SSAIB News

SSAIB-certified firm Tindall Security have become the first alarm installation company to be accredited by Secured by Design (SBD), the official Police security initiative.

Following increasing industry interest, Secured by Design launched an alarm standard for alarm installation companies which incorporates existing criteria whilst building on police and industry knowledge. The new enhanced alarm standard will ensure a high-quality alarm system, reduce false calls and give customers enhanced levels of reassurance that an alarm installation company meets the exacting standards of the Police Service.

Tindall Security offers tailored services to suit individual preferences and needs, from simple domestic burglar alarms to more sophisticated commercial protection and security solutions. Their in-house expert design team can design and install the latest high-quality technology for the best protection system to homes and businesses.

The company’s services include a diverse range of security networks – such as CCTV systems, fire alarms, SMART integration and video doorbell systems – with the company being SSAIB-certified for all aspects of the Security Systems scheme. All of Tindall Security’s systems are also carefully designed to meet customers’ specifications, however detailed.

David Pomfrett of Tindall Security revealed: “We’re thrilled to be the first company afforded the Secured by Design accreditation for alarm installation in the country. We work to provide people with peace of mind, and being an official Police initiative, this will go a long way to reassure our customers.”

SSAIB chief executive Alex Carmichael commented: “We would like to congratulate SSAIB-registered firm Tindall Security for being the first company in the UK to achieve SBD alarm installation certification.

“One of the many benefits of third-party certification is that it allows companies to display their conformity to the relevant British and European Standards, while this new standard also permits them to further enhance their credentials – and their standing within the industry – by being named as a Police Preferred Specification alarm installer as well.”

Ken Meanwell of Police Crime Prevention Initiatives added: “I am absolutely delighted that Tindall Security have become the first accredited SBD alarm installation company – as it has never been more important for consumers to rely on professional companies to deliver high quality alarm systems and services.

“Compliant alarm systems and reputable installation companies are essential to ensure that you will get the appropriate response to an alarm activation. If the system is not compliant [then] there will not be an immediate Police response, something which could be vital if someone is in immediate danger or property is being stolen.”

The new SBD alarm standard is not a replacement for the National Police Chiefs’ Council Security Systems Policy (NPCC SSP) or an alternative for certification by one of the UKAS-accredited certification bodies, such as SSAIB. However, installers meeting the SBD alarm standard now have the option of joining this SBD scheme, following an assessment from their respective Alarm Inspectorate body, enabling buyers to have confidence in installers utilising the trusted ‘Police Preferred Specification’ branding.

Find out more about the SBD Alarm Standard for alarm installation companies at www.policesecuritysystems.com.

The BS 8418 standard - formerly known as ‘Detector-activated CCTV’ - has undergone a major re-write.

One key aim of the re-write was to make changes to the technical requirements, to encourage a wider adoption of the standard by installers of these systems.

Long standing criticism of the standard was that some of the security features necessary for sites at higher risk of theft or damage resulted in a BS 8418 system being a very expensive proposition. A good proportion of detector-activated systems - where the risk was assessed to be lower - do not warrant the security features that result in the additional expense.

SSAIB were overjoyed to see our registered firms accounted for a quarter of the winners of yesterday’s ACS Pacesetters Security Officer of Distinction Awards.

Owing to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 event took place live on YouTube. However, that did not stop security officers from SSAIB firms Dardan Security, ICTS UK & Ireland and Land Sheriffs from popping the champagne at home – after the trio each had a representative within the list of 12 winners.

Javon Lewis of Cambridge-based Dardan Security was the second recipient on screen to collect his prize, during an awards show that SSAIB was proud to sponsor – as it recognises the achievements of security officers who go “above and beyond” in the line of duty and, in many instances, risked injury to themselves to prevent harm to others.

Barry Chapman and Tony Hall – representing Essex SSAIB firm Land Sheriffs Lts – then collected their award together, before fellow SIA Approved Contractors Scheme (ACS) firm ICTS UK & Ireland were able to champion the achievements of award winner Joherul Hoque.

The full list of 2021 winners are as follows:

Ashley Munn – Venture Security Management Limited

Javon Lewis – Dardan Security

Barry Chapman & Tony Hall – Land Sheriffs Limited

Joherul Hoque – ICTS UK & Ireland

Abdul Munim Khan – Axis Security Services Limited

Bartosz Wesierski – Constant Security Services Limited

Connor McMillan – Incentive Facilities Management Limited

Joshua Welch – APCOA Parking

Cedric Hudson – TSS (Total Security Services) Limited

Majid Khan – The Westgrove Group

Lucy Eaton – Sodexo Limited

Shayne Lacey – Oakpark Security Systems Limited

SSAIB Security Services scheme manager Lynn Watts-Plumpkin was on hand to present two of the awards, but we would like to extend our congratulations to all 12 of this year’s winners – as well as all 89 of those exceptional security officers that were shortlisted in what has been a very difficult year for the security industry and society as a whole.

If you want to catch-up with the ACS Pacesetters Security Officer of Distinction Awards 2021, it can be viewed on YouTube now at https://youtu.be/WyPIgSOOLGA?t=570

As the Official Installer Partner of IFSEC International and FIREX International, SSAIB are delighted to be taking part in IFSEC Connect – as the flagship event for the fire and security industries goes online for the whole of June.

IFSEC Connect – taking place between June 1-30, 2021 – will bring together the global security industry through an online marketplace and virtual meetings, while Europe’s largest dedicated in-person security event IFSEC International will return to London’s ExCeL in May 2022.

In place of this year’s in-person event in London - which had been scheduled to run from July 12-14 - the IFSEC team will turn its full attention to IFSEC Connect, an immersive, AI-powered, online experience that gives attendees the opportunity to engage with new international suppliers and peers through an online marketplace and tailored meeting recommendations throughout June 2021.

It is part of a series of online events co-located with FIREX International, Safety & Health Expo, Facilities Show, Workplace Wellbeing Show and Intelligent Building Europe providing networking opportunities to bring our global communities together.

Combined, they will offer delegates the chance to learn from over 70 educational sessions – which feature over 100 speakers – and the opportunity to network with over 300 leading industry suppliers.

Leading industry players including Dahua, HID Global, Motorola Solutions, SSAIB and Texecom will be available for appointments when the platform opens for meetings from Tuesday June 1.

This year’s IFSEC International had been scheduled to take place at London’s ExCeL from July 12-14. However, the team is now focused on preparations for the 2022 edition, with leading names such as Hikvision, Paxton Access and Anixter having already booked their space.

Chris Edwards, group director at Informa Markets, said: “We’ve worked tremendously hard along with our venue and contractor partners to deliver an event that is both safe and successful for all involved, but it’s become clear that with the ongoing international travel disruption and general uncertainty caused by the pandemic that transitioning to a vibrant online experience that the whole international security community can be part of is the right thing to do.

“Our virtual event, IFSEC Connect, will offer delegates and suppliers the chance to come together online and we look forward to delivering an in-person series of events at a scale our customers are used to seeing in 2022.”

SSAIB sales and marketing manager Andrew Brown added: “Once we were told of the concept of IFSEC Connect, SSAIB signed up straight away to take part.

“While we were looking forward to the in-person IFSEC International after a prolonged absence of industry events over the last 12 months, I’m sure IFSEC Connect will fill the void for this year and allow us to catch up with a host of familiar faces across the month.

“We will have a team of SSAIB representatives available throughout the event to speak to SSAIB-certified firms, prospective new firms and other industry figures that have signed up for IFSEC Connect. SSAIB will also be taking part in other aspects of the event as well, which will be announced in due course.”

Connect begins on Tuesday June 1 and delegates can register free of charge by visiting http://www.ifsecglobal.com/event/en/register-partner.html?utm_source=SSAIB&utm_medium=Comarketing&utm_campaign=IFSEC2021_partnermarketingtoolkit

Banham Security and ECHO (Electronic Call Handling Operations Ltd), the not-for-profit industry backed alarms handling operator, have announced Banham Security as their launch customer – the first UK Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) to be ECHO-connected, fast tracking alarm signals to the Police.

ECHO is set to transform intruder and hold-up alarm signal handling to the Police when ‘every second counts’, and Banham is at the forefront of this initiative to deter crime and facilitate a faster police response.

By switching from traditional telephone communication – between individual ARCs and Police Control Rooms – to an ECHO-connected process, police response times can be improved by as much as 4 minutes, a more efficient and effective deployment of Police resources to alarmed premises.

All approved ARCs in the UK are now able to get ECHO-connected and help improve police response times for the certificated alarm systems they monitor. Robust connectivity to ECHO is being provided by BT Redcare and CSL networks. A key component of ECHO ARC eligibility criteria is Cyber Essentials/Plus certification, demonstrating ongoing commitment to cyber security.

Domestic and commercial users of NSI and SSAIB approved installers and their professionally installed alarm systems, can benefit from ECHO as Police Forces and ARCs around the UK get ECHO-connected during 2021.

Managing director of Banham Security Martin Herbert commented: “Banham is delighted to be the first ECHO-connected Alarm Receiving Centre in the UK. This is an exciting moment, not only for Banham, but for the entire UK security industry.

“ECHO’s new technology has allowed us to transform the way our industry responds to alarm activations by rapidly reducing response times, providing support for the Police and giving additional peace of mind to our customers. It has been a privilege to have worked in partnership with ECHO in achieving successful end to end testing of this ground-breaking technology at our in-house Alarm Receiving Centre in South West London.

“Having remained at the forefront of burglary prevention for over 95 years, Banham are proud to have worked with ECHO in setting a new benchmark for security innovation and alarm monitoring for the industry.

ECHO director Martin Harvey added: “We are incredibly grateful to Banham for their support and assistance in the development of the ECHO concept over the last three or more years and welcome them as the first ECHO-connected UK Alarm Receiving Centre.

"The ECHO initiative is a shining example of how collaboration between the Police and the professional private security industry – when motivated to work together – can deliver significant and tangible benefits for all.”

For more information on ECHO, visit www.echo.uk.net.