At the University of Leeds, eight contracted officers provided by Axis Security work alongside the university’s in-house security and carry out services, including CCTV monitoring and patrols, library services, and porterage. Axis also offers extra officers at short notice for special events.
Alan Cain, Head of Security Services at the University of Leeds, says: “The sheer scale of the operation is like looking after a small town, and the open nature of the 98-acre campus can make for a very different working environment from protecting a building with easily secured entrances and boundaries. I manage a team of 30 in-house security officers and a West Yorkshire Police officer, supported by eight contracted officers supplied by Axis Security, and source additional officers from Axis Security as required, such as for special events.
“The university regularly hosts high profile visitors: since my arrival in 2011 we have hosted David Miliband, Ed Balls and Jack Straw; we have provided security for the England rugby team during their build-up training for the 2012 Six Nations Championship; and over the summer we were responsible for the security of 245 Chinese Olympic athletes and officials during their six-week stay at ‘Leeds Gold’, the Official Preparation Camp for the London 2012 Olympics. Most recently, in February 2013, we also hosted HE Ambassador Daniel Taub, ambassador of Israel to the Court of St James’s,” he adds.
Alan says that the security company secured the contract after going above and beyond expectations in researching the university’ requirements, and offering solutions to the site’s varying challenges: “Of all the companies who bid for the contract, Axis Security put by far the most effort into actually finding out what our needs and requirements were and this was clearly reflected in the quality of the tender document itself. I’m very much looking forward to working with them over the coming years.”
Jonathan Levine, Group CEO of Axis Security, says: “We are very pleased to be lending our support to the University’s security operation, and hope to see this close partnership go from strength to strength as it progresses.” Visit www.axis-security.co.uk.
