Report to:
Economic Development and Community Safety Scrutiny Committee
Date:
1st December 2003
Report of:
Corporate Security Services Officer
Subject:
Audit of Security Services and Corporate Security Strategy
________________________________________________________________
1.
INTRODUCTION
This report is to identify the progress of the Audit of Security Services within
Salford and the development of the Corporate Security Strategy. The provision of
a CCTV strategy has been incorporated within the Corporate Strategy.
2.
BACKGROUND
The Corporate Security Services Officer is employed within the Community
Safety Unit. The purpose of this position is to create a central role to ensure coordination between the various security services operating within Salford. This
includes CCTV, Mobile patrols, Alarms monitoring, Key holding and Guarding. A
key objective of this role is the provision of Audit of all security services and the
development of a partnership strategy.
3.
AUDIT of SECURITY SERVICES
The audit covers the areas of CCTV Installations, alarm systems, guarding and
key holding/response services. Information requested includes:
Description of service, location, condition, maintenance, links to other services
and its crime prevention role.
Data was collected through the delivery of a Proforma document sent to all
Directorates in the Council, and approved by the Corporate Security Working
Group, and by the commission of an independent consultation document
provided by Optimum Risk Assessment Ltd. (Appendix)
The audit has suffered from a slow response and the data is still incomplete,
particularly in the area of finance. No information has been received from the
Education Directorate
The Audit matrix is being distributed as a living document, which will be up dated as additional information is received by the Corporate Security Services
Officer
4.
CORPORATE SECURITY STRATEGY
Delays in the development of the strategy are partially due to the Audit
requirements however the construction of the strategy has involved complex
issues, which required clarity before they could be included in the strategy. This
has included research into areas of Information Technology, systems of joining
up various schemes exploring partnership opportunities with other Authorities
and commercial operations and ensuring realistic methods of working. The
strategy is based upon fully researched information and consultation and is
designed to meet the needs of current technology, methodology and best value
ways of working.
Key elements of the Strategy:

The Strategy relies upon the process of Partnering at all levels, both
internally and looks to find commercial operators who will be willing to
work with the authority and commencing of finding ways to make best use
of what we currently have.

Communications as the base to start from – all aspects of joining services
together.

The Corporate Security Strategy works with areas identified within the
Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy.

All of the elements take account of the need to improve the targeting of
resources, increased intelligence gathering capacity, improved efficiency,
high impact against criminal activity and a clear statement of intent to
both criminals and their victims.

Improved use of technology looking at Biometric recognition systems,
Automatic Number Plate Recognition etc.

Develop a brand image for all security services in Salford.

Look at opportunities to develop a corporate team for security.

Capitalise upon the accreditation of Security Services through the Police
Reform Act.

Improve efficiency and delivery, through the standardisation of contracts.

The need to identify performance indicators for the strategy and its
delivery.

Fast tracking of two CCTV schemes (Chapel street, and Little Hulton
District centre).

Complying with current legislation particularly in the areas of data
protection and human rights.

Funding Requirements to be considered within the Implementation plan
5.
CURRENT SITUATION
CORPORATE SECURITY WORKING GROUP
It has been agreed by the partnership that the current Corporate Security
Working Group should be reviewed and a new model introduced as follows:
1. Bruce Jassi Director of Environmental Services has been identified to
champion the strategy and Chair a strategic group with responsibility for
implementation.
2. Various sub groups of technical officers will be identified by the strategic group
to lead on implementing specialist areas of the strategy and report periodically to
them with action plans.
3. The development of the group has commenced and a number of steps
identified including: preparation of a document outlining the way forward to
implementation. Identification of the proposed group members from various
areas of the partnership. A new title to identify the multi agency approach to be
adopted following approval, (Multi Agency Core Group). Invitations are currently
being issued to the proposed core group members to attend the first meeting in
December.
CORPORATE SECURITY STRATEGY
The strategy is in the final stages of preparation for the Cabinet. This is planned
for the New Year to allow the Multi Agency Core Group to meet and formalise its
aims, objectives and time frames for delivery. Identification of the sub groups and
the setting of their objectives will also take place at this time.
AUDIT OF SECURITY SERVICES
The audit has all the current information available included in its data – base. Part
of the work of the Core Group will be to fill in the gaps, particularly in the areas
of education and funding/costs issues. (Appendix)
FORWARD STEPS TO DATE




Identification of potential new partners. (NCP, Peel Holdings, SYAC UK)
Improved understanding of the situation following the audit information.
The Cities monitoring stations have been modernised and made more efficient.
Work on compliance with e Data Protection Act 1998 is now producing results –
new CCTV street advisory signs and data management systems have been
introduced.
 Quaywatch mobile patrol services are currently under review to identify
proposed changes for a better service; in addition to this the service is being relaunched to the commercial sector through a CD – rom
Stuart A Hunter
Corporate Security Services officer