The BSIA has again announced the regional winners in its Annual Security Officer Awards, designed to illustrate the considerable achievements of security guards employed by BSIA members around the country.
Three new categories were introduced this year, namely Best Team, Best Use of Technology and Best Newcomer.
The 38 regional winners will go on to the final judging round, and national winners will be presented with their awards at the BSIA’s Annual General Meeting in July.
<B>The 2001 Regional Winners</B>
<B>Best Team</B>
The security team at Pilkington Glass in St Helens has won the prestigious title of North West Security Team of the Year. The team of officers from Reliance Security Services won the award for their work in preventing and detecting theft. In December last year, they notched up their 100th intruder arrest.
Meanwhile, the security team at the Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer legal partnership in Fleet Street has won the title of London Security Team of the Year. The 22-strong team of officers from Whitehall Security Services won the award for their work over the last 20 years in protecting the law firm’s properties and thousands of employees.
<B>Outstanding Act</B>
Security Officer Everton Allen has been awarded the title of North West Security Officer of the Year. 46-year-old Everton, who works for Galago, was commended by the judging panel for containing a major spillage of resin at a building technologies plant in Swinton, where he has been based for two years.
The Midlands Security Officer of the Year Award goes to Michael Birch of Reliance Security Services, who showed courage and quick thinking when he prevented a double- decker bus being stolen from the town’s Centro bus station. Despite being assaulted by the wrong-doer, 53-year-old Michael prevented him from driving out onto the public highway.
Initial Aviation Security’s officers Matt Rochel and Frank O’Hanlan share the title of South Wales Security Officer of the Year. 45-year-old Matt and 55-year-old Frank managed to prevent a man from committing suicide at Cardiff International Airport, where they have been based for five months.
Brian Wadman of The Shield Guarding Company takes the London Security Officer of the Year Award for containing a fire at the Nomura International Building in the City, where he has been based for ten years.
<B>Best Use of Technology</B>
The CCTV operators at Corby Borough Council share the title of Midlands Security Officer of the Year. The team, all employed by The Corps, was nominated for the award following a series of crime fighting successes. Thanks to the team’s efforts, Corby’s town centre crime rate has dropped by 32%.
CCTV operators based at King’s Cross Police Station have shared the London Security Officer of the Year title. Employed by The Corps, the guarding team won the award for their consistent vigilance in helping to detect and prevent crime on the streets.
They have also used CCTV cameras for a range of public safety purposes, including keeping the Highways Department fully informed about road maintenance problems.
<B>Best Newcomer</B>
The London Security Officer of the Year Award in this category goes to Scott Yeates of Whitehall Security Services. 27-year-old Scott has been recognised for both his organisational ability and supervisory skills.
<B>Service to the Customer</B>
Store detective Abderrahman Souguir takes the title of London Security Officer of the Year for his work over a 14-month spell at the James Selby Department Store in Islington, north London.
Abderrahman, 34, who works for guarding contractor CIS Security, was recognised particularly for his efforts during the past year – he has made 329 arrests, and recovered GB pound 20,000 worth of stolen goods.
<B>Outstanding Act</B>
<B>Best Use of Technology</B>
<B>Service to the Customer</B>
<B>Best Newcomer</B>
