'BODY SLAMMING' "BOUNCER" HANDS HIMSELF IN...BUT IS NOT ARRESTED

Following on from the earlier post, nightclub door supervisor (let's drop the stigma again!) Lewis Barrow – a mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter – handed himself into police after the YouTube video was such a web hit.

So far no criminal charge has been placed on Barrow, but investigations continue by the local constabulary. 

Barrow has been removed from Idols, the venue where the incident happens. According to reports, his SIA license has been revoked to allow for additional investigations to continue.

According to reports, this is out of character for Barrow. But, the evidence speaks for itself and continues to highlight that the need for stricter controls over the Door Supervisors selected for venues is required. 

KLFM96.7 NEWS FEATURES AGS WINTER SECURITY TIPS...

We are delighted that our tips, featured below, have stirred up some interest, especially with local Sony Award Winning, King's Lynn radio station, KLFM96.7.

I did an brief interview with them this morning and we have been featured on this afternoon's news bulletins.

Take a listen! 

DARKNESS COMES EARLIER FROM SUNDAY 27TH OCTOBER - BE SECURITY AWARE...

With Halloween and Bonfire Night nearly upon us it also means an extra hour in bed, when the clocks change from Sunday, 27th October 2013.

Now is the time not to be complacent about security. According to research conducted into the rise in crime and claims on insurance at this time, Norfolk suffered a 19% increase in crime.   

Are you security aware...?

Whilst most of us look forward to the extra hour in bed, an opportunist criminal is plotting an extra hour of unplanned thefts - could you be the next target? 

AGS have put together some points to consider as we head into the months of shorter days and early dark nights...

• Make sure it appears that someone is in - whether at home or at the office. Especially if you leave earlier than normal

• Ensure you lock EVERY door AND window. Use secure locks. A small window is a large opportunity for a thief

• If you have a driveway; install a gate and secure it. Even when you are in, when pratical

• Look at your building as if you were planning to break in....how easy is it? Make notes and share these with people in the building and formulate a plan to improve your security

• Create a "Close Down Procedure" for your business; share a procedure checklist with all key holders who will potentially lock down your business. Include all windows, doors, alarm systems, side gates, main gate and so on. Why not think about whether to randomise a light to leave on each night to confuse observant criminals? Get consultation from a professional company 

• Review your Key Holder procedures. Is the primary key holder closest and the most appropriate? Could you benefit from external company support to protect employees?

• Ensure your alarm system is linked to the response centre and is functioning correctly. What is your up-to-date key holder list? Are you police linked? Do your key holders know the procedure? Have you reviewed your alarm response system with your security company? Consider looking at a professional alarm response service.

• CCTV; do you have CCTV? When was it last reviewed? Are you recording 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Is it angled to suit any recent changes to business activity? Have you considered getting a professional external review to see if this is the best system for your premises?

• Don't leave valuables on show; This may seem like common sense, but is the biggest cause of opportunist thefts. It isn't necessarily what can be seen through a window...but think about the packaging it comes in. New computer boxes left outside in rubbish areas tells a thief there is a reason to enter!

There are a raft of proactive security measures you can take to prevent criminal activity towards your business. 

AGS provide the following services for local businesses, to assist you in preventing loss of stock and business...

• Security Guards - Larger businesses benefit from the luxury of night, or 24 hour security. AGS provide SIA trained and licensed security officers to businesses in the area. Moving to a security provider from in-house could save a business up to 22% on the cost of security. Ask for a free consultation to find out how.

• Emergency Guard Services - Although your business may not require security 24 hours a day, certain circumstances may require that additional security measures be taken in the short term. For instance; break down in alarm or CCTV systems, broken entry points (such as shutter doors) that cannot be immediately fixed or secured.

• Mobile Patrols - AGS offer a proactive, mobile security patrol across the area. Visiting premises at irregular intervals through the night, during dark hours. Find out more here

• Key Holder and Emergency Alarm Response Services - Why not protect your personnel and let AGS be your first responder key holder. Our trained and licensed SIA guards will attend, secure, liaise with police whilst your key holders remain safe and secure. Find out more here

• Lock and Unlock Services - Criminals will watch and get to know your company procedures very quickly. What time you open...what time you lock down. Why put a key holder at risk when our SIA guards could attend, secure or unsecure your premises on your behalf. The staff are then free to enter or leave the premises in the knowledge that they are safe. Find our more here

• Security Systems; Alarms, Access Points, CCTV - Time for a review? AGS can assist you. Find out more here

AGS is a professional, affordable solution to your security requirements. Why not visit the site and ask for a FREE consultation. It doesn't cost anything...but bad security systems could. 

REASONS TO BE WARY OF YOUR DOOR SUPERVISOR SUPPLIER…

A Newcastle clubber is being traced by police following a YouTube video posted online identified a “serious incident” involving the party goer and a bar door supervisor. 

The Metro, using the word “bouncer” proves what a disgrace this footage is showing an SIA licensed door supervisor viscously “body slamming” the reveller on the pavement outside the venue – worryingly watched by another colleague and cheered on by fellow clubbers.

As the industry still strives to combat the ongoing stigma surrounding door supervisors – this is a clear demonstration that proves it is essential to ensure you have the right company and the right team for your venue. Although, admittedly, we do not know the whole story of what happened in this incident – there is NO excusing the unnecessary level of violence used.

A word of advice…choose your team carefully, ensure you have briefed them on behaviour and professional standing, vet and CRB check every employee and don’t leave yourself open to professional destruction – something I am sure this employee's company is dealing with now. Do you really want over half a million YouTube hits because your door team did this? I know I wouldn’t! 

You can see the footage here. PLEASE BE AWARE – graphic footage.

View the Metro Story and Video - Click Here

SIA LAUNCHES BUSINESS LICENSES...

It is now confirmed that the SIA (Security Industry Authority) will be launching security company 'Business Licenses', with applications being accepted from 7th April 2014 - and requiring ALL security companies to have a license in possession, by law, by 6th April 2015.

What does that mean for the end client...?

It is currently NOT a requirement for security companies to be SIA: Approved Contractor status - the industry respected standard for suppliers. However, the business license in mandatory. 

This is what the SIA say about the license: 


"To qualify for an SIA business licence, a security business must demonstrate that it is 'fit and proper' to supply security industry services. When processing a business licence application, the SIA will consider: identity; criminality; financial probity; integrity; business competency (including British Standards).

A business will need to obtain approval for each sector in which it supplies a security industry service. The relevant sectors are:

• Manned guarding - Cash and Valuables in Transit, Close Protection, Door Supervision, Public Space Surveillance (CCTV), and Security Guarding.

• Key holding.

• Immobilisation of vehicles (including the restriction and removal of vehicles) in Northern Ireland only.

A business licence will last for five years. To maintain a business licence businesses will be required to comply with the conditions of the licence, provide a yearly return evidencing its continued compliance, and pay an annual subscription fee."

What we say...!

AGS will be applying for the new business license as of April 2014. It is a requirement, but also for us, having the stamp that proves we are the standard expected for our industry is something we will be proud to hold and provide to our clients. SIA Approved Contractor remains - however we are awaiting further information as to whether the new business licenses will supersede this requirement or work side-by-side with it. It is difficult to know for now.

For more information on the SIA launch, please click HERE