The Police Alphabet, also referred to as the NATO Alphabet or Phonetic Alphabet, is an indispensable tool deeply embedded in communication practices within law enforcement and various professional sectors.  Its significance extends beyond mere spelling; it serves as a linguistic bridge, ensuring clarity and precision, especially in situations where conventional language might falter.  To fully grasp its importance, one must delve into the origins, explore its diverse applications, and appreciate how this phonetic system has evolved over time.  As an integral aspect of effective ..read more

With the upcoming deadline of 11:59pm on Monday 18 March 2024, the timing of Martyn’s Law has an ever growing importance, in its aim to ensure public safety. Most businesses and professionals in the UK’s security industry will by now have heard of the proposed counter terrorism legislation known as Martyn’s Law. If you haven’t, it’s time to familiarise yourself with it. The draft legislation is officially known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill and follows more than five years of campaigning by Figen Murray OBE, the mother of Martyn Hett, who died in the Manchester Arena terror at ..read more

Provider of security services, Ward Security, has announced the appointment of Steve Kennedy as Managing Director for London.   “I’m delighted to now be part of this fantastic company and I’m looking forward to working with the dedicated team of officers, account managers and support staff that have made Ward what it is today,” said Kennedy.   “To take on the role of London MD and to have the opportunity to influence and grow this already successful business is a challenge that I look forward to”.  Strong relationships for Ward Security   Kennedy joins Ward with a ..read more

A new British Retail Consortium (BRC) survey has revealed that violence and abuse towards UK shop workers rose to an average of 1,300 incidents per day last year, a 50 per cent increase from 2022.   In a BBC report, retail staff detailed verbal abuse, shoplifting, racial abuse, sexual harassment and even physical assault.  BRC findings   The BRC’s figures highlight the importance of a security presence in retail spaces.  Security officers represent a layer of protection that can deter people from committing crimes and abuse.   This is especially importan ..read more

Halo Solutions has secured deals with Premier League clubs Chelsea FC and Nottingham Forest FC, along with Championship club Birmingham City FC to integrate its incident and task management software, Halo (v5).    Chelsea FC will use Halo (v5) for the 24/7 security contract at Stamford Bridge as well as Chelsea’s Cobham Training Ground.   The clubs will use Halo’s safety and security technology to help protect and keep fans safe managing all incidents observed at matches or day-to-day on their premises.  It also helps create and monitor digitised security, match day safety and p ..read more

Octavian Security UK, a security protection firm, has unveiled the latest stage of its UK expansion plan after opening an office in the centre of Birmingham.  The new office, on Frederick Street, will act as a hub for Octavian Security UK to provide its services throughout the West Midlands.  “With HS2 coming to Birmingham I see a massive shift in many large-scale businesses relocating to Birmingham and the West Midlands in general,” said Kiran Ghuman, Managing Director, Octavian Security UK.   “The Levelling Up initiative is something that I see as accelerating greatly with HS2 ..read more

The “Unseen Threats: 2024 Construction Crime Index” report from BauWatch has revealed that 70% of construction workers witness theft on site every year, causing delays to at least one-third of projects.   The situation has worsened in the past year, say workers, as BauWatch and the National Federation of Builders urge firms to put deterrents in place as soon as possible.  Not only this, but the report states that one in three believe crime, including theft, physical violence, harassment and vandalism, is becoming more sophisticated.   It comes as reports of criminals using ..read more

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has released new research on public trust and confidence in the private security industry, carried out by BMG Research, which says six out of ten adults in the UK have trust in private security professionals. This is the first research of its kind commissioned by the UK’s private security industry regulator.   It was carried out in two waves across two years from 2022 to 2023 to see whether public perceptions changed.  Majority trust private security professionals  A survey of a nationally representative sample of 2,600 UK adults in 202 ..read more

Philip Ingram MBE provides an understanding of Hostile Vehicle Mitigation for non-specialists. In recent years, there has been an alarming increase in the number of terror attacks carried out using vehicles. These attacks have become a popular tactic among extremist groups due to their simplicity and effectiveness. The use of vehicles as weapons allows attackers to cause mass casualties and instil fear in the public. Hostile Vehicle Mitigation: Background One of the most notable terror attacks involving vehicles occurred in Nice, France in 2016, where a truck was driven into a crowd celebratin ..read more

SJUK caught up with Paul Williams who is the Director of Safety, Security & Risk for AEG Europe at The O2 London, often described as the world’s most popular music and entertainment venue. As we approached the end of 2023, we were reminded yet again that peace is never absolute. For those who work in security and risk management, at times the world can seem like a hostile environment; our communities can feel divided, social values fractured and societal tensions at a breaking point. On a personal note, I hope my colleagues in the industry can balance the bad with the good. The world is st ..read more