A winter safety campaign, urging people to ‘Stay Safe, Tell Security’, has been launched by the Security Industry Authority (SIA). The aim; fostering public awareness of shared responsibilities in keeping public spaces safe.
The online campaign emphasises the importance of teamwork in public safety, encouraging the public, security people, and businesses to collaborate by staying vigilant and reporting anything unusual to licensed security staff or the police. It highlights the critical role of trained security operatives in promoting a secure and welcoming environment during busy winter months.
Heather Baily, Chair of the SIA said: “Public safety is a team effort, and we want the public to feel empowered to approach licensed security staff if they need help or see something troubling. The training that SIA licensed security operatives undergo equips them with safety critical skills not only to protect but also to support the public in times of need.
“With training in identifying vulnerable individuals, delivering basic first aid, and responding to potential terrorist incidents, security operatives offer a first line of support for those in need. This winter, we encourage everyone to join us in staying alert and proactive, helping to keep our communities safe.”
Visit the Winter Public Safety Campaign page – https://thesiauk.blog/stay-safe-tell-security/. There you can download marketing materials, including about the official ACT (Action Counters Terrorism) online training.
Non-execs
The SIA meanwhile seeks two Non-Executive Directors. The work of about 24 days a year earns £10,000. Closing date for applications is 11pm on Monday, December 9. The SIA faces some busy years ahead because, once the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, better known as Martyn’s Law, gets passed by Parliament, likely in the spring of 2025, the SIA is in line to take up the regulatory function, setting standards for compliance and inspecting premises. The SIA was already proposing to refresh its approved contractor scheme (as of this month some 764 firms were approved), its core task besides the badging of individuals.
Photo by Mark Rowe: SIA-badged security officer and dog, Excel, London Docklands.
