CRACKDOWN ON COWBOYS

Article from the Liverpool Daily Post

Overview

This article details how we were awarded the Gold Award for security by the Security Watchdog. Peter Quinlivan, MD of Crime Management Services.

NEW laws aim to tighten up the rules for those operating security firms. A recently passed Act - the Security Act 2001 - will establish a national register of licensed companies who will be recognised by the Association of Insurers.

The new legislation will involve the checking of those involved in the trade for criminal records and whether it is suitable for a particular company to hold a licence.

In 1995, it was estimated that private security staff committed 2,600 criminal offences each year.

A south Liverpool security firm has become one of the first to be a warded a Gold Award by the independent watchdog set up to help oversee the act's introduction.

Crime Management Services Ltd run by Mossley Hill's Peter Quinlivan ­ won the award after working with the watchdog for eight months.

Roy Bradley, a policeman for 30 years and now a member of the security watchdog, said: “Only accredited companies will get on the approved list and must satisfy strict criteria before being recognised.”

“There are a lot of misgivings at government level that the industry is not everything it should be. I don't know if this will eradicate the cowboy operators altogether but people will be able to know who the legitimate companies are. There is quality out there if customers want to pay for it.”

Crime Management Services Ltd won the Gold Award for innovative practises, particularly in the field of employee relations.

Mr Quinlivan said “We're one of the first in the country to get the award and we're very proud of it. We've spent thousands on employee training but it has been worth it. At the moment we've got 55 employees and we're growing weekly.”

One of the innovations established by Mr Quinlivan is an Employee of the Month Award and it was recently presented for the first time to Bob Carter, who has been part of the security staff at Childwall Comprehensive School for three years.

Bobby, as he is known in the school is an extremely popular member of staff and won a weekend break with his wife as part of his prize.

Lorraine Cox, school manager at Childwall, said “Bobby has been with us for a number of years now and we specifically asked for him to stay with us. He is so diligent and supportive.”

Bobby, who was presented with his award by school headmaster Dewi Phillips said “I´m really made up, I never thought I would get this.”