In one of the most significant contracts in the sector, Mitie has a new five-year contract to continue delivering guarding services at Sellafield, the nuclear facility in west Cumbria. The contractor points to its decades-long presence at the site, where it has provided security services since 2012. The facilities management company has a Civilian Guard Force (CGF) of almost 400, doing access control, pass checking, vehicle and personnel searches, vehicle escorting and patrolling.
The contractor reports the creation of a specialist role within Mitie’s Intelligent Security Operations Centre (ISOC) in Northampton for sharing intelligence between Mitie, Sellafield, the 100 per cent armed Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC, pictured from a Professional Security Magazine feature on Project Servator at Sellafield in 2017) and the wider UK nuclear estate.
As part of the contract, Mitie will set up a new Intelligent Nuclear Security Centre of Excellence in west Cumbria. The dedicated facility will deliver Mitie’s Professionalisation Programme, designed to prepare people to operate in one of the UK’s most sensitive settings by training in counter-terrorism search techniques and the specialist skills for nuclear guarding. Mitie adds that it will work with local academic partners to develop an accredited qualification, which will become a national standard for nuclear security.
Mitie says it’s supporting local employment and creating ‘back into work’ pathways within the community. Last year, nine who completed the Mitie Foundation’s ready2Work programme at Sellafield secured permanent roles with the CGF. On the sustainability side, Mitie is to progress towards carbon-neutral operations at the site, supported by a 90 per cent electric fleet.
Gary Culloden, Managing Director, Security at Mitie, said: “This new contract reflects the strength of our long-standing partnership with Sellafield and the vital role our Civilian Guard Force colleagues play in protecting Europe’s most complex nuclear site. We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively to deliver resilient, high‑performing security services, while investing in innovation, skills and local employment to support the UK’s nuclear estate.”
Alongside security
Mitie holds an integrated FM contract at Sellafield, carrying out services such as the commissioning, installation, modification and removal of site equipment, including compressor roofing and electrical control panels.
CNC recruits
Meanwhile the CNC has opened recruitment for Authorised Firearms Officers (AFO) at Sellafield as part of a rollout nationally to sustain continuous armed protection at one of the UK’s most sensitive nuclear sites.
