Stephen Halpin

The surveillance system provides a safe and secure shopping and working environment SSAIB, the UK and Ireland’s security, fire, and telecare certification body, has confirmed that, following an in-depth audit, major High St retailer Marks and Spencer has achieved the Surveillance Camera Commissioner’s Certificate of Compliance. In a move personally praised by the Surveillance Camera Commissioner, Tony Porter, M&S voluntarily sought the certification and is the first retailer in the UK to demonstrate compliance with the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice. Customer And Staff Protection Protecting its customers and staff, by providing a safe and secure shopping and working environment, is crucially important to the company, which realized that adopting the Code would provide transparency and consistency throughout its operations. Added-value benefits have also included cost reductions, for example through value management and rationalization of CCTV systems against their need and purpose. A reduction in the installation program has additionally saved costs and minimized retail disruption. The certification, awarded by the Surveillance Camera Commissioner, follows an audit conducted by SSAIB’s Lead Assessor Stephen Grieve, which covered all of Marks & Spencer’s operations, from its head office through to distribution centers and retail stores. In practice, it means that the company has been found compliant with the 12 guiding principles of the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice (in accordance with the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012). M&S’ Head of Corporate Security, Clint Reid, worked in partnership with Four Security Consultants Ltd to meet the certification standards and comments, “We are optimistic about the potential improvements in protecting our people and working environment that gaining the SCC CCTV certification will bring.” “This move has significantly raised the profile of CCTV within M&S and is an important source of operational information” Operational And Commercial Benefits Brendan McGarrity, Head of Four Security Consultants, adds: “We praise the vision and tenacity of Clint and his team in realizing the importance of gaining this certification and the hard work they put in, helping us achieve it with them. This move has significantly raised the profile of CCTV within M&S and is an important source of operational information. The increased awareness of M&S’ surveillance capability, together with the quality of its CCTV equipment, has resulted in managers being more willing to use the data to help them realize operational and commercial benefits.” Meanwhile, Surveillance Camera Commissioner Tony Porter notes that: “For a retailer of Marks and Spencer’s size to achieve full certification against the code is no mean feat at all. They are not required to comply with the code and have done this voluntarily, which makes it all the more impressive. Working with Four Group and SSAIB they have been able to demonstrate they comply with the code across their vast estate. If an organization of this size can achieve certification there’s no reason why anyone else can’t and shouldn’t.” Adaptable And Flexible Approach Stephen Halpin from Four Security Consultants, who worked with SSAIB’s Stephen Grieve throughout the certification process, declares that a key element in achieving compliance was SSAIB’s flexibility. “SSAIB provided an adaptable and flexible approach, while remaining firmly within the scope and spirit of the SCC’s certification standards,” he explains. “This allowed M&S to demonstrate its compliance with the code in both practical application and process compliance. SSAIB remained impartial, providing advice and guidance whenever needed, and took into consideration the operational challenges of a large retail operation while working with us to deliver the successful accreditation. Included among the legacy commercial and operational benefits of certification is a clear understanding of the future requirements to maintain certification over the next five years, thanks in no small part to the adaptable and supportive approach of SSAIB.”

Presentation topics include design and installation best practices and how access control can protect owners from risk and liability A forthcoming seminar is set to provide companies across the Midlands with valuable expert information on the installation and usage of access control systems to protect business assets and reduce liability risks. Organized by the British Security Industry Association – the trade body representing the UK’s private security industry – this free-to-attend event combines advice on the latest in controlling risks and liabilities with access control, along with useful technical information focused on best practice in system design and installation. Taking place in the heart of Birmingham at Villa Park on Tuesday 12th April, the half-day event includes presentations on a range of topics, including advice for businesses on making the right purchasing decisions; an insight into best practice in design and installation and how Access Control can be successful in protecting owners from risk and liability. Speakers and presentation topics are as follows: 1. Why Have Access Control? Speaker: Stephen Halpin, Security Consultant, FOUR Security Consultants Ltd The presentation will consider the operational benefits and challenges from an end user's perspective. Operational benefits include enhanced security and capability to appreciate building occupancy levels and efficiencies. 2. Liabilities And Insurance – Highlighting The Risks To Owners Speaker: James Fee, Head of Corporate Key Accounts, Vacant Property Specialists A view from the world of vacant property and construction highlighting the risks and liability to property owners when unauthorized people enter empty properties and development sites. 3. BSIA - Guidance And New Standards Speaker: Mike Sussman, Technical Director, TDSi Insight into the recommendations that can be found in the new BSIA Form 132, a source of advice to specifiers which now includes information about the new BS EN 60839-11 series standards. 4. A Complete Solution Speaker: Steve Bailes, Business Development Manager, Gallagher Security The presentation will touch on “Enforcing Business Policies” by using a Security alarm management system involving Health and Safety and End User solutions. 5. A Health And Safety Perspective Speaker: Ged Baron, Peninsula UK How health and safety problems can be overcome with access control and other health and safety considerations including policy arrangements and several case studies. Confirmed exhibitors include - Kaba Ltd, Remsdaq, Prysm Software, Axxess, Touchstar Access, Fermax and SimonsVoss Technologies.