning for future events or emergencies.

Editor’s Notes
The British Security Industry Association is the trade association covering all aspects of the professional security industry in the UK. Its 570 members provide over 70% of UK security products and services and adhere to strict quality standards. For more information see www.bsia.co.uk, email info@bsia.co.uk or telephone 0845 389 3889.

Press contacts: Naomi Ocansey 0845 389 0741 n.ocansey@bsia.co.uk
Kiri Gray 0845 389 0755 k.gray@bsia.co.uk