Predominantly serving clients in the aviation industry, ICTS (UK) has operated in the security sector for the past 25 years, and has now taken the decision to ‘go the extra mile’ in supporting the public and private sectors from the evils of terrorist attack and drugs misuse.
Having already invested in excess of GB pound 1 million over the past few years on the introduction of various canine search capabilities for end user customers, the company has now opened a dedicated Canine Search Division on the Milton Park site in Didcot, near Abingdon in Oxford.
A state-of-the-art kennel complex and aviation cargo screening facility for the RASCargO Programme has been constructed in the grounds of the new Combined Operations, Research and Training Centre, which includes 20 individual kennels. In compliance with the Department for Transport’s stringent operating standards, additional cargo screening suites are also located at Heathrow and in Manchester.
Explaining the RASCargO technique
The RASCargO technique uses specially-trained search dogs to remotely detect explosives. It was developed by the Department for Transport in collaboration with scientists at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory.
The service allows end users to screen oversized and/or ‘dense’ cargo that cannot readily be checked by traditional methods. All samples are collected from freight using special filters which are then presented to the highly-trained dogs in a safe and controlled environment.
All ICTS-GIS traditional explosive handlers and dogs are trained at Home Office-accredited police dog training schools, and are required to attain the same Association of Chief Police Officers standards as rank-and-file police personnel working in this discipline. Eight satellite teams operate from strategic locations around the country.
The skilled teams of explosive search dogs deploy to many of the UK’s iconic sporting locations, while also serving standard operations in the transport sphere.
Greater liaison is on its way
Speaking to info4security.com about these developments, John Franklin-Webb of ICTS commented: “We believe that in the next few years there will be a much greater liaison and co-operation between the Government agencies and the private security sector as vigilance increases during the build-up to the 2012 Olympic Games. For any organisation to succeed and be accepted for work at the Games, they must meet the exacting criteria laid down by the authorities just as we have done.”
Guests at the official opening included representatives from Her Majesty’s Prison Service, Nick Gargan (assistant chief constable for local policing at Thames Valley Police), British Telecom, the Metropolitan Police Service and Essex Police, as well individuals attending on behalf of private, grammar and state schools – environments (along with shopping centres and the workplace) where ICTS is striving hard to eradicate drugs misuse.
The voice of experience
Anti-drugs campaigner Elizabeth Burton-Philips also attended on the day. Elizabeth’s twin sons became heroin addicts following their prolific use of cannabis. Unfortunately, Nicholas eventually committed suicide as a result, but Simon has subsequently beaten his addiction.
Not surprisingly, Burton-Philips applauds the use of trained drug dog search teams. “If only my sons’ school or one of the licensed premises they frequented had used this highly effective deterrent, it could have halted their downward spiral before it was too late,” she explained.
“Those parents, schools and licensees choosing to turn a blind eye towards this problem might as well be promoting misuse. ICTS is doing a sterling job in ensuring that drugs misuse is stamped out wherever and whenever possible.”
