security R
unning from Lambeth Bridge to Blackfriars Bridge and south to St. George’s Circus,
South Bank is a vital part of central London. Boasting two universities, the country’s largest railway station and one of its greatest teaching hospitals, it is additionally home to some of the world’s most successful businesses, the nation’s leading arts and media organisations and a growing residential population. South Bank is also gaining renown in the security world for the South Bank Business Watch. Bringing together business, police, local authority and residents, this security and resilience focus group is proving a great success in identifying and resolving issues in the area. Members include iconic locations such as the EDF Energy London Eye, the National Theatre and the Royal Festival Hall, Imperial War Museum, Oxo Tower, Union Jack Club, County Hall and international businesses such as Shell UK, Park Plaza Hotels, ITV, IBM and Ernst & Young, plus many more.
Following the erection of the London Eye for the Millennium, South Bank developed rapidly, bringing an increase of businesses into the area and a vast upturn in tourist footfall. David Clark, Security Coordinator, South Bank Employers Group (SBEG) says, “Over time, a number of issues arose linked to the popularity of the area, with main issues affecting businesses and the public being illegal street traders and emerging issues with street drinking, begging and rough sleepers. The South Bank Business Watch decided the area needed a greater level of consistency in dealing with these issues.” In October 2008, South Bank Patrol (SBP) commenced, with the aims of providing a highly visible street presence to deter crime, illegal street trading and anti social behaviour and engage with
14
partnership on the South Bank
private security teams, police and other agencies throughout the area. Essentially, the South Bank Patrol provides a link between the security and safety measures already established in the area.
With a senior security representative from each organisation in the area, the South Bank Business Watch meets every 2 months. The group receives a South Bank Patrol service report, plus a briefing from the Metropolitan Police. There follows an opportunity to discuss any issues and the work of the patrol. Significantly, the group also shares ideas and best practice, including developing a CCTV code of practice. “This group provides an excellent network for those in security in South Bank – we share information, intelligence and best practice – and provide an informed consultative group for the police and local authority on questions relating to the area” says Eric Dench, chair of the SBBW. It is a two-way street with members having regular updates from the police on areas of concern, crime trends and CT briefings and members providing intelligence, training accommodation and other services to the police.
All parts of the community benefit from the South Bank Patrol, including all the tourist spots, entertainment venues, businesses and hotels. Glen Smyth, QPM, Head of Security for the Union Jack Club, is particularly supportive, “At the beginning of the last century, the troops sent out to the Empire embarked via Waterloo. The rank and file would arrive and have to slum it locally before getting their train. The local vagrants and street drinkers made this an unpleasant experience and it was decided that the troops deserved better. So the club was set up. But some of the same
problems still exist, normally a phone call to SBP gets them moved on pretty quickly.”
In turn, the SBP works closely with the Metropolitan Police, local outreach teams and local authority colleagues “to look for long term solutions for rough sleepers”, adds Sergeant Paul Neal, from the Metropolitan Police who works in the South Bank.
The benefits for the residents and businesses alike in the area are clear: a safer environment with less crime and anti-social behaviour and a patrol they know on an individual basis. Sergeant Neal recounts, “Recently a child separated from its parents was reunited within 15 minutes. The police were able to contact the SBP, who raised the alert with all of the security officers in the area. Thelma, one of the SBP, quickly spotted the little girl and brought her to the police.” In another instance, by sharing CCTV images with the police and all those involved in the SBBW and SBP, the person responsible for the theft of a bag from a café was arrested within 24 hours.
“For the Metropolitan Police it brings a great means of communicating with the community and dealing with low-level anti-social behaviour, allowing us to focus on more serious crime”, says Sergeant Neal. The South Bank Business Watch and South Bank Patrol have developed trust and close working relationships between the police and those working in security in the area. Sergeant Neal outlined one popular initiative, “The South Bank Christmas market now boasts its own police office in one of the huts – a great way for people to engage with the police.”
For those working in security, the South Bank Patrol is a great asset. All business security
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36