Given that UK security exports are growing steadily year-on-year, creating and maintaining links with overseas buyers and distributors is an ‘essential’ for the industry’s many and varied practitioners.
The Middle East is increasingly becoming a focus for British exporters, who are continuing to recognise – and capitalise – on the vast potential offered by this region.
The region presents a rewarding yet challenging environment for exporters, with its countries’ economies ranging from fully developed and technologically advanced ‘powerhouses’ through to politically unstable and still developing states.
However, with increasing efforts being made by various Middle Eastern Governments to attract foreign investment and stimulate competition in the market, there’s vast scope for UK companies to tap into this constantly evolving business environment.
Events: always a welcome platform
High profile international security events are always a welcome platform for exporting companies wishing to reinforce their presence in the Middle East.
Recently, several BSIA member organisations descended on Dubai to attend Intersec, a key event in the exporting calendar which this year focused on developments in the security industry (among them biometric technology, IT and access control systems, CCTV and video surveillance solutions, fire control and suppression, emergency response and crisis management).
The UK’s private security market is very well consolidated, based on decades of experience in securing all aspects of our country’s constantly evolving security needs and proactively introducing technological advancements.
For this reason, the expertise and adaptability of UK-based companies is welcomed and very easily transferred to countries across the globe.
Promoting the benefits of ‘buying British’
The BSIA’s Export Council has long been active in promoting the benefits of buying British security systems and products, and acts as an invaluable port of call for customers or distributors interested in developing a relationship with UK companies.
John Davies, Export Council chairman at the BSIA, was one of the exhibitors at this year’s Intersec event in Dubai, and commented on the show’s importance in targeting the Middle Eastern market.
“This is the sixth year we have attended the show, and it was by far the best to date. This has become a very important exhibition for us, and I definitely look forward to attending again next year.”
Shane Naish, from another Export Council member company, attended the event for the seventh consecutive year, and commented on the state of the United Arab Emirates’ economy for British companies exporting to the region.
“We were encouraged to see that the UAE seems to be thriving again after recent years of slowing economies,” explained Naish. “We received a good level of visitors, and it would appear that many Middle Eastern security projects are now back on track.”
Best service is guaranteed
With the stringent checks that the BSIA conducts on its members, overseas customers can rest assured that they will receive only the best service despite being located in a different country.
The BSIA’s Export Council is well worth contacting if you’re company is interested in developing a relationship with a UK-based organisation, either as a customer or distributor.
To find out more about the work of the BSIA’s Export Council visit the website (a dedicated link can be found on the right hand panel of this page)
United Business Media has just launched IFSEC Arabia. For further details on this exhibition access the link provided to the website and an article first published on Info4Security
Tackling anti-social behaviour: the view from the frontline
Now that almost 50% of all calls to the police service relate to episodes of anti-social behaviour, what role can the private security industry play to help communities tackle this ongoing (and sometimes life-altering) problem?
This was but one of the questions tackled by Dirk Wilson of the BSIA’s Police and Public Services (PPS) Section at a keynote seminar hosted by the Westminster Legal Policy Forum in January.
Other speakers on the day included Sir Denis O’Connor (Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary) and Baroness Newlove of Warrington, the Government’s champion for active and safer communities.
As police forces across the country steel themselves for further financial cutbacks, the private security industry remains prepared to provide essential support to protect communities against anti-social behaviour through street patrols, ongoing CCTV monitoring and Neighbourhood Warden Schemes, in turn often freeing up vital police resources.
Case Study: Berry Brow Estates
Five years ago, a member of the BSIA’s PPS Section was employed to provide increased security in the Berry Brow Estates in Kirklees, Huddersfield. This was an area housing young people from the age of 16-25 from various backgrounds (including asylum seekers, homeless people and ex-offenders), and was renowned for its serious crime and anti-social behaviour.
A team of ten security officers was deployed to provide 24-hour CCTV surveillance and security patrols to tackle wide-ranging incidents including criminal damage, indecent exposure and domestic violence.
While security personnel clearly do not carry the same powers as the police, Security Industry Authority licensing and regulation within the industry has helped to instill high levels of public confidence, subsequently resulting in an improved living environment for residents and the formation of a new Residents’ Association.
CCTV has also become an essential component in the fight against public disorder and anti-social behaviour. In Carlisle city centre, for example, mobile CCTV is deployed on match days to assist with crowd control and combat football violence.
Cumbria Police also use mobile cameras to tackle problem behaviour in key hot spots across the county.
Statistics from the British Crime Survey released last September showed that over 50% of people believe that the police and local agencies are dealing with the anti-social behaviour and crime issues in their local area: a positive endorsement for a police force that’s often stretched to its limits in terms of resource and funding.
With further cuts likely to increase such pressures, valuable partnerships between law enforcement and the security industry could become ever more widespread.
For more information on the BSIA’s work alongside the police visit the Trade Association’s website (the link is provided on the right hand panel of this page)
The Big Issue: Save energy, save money – how security systems can help
As British businesses continue their battle against rising inflation and the surprising economic shrinkage of late 2010, the need to cut costs in any way possible is still at the forefront of the corporate agenda as we begin the New Year.
Despite these financial cutbacks, Corporate Social Responsibility and being able to demonstrate environmental credentials to customers and key Stakeholders remains a priority for many businesses.
What many organisations often fail to realise, however, is the crucial role that their security provider can play in helping to combine the two.
Thanks to the continuous technological development within the private security industry, access control and visitor monitoring systems can now be used as part of intelligent solutions that work alongside Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) to help companies save money on their energy and heating bills.
Data gathered by security systems
In such systems, data gathered by access control and visitor monitoring systems is employed to inform the BEMS of the nature and function of the people occupying a heating zone.
This information is applied by the BEMS to heat-loss algorithms in order to determine the minimum amount of heat to be applied to a particular area, thereby reducing the amount of energy consumed and avoiding any unnecessary wastage.
Identifying patterns in visitor behaviour can stop the unnecessary heating of unoccupied heating zones, saving on fuel and CO2. This works using past data to assess when a certain area of the building is likely to be occupied, activating heating in time for visitors’ arrival and reducing temperature or turning off the heating entirely during periods of inactivity.
Lowering the levels of fuel consumed
Knowing what roles are being fulfilled by individuals operating within a heating zone also allows the BEMS to make adjustments and lower the amount of fuel consumed.
For example, cleaners and/or people performing manual or physical tasks can work in slightly lower temperatures than, say, office workers (whose role is largely sedentary).
Figures published by Business Link show that the typical office can reduce its heating bill by up to 8% a year simply by lowering the temperature by one degree.
Many organisations – both in the public and private sector – are now experiencing variable occupation within their buildings. That being the case, using intelligent access control and visitor management systems to regulate energy consumption is the logical next step towards cutting costs and reducing environmental impact.
To find out more about access control take a look at the dedicated section on the BSIA’s website (a link is provided on the right hand panel of this page)
Amanda Beesley is PR and marketing communications manager at the BSIA
