Apprenticeship in security vital to counter-terror operations


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Authoritative messaging C


SSC has widened the range of authority bodies that circulate their information


direct to the Industry Sector Leaders (ISLs) within the project.


Andy Archibald, the Head of Cyber security at the National Crime Agency, has recently finalised arrangements for regular monthly bulletins from the NCA to be circulated through CSSC. The Senior Intelligence Officer for Threats/Alerts at NCA subsequently requested that a combined NCA and NFIB alert message on a ‘Construction Industry Mandate Fraud’ be circulated by CSSC.


Exercise Safer City Twenty ISLs and the CSSC project hub teams in London and Scotland took part in the GLA London Resilience Team table top ‘Exercise Safer City’, held in November.


During three pre-planned conference calls, a two-way flow of extremely useful advice and guidance was discussed and supplied by the ISLs, which had a profound effect on the course of the exercise.


CSSC Table Top exercise Over 60 ISLs took part in a major CSSC ‘Table Top’ exercise at Credit Suisse in Canary Wharf in April. Sir David Veness opened the event with special guests including Sir David Wootton and Richard Barnes.


CSSC Charity Celebration Dinner 2014 Invitations have been sent out for the charity dinner to be held on Tuesday, 14th October 2014, at the Grange City Hotel, Coopers Row. Individual seats will be £85 and full tables of ten places at £850. Any individuals or organisations who wish to book seats or a whole table at this very popular charity dinner, should contact CSSC Secretary Irona Wilson at admin@cityoflondoncpa.org.uk


A new CSSC website was launched in early March. This has been designed to incorporate the additional CSSC regions being developed around the UK.


The CSSC Scotland hub team has already formed, ready for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, and it is planned that an East Anglia region will be established later this year.


Easy facilities have been provided for companies and organisations to register for messaging. www.cssc.gb.com


© CI TY S ECURI TY MAGAZ INE – S PRING 2014


ounter terrorism training is of growing importance within the security industry,


but training providers are also actively involved in training the British Armed Forces, through a programme of apprenticeships and courses designed to educate service personnel in the fight against terrorism.


As part of the programme, all infantry apprentices are required to demonstrate mastery of the following core knowledge- based units: Working in the Private Security Industry, Working as a Private Security Officer, and Communication and Conflict Management, demonstrating the relevance that private security experience can have in the wider context of defence and national security roles.


The Army has long been in the vanguard of the United Kingdom’s counter terrorism operations and British military units are counted amongst the best in the world when it comes to counter terrorist operations.


Infantry training has evolved to encompass counter terrorism, along with a broad range of other security tasks. The Apprenticeship is a route through which infantry soldiers are able to achieve national recognition of the knowledge gained through training and the skills developed during operations.


The Apprenticeship in Security enhances infantry personnel’s ability to perform counter terrorist operations and provides commanders with soldiers who are flexible and versatile in dealing with the constantly changing situations. It also provides a solid foundation and understanding of the requirements of working in the commercial security industry at the end of military service.


Looking beyond an armed forces career, the Apprenticeship in Security can also benefit soldiers making the move to civilian life. In a recent survey carried out by the BSIA, 92.6% of respondents reported that ex-forces personnel make suitable candidates for careers within the security sector, with 88.2% of respondents already having ex-armed forces personnel working within their organisations. Several Apprenticeship in Security alumni have, in fact, used the qualification to complement their military experience and make the move into a career in the private security sector.


The Apprenticeship is the first rung up the lifelong learning ladder and many soldiers, having been promoted as non-commissioned officers, warrant officers or officers seek out and achieve higher level qualifications, as part of their personal development, in managing and planning security.


Anthony Rabbitt Chairman of the Training Providers Section, BSIA


www.bsia.co.uk/training-providers


Private specialists secure public sector success


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he role of private security firms in supporting the public sector is under


continual scrutiny. Security provider Securitas is taking part in a collaboration with the London Fire Brigade as their emergency back-up, with both parties keen to be a positive role model for public/private partnerships.


Securitas provides crew, supervisors and drivers for 27 Mercedes fire appliances, which can be called upon with one week’s notice. This resource is backed up by more than thirty offices providing command support, which includes ex-senior fire service personnel.


This unit of approximately 500 staff undergoes a rigorous selection process including health and fitness testing, with continuous training in readiness to support London Fire Brigade.


Ron Dobson, Commissioner of London Fire Brigade, the world’s third-largest fire and rescue service, explains the importance of having emergency back-up. “As commissioner, I am responsible for providing a fire and rescue function to cover the whole of London, which is the seat of Government and has a number of iconic buildings. I need to ensure a service will be met under all circumstances.”


The crew has responded to ninety incidents during ten deployments since the end of September 2013, as the dispute between Unions and the Fire Service continues.


The value of this public/private partnership was highlighted by a Londoner caught in a fire in a block of flats in Bromley by Bow during November strike action. With a family of five trapped inside, two Securitas crews in breathing apparatus entered the smoke-filled building to rescue the inhabitants.


Ron Dobson concludes, “ I believe we have a stronger, more robust contingency model than any other fire service in the country and other fire services look upon us with envy because of the arrangements we have in place.”


www.securitas.uk.com > 21


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