My thanks to Mick for bringing this to my attention.
As some of you will be aware, the Police were recently granted new sweeping powers of arrest.

What some of you may not be aware of is, these changes have impacted the private security industry and security training industries.
Previously, Security Officers (and members of the public) have been able to make a citizens arrest for an arrestable offence as defined by PACE.
The definition of an arrestable offence has been changed and is now included within the Serious Organised Crime Act 2005 (SOCA).

We urge all security personnel to review the new definitions and criteria for ascertaining an arrestable offence and likewise any trainers, training providers and training centres to ensure the training they are providing incorporates these changes.

If anyone is using SITO, SITO BJT or other training materials, please point them to this news article and ask them to update their training modules accordingly as soon as they can to ensure any individuals who are currently undertaking training as part of their pre-security license application are not being given incorrect information.

Full details of the changes can be found under the Read More link

By kind courtesy of Mr Chris Brogan of SECURITY INTERNATIONAL LTD
Thanks Chris.

Last Wednesday an investigator was prosecuted by the Information Commissioner's office and fined £6250 for a number of offences.
One of those offences was for not notifying the Information Commissioner that
he was processing personal data when he was required to do so. That is a
strict liability offence...a criminal offence.

Now consider this.
Assuming that investigator wants to stay in business, he will be applying for
a licence next year. When the SIA do their checks they will find his criminal
record. Are they likely to not issue him with one in view of these offences?

I would suggest that investigation is all about processing personal data.
The Data Protection act is all about processing personal data.
Doesn't it follow therefore that this type of criminal activity should debar
him from holding a licence?

Every so often I do a small survey where I check how many investigators have
notified the Information Commissioner's office that they are processing
personal data.

As a result of this prosecution I did it again. I took 40 names from the  established
investigation agencies. I could only find 28 of them having notified the commissioner.

There is a message there somewhere.

Thanks again Chris for your permission to share your views with us. Regards,
Mike.

From the SIA website:
(SIA Copyright protected)

Door supervisor Found Guilty
A Cardiff man is the first person to be found guilty of committing an
offence under Section 19 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 –
intentionally obstructing any person in the exercise of Security
Industry Authority (SIA) business.
On Monday 10 October 2005 at Cardiff Magistrates, doorman Dustin Pitman
was found guilty of two offences: obstructing an SIA Official and
working without holding an SIA licence. Pitman was fined £200 and given
a conditional discharge.
On 13 March 2005, officers from South Wales Police were conducting
checks on door staff at Bar Risa in the city centre. When asked, Pitman
could not produce a door supervisor licence, he gave false information
to the police and attempted to leave the venue.
Sue Sheath, SIA Head of Investigation for Wales said:
"Door Supervisors play an important role in ensuring a safe night out
in Cardiff and it is vital they are professionally trained and
qualified. Those Door Supervisors who persist in working without a
licence put themselves at risk of prosecution, and this conviction
demonstrates that unlicensed activity will not be tolerated. We work
closely with South Wales Police to ensure that there is compliance with
the legislation and commend their efforts in bringing this case to
trial."

SIA latest

Report calls for more security team involvement in tackling terrorism.

August 15, 2005:A report published today welcomes the role
played by private security teams event of terrorist attacks, and calls
for more involvement by private businesses in national security issues.


Giving examples of where security officers are already making a
contribution it highlights duties such as helping with evacuations and
manning cordoned-off areas.


The report, Joining Forces: From National Security to Networked
Security, has been released by the influential left-of-centre think
tank Demos.



Emergency involvement

The report’s author Rachel Briggs calls for business representatives to
join the Government’s emergency committee, Cobra, as a way of getting
the private sector more involved in counter-terrorism.

From Skynews.com

'POLICE OFFICER SHOT'

A policeman has been rushed to hospital in a serious condition after reportedly being shot.

He was airlifted to the Royal Preston Hospital after being shot by a man in Rawtenstall, Lancashire.


It is believed the man is still armed and has barricaded himself into a property in the town.

The officer was attempting to arrest a suspect at an address in Hardman Avenue.

Police refused to confirm reports the officer was shot but said had been taken to hospital by air ambulance.

Lancashire Police spokeswoman said: "A police officer has been seriously injured while attempting to make an arrest at an address in Rawtenstall.

"Officers were at an address in Hardman Avenue this afternoon when one officer had been seriously injured by an occupant at the address.

"The injured officer has now been taken to the Royal Preston Hospital by the air ambulance.

"The road is currently closed and other officers, including armed response teams, are at the scene."