CURRENT AFFAIRS
The BSIA Briefing: May 2010
Posted by Callum Waddell on 08/06/10
According to the BSIA, the coalition Government must involve the security industry in its ongoing regulatory plans. Here, in the Association's latest Briefing, Pauline Norstrom explains why.
Despite its short time in power, the new coalition Government has already announced plans for a further focus on CCTV regulation. The BSIA welcomes these pronouncements, albeit with certain provisos, writes Pauline Norstrom.
As part of its proposals for a renewed look at civil liberties in the UK, the Government has signalled that it will be seeking to move towards further regulation of CCTV. This commitment was reinforced only last week when the new Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, cited the regulation of CCTV as one of the new Government’s key priorities.
Undoubtedly, CCTV has a profound impact on crime prevention and detection, and promoting Best Practice within this area remains of great importance to the BSIA’s CCTV Section.
It is for this very reason that the BSIA responded positively to the recent announcement of an increased focus on regulation. However, it’s imperative that the new Government takes a considered and balanced approach to this issue and is not swayed by the CCTV naysayers to take decisions which will be to the long-term detriment of the effectiveness of this technology for public and private space surveillance alike.
Any measure needs to be thought through very carefully indeed. It cannot simply be a case of regulation for regulation’s sake.
Key indicator of the Government’s intent
A key indicator of the Government’s intent will come to light in terms of how it deals with the security industry on this matter. We would hope that, moving forward, the politicians are open to engagement and take steps to work closely with key industry Stakeholders – including the Association – in the decision-making process.
The BSIA has a long track record of working alongside the UK Government to advise on CCTV and, over the years, has played an important role on the implementation board of the National CCTV Strategy programme. The BSIA is keen to continue this relationship with the new coalition Government.
It’s the Association’s view that properly thought through regulation has the potential to represent a step forward and aid the ongoing development of standards, including image quality and training.
Certainly, standards are essential in the CCTV industry to ensure that the installation, maintenance and operation of equipment works at a satisfactory level. In turn, the implementation of such standards will make the likes of image quality and training a priority.
Image quality and how CCTV footage is stored and managed is particularly vital when it comes to assessing the value of CCTV because clear and decipherable images – with a robust audit trail – are needed in order for the technology to be used to the best of its abilities.
Information to be drawn upon
There is already much Best Practice guidance and standards which the Government should be able to draw upon, much like the previous administration looked to the National CCTV Strategy and helped establish the interim CCTV Regulator.
British Standard BS 8495 is a case in point, having been devised to ensure that CCTV recording systems can be used effectively when it comes to the export of images to be used as evidence.
Increasingly, court cases often rely on CCTV as digital video evidence to piece together events and secure convictions, and it’s therefore imperative the quality of CCTV footage (and how it has been handled) stands up to scrutiny.
The true value of CCTV is evident all around us. In recent years, we have seen the technology assist in major cases such as the Tonbridge Robbery, the Jamie Bulger case as well as, most significantly, the London bombings.
Without CCTV, convictions would not have been attained and cases would perhaps remain unsolved. All areas of society such as local authorities, businesses of every size and the transport sector rely on CCTV, and there is an abundance of cases where the technology has been of benefit to these sectors.
It is with this proven value in mind that, going forward, the BSIA encourages the new Government to consider the regulation of CCTV from a balanced standpoint. In particular, we would urge the Government to recognise the value that properly deployed CCTV can bring, whether it be combating criminal activity or – in this uncertain world – terrorism, and to ensure that the security industry and key Stakeholders are ultimately involved in any discussions on the future of this important technology.
Pauline Norstrom is chairman of the BSIA’s CCTV Section
The BSIA is currently conducting research into the security industry’s thoughts on regulation. The findings will be published in due course.
For more information about the BSIA, please visit the Association’s official website (the link can be found on the right hand panel of this page)
BSIA’s successful roadshows in demand
In preparation for the impending changes to standards affecting the installers of intruder and hold-up alarm systems, the BSIA is in the process of conducting a series of roadshows across the UK. Events to date have been very well received by the Association’s participating members.
The roadshows, which are currently open to BSIA members only, focus on the changes to PD 6662: 2010 (the scheme for the Application of European Standards for Intruder and Hold-up Alarm Systems), BS 8243: 2010 (Installation and Configuration of Intruder and Hold-up Alarm Systems Designed to Generate Confirmed Alarm Conditions) and DD 263: 2010 (Intruder and Hold-up Alarm Systems: Commissioning, Maintenance and Remote Support).
The BSIA’s technical manager Dave Wilkinson explained: “The roadshows have been very well received by our members, with many calling for more. The sessions guide our members through the technical changes made to the standards. Feedback received so far has been very positive, suggesting the content is very much in touch with what system designers and installers need.”
Wilkinson added: “The plan is to continue these informative roadshows, and the hope is that more staff from our member companies will attend as the information will be of great value to them.”
For further information about the latest planned roadshows, or to book yourself a place on one, please e-mail Dave Wilkinson direct: d.wilkinson@bsia.co.uk
The Big Issue
Battling with a negative image is something that door supervisors have been contending with for a number of years. This problem has been duly recognised by the industry, which is now working to improve the reputation of door staff by way of mandatory training and licensing, not to mention the formation of Stakeholder groups.
Only this month it was reported that a National Doorwatch Steering Group will be created for door supervisors. This group plans to bring staff and the police together to collate information about troublemakers and bring them to the attention of licensees.
Similar schemes already operate across parts of Devon, Cornwall, Coventry and Nottingham, with Leicester, Norwich, Oldham, Gateshead, Kent, Maidenhead and John Street in Birmingham all expressing interest in the group.
The Steering Group would work towards improving the image of door supervisors, and plans to conduct educational programmes in a bid to encourage better behaviour among pub-goers and more respect for door staff across the board.
Peoples' perceptions: they're beginning to change
Tony Clarke, the BSIA’s Leisure Industry Security Section Chairman, has been involved in a similar operation known as National Pubwatch, and is now on board with the National Doorwatch scheme.
Speaking to SMT Online, Clarke said: “Despite enduring criticisms and the ongoing image that door supervisors are about brawn and not brains, peoples’ perceptions are slowly moving away from that viewpoint.”
Clarke added: “As a result of the Private Security Industry Act 2001, and the move towards compulsory licensing, door supervisors are enjoying an increasingly professional image which, in turn, is having a positive impact within the industry.”
In conclusion, Clarke explained: “The formation of a National Doorwatch Steering Group will only work to the door supervisors’ advantage by ensuring that this positive image continues to be portrayed throughout society. I hope to see many more regions across the country join the scheme in our bid to enhance the reputation of the leisure industry security.”
Taken from Info4Security
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