Former military personnel has been hired by Securi-Guard to carry out a risk assessment of South West Water sites in Devon.
They have been recruited as security inspectors for a six-month pilot scheme the Plymouth-based security firm is operating in partnership with the water company, which has more than 2,000 sites across Devon and Cornwall.
The pilot study follows Government demands for even more stringent security around all water sites. South West Water’s water treatment works, as well as its sewage pumping stations and sewage treatment works, already meet the strictest of security levels, but now Defra has called for tougher criteria, given the current climate.
During the pilot scheme, a set number of sites in Devon will be risk assessed for possible interference with the water supply as well as other crimes such as theft, vandalism and arson. If the pilot study proves successful, it maybe extended to cover all the company’s water assets across both Devon and Cornwall.
Mark Tapper, Business Development Manager for Devon and Cornwall at Securi-Guard, said: “Quite rightly, South West Water takes the security of its water assets very seriously indeed and all the inspectors we have recruited will bring a first class skills set and work ethic to this very vital study.”
Scott Boyd, Managing Director of Securi-Guard said the pilot scheme marked an exciting period of collaboration with South West Water. “We are looking forward to bringing our depth of knowledge and experience in the security industry to assist South West Water with the extensive risk assessment of their sites across the county,” said Scott.
Buster Brown, Corporate Security Manager for South West Water, said: “The public can rest assured that we have always had a robust security process in place for all our water assets, but the Government is, quite rightly, demanding even greater safety criteria given the current climate and we will be working with Securi-Guard to deliver that.”
The pilot study is now under way and the inspectors will be using vehicles carrying South West Water and Securi-Guard branding, to reflect the partnership nature of the scheme.
