Securi-Guard Fire And Security | News Feed

Double Birthday celebration for family fire and security firm

The South West’s largest independent supplier of fire and security solutions has a double birthday celebration this month.

Not only is family owned Securi-Guard celebrating 30 years in business it has also has marked the 15th anniversary of its award winning Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) with a major refit.

The Plymouth-based firm has been under the same family directorship since April 1982 when current chairman Bill Boyd bought the original company Smith’s Property Protection and rebranded it Securi-Guard.

His son and daughter, Managing Director (Operations) Scott Boyd and Kim Precious Managing Director (Administration) now share day to day management of the company and celebrated the landmark.

“From an original staff of four, the company now has an annual turnover of £8 million, something we are all very proud of. What is also nice is that a number of staff are related through marriage so it really does feel like an extended family business,” said Kim.

“We now look forward to another 30 years and it will be amazing to see where security technology is when we celebrate that birthday!”

Meanwhile, the major refit of the ARC – which began operations in January 1997 – has been carried out by the company who built the security firm’s first ever control room.

It is more than 20 years since Plymouth-based Shop Fitting by SWS built the first control room at Securi-Guard’s the HQ in Roborough, Plymouth - and they have been back again to carry out the latest refit.

The very latest technology has been installed in the centre as part of the refurbishment, which also included new custom built furniture for the operators, kitchen facilities and improved flooring, ceilings and wall coverings.

Securi-Guard’s 60 plus strong monitoring team was moved to another area within the secure building and maintained a normal service throughout the period of the refurbishment, which took just two weeks to complete.

The refit also coincides with the pending launch of a brand new website for the company’s monitoring services www.securi-guardmonitoring.co.uk, developed by Plymouth-based agency Real Fusion Creative.

Alarm Receiving Centre manager Mary Campbell said some of the equipment and surroundings were in need of updating to ensure the ARC was operating at an optimum level.

“Existing equipment was more than capable for the job, but the new bigger screens will greatly enhance our CCTV monitoring service to all clients and we also took the opportunity to improve the working environment for our staff,” said Mary.

“The ARC is a key part of our business and we want to ensure we are making use of the best available technology as well as creating the best possible working environment for our monitoring staff.”

Colin Kalas, Managing Director of Shop Fitting by SWS, said: “Securi-Guard’s first control room was also my first major project as a shopfitter, so it was a great privilege to be invited back to carry out the new re-fit.

“Technology has changed quite dramatically in that time and this is certainly reflected in the new refit. It will probably be very different again in another 20 years time.”

The largest monitoring centre west of Bristol, it is used for the NSI Gold standard approved monitoring of intruder and fire alarms, CCTV, lone worker devices and vehicle tracking both in the UK and across Europe.

State-of-the-art digital CCTV install to protect Cornish tourist spot

Securi-Guard has installed a state-of-the-art digital CCTV system covering the centre of popular Cornish tourist destination and fishing town Looe in a major contract award by the local town council.

Securi-Guard was one of a number of companies chosen to bid for the contract, which involved upgrading the existing analogue CCTV system installed in 2008.

The firm’s team of security specialists recommended the installation of the Avigilon CCTV system and cameras were installed onto a high security wireless network. The network gives the town council the flexibility to add additional cameras, while avoiding the need to dig up any streets.

The system provides coverage of all Looe’s main streets backed up by 30 days recording capability. The system can be monitored from a number of locations and it also can be accessed remotely by the police, council staff and other interested parties.

As a National Security Inspectorate Gold Accredited company for its fire and security services, Securi-Guard more than met the criteria required to bid for the contract as stipulated by the council – particularly in light if its 30 year track record for providing intruder, CCTV access control and fire alarm systems for a variety of private and public sector clients.

Prior to the contract award, Securi-Guard staff held day and night demonstrations using five different types of camera to show which offered the best daylight and night time images for the council’s needs.

Following a tender process in January, the council awarded the company the contract and a number of site meetings were held to determine the location and installation requirements.

Securi-Guard’s installation team worked around traffic and access issues to ensure the work was carried out with the minimum of disruption. The company then held a number of training sessions for those who were to operate the system.

Paul Steeper, Divisional Manager – Fire and Security Systems at Securi-Guard said everyone concerned with the contract was delighted with the outcome.

“The system installed at Looe will have a major impact for the council. The quality of images transmitted is extremely good and we have had nothing but favourable comments locally,” said Paul.

“Once the harbour commissioner saw the benefits of the system, they asked us to provide a specification to merge its analogue CCTV with the town council’s system and such is the flexibility of the Avigilon system, this is very cost effective to achieve.”

An order has now been placed with Securi-Guard to add Looe Harbour’s system to the town centre’s system to provide additional CCTV coverage of the town.

TAPA - Securi-Guard joins international forum tackling supply chain crime

Securi-Guard has been successful in its application to join the high profile Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) that helps to combat the security threats to international supply chains around the globe.

With the theft of high value, high risk products being transported around Europe costing businesses more than 8.2 billion euros a year, TAPA provides a unique forum to help combat this type of crime.

It brings together manufacturers, logistic providers, freight carriers, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders with the common aim of protecting supply chains and reducing losses.

Membership of TAPA means Securi-Guard – which operates vehicle monitoring from a National Security Inspectorate (NSI) Cat II Gold accredited Secure Operating Centre (SOC) - has been recognised as having the security knowledge that would benefit the association’s members.

Securi-Guard is looking forward to sharing this with TAPA to assist in the development of the association’s Truck Security Requirements (TSRs).

Securi-Guard’s (SOC) is also one of only five in the country recognised by the UK police for monitoring high risk / high value assets.

Pete Stanley, Head of Telematics at Securi-Guard said: “TAPA plays a significant role in tackling international supply chain crime and we are delighted to be given an opportunity to use our expertise to assist in that.

“TAPA’s 600 plus members includes many of the world’s leading manufacturing brands and transport providers so it is clearly a prestigious organisation to be a part of.”

TAPA members will also benefit from the security coverage of Securi-Guard’s Securi-Track service, which provides an incident response service covering areas of trade in and around Europe.

Securi-Track is the pioneering international vehicle and asset tracking service operated by Securi-Guard, and its network of European partners, which is designed to speed up management of hijacking and theft incidents.

In the event of an incident, the European partners communicate with their own country’s emergency services, preventing any language barriers, which helps to speed up the process of recovering a stolen or hijacked lorry, as well as its driver and load.

Typically, tracking companies go through a third-party operator when reporting incidents of vehicle thefts or hijacking abroad, who in turn alerts the authorities in the particular country where the crime has taken place.

In contrast, Estover-based Securi-Guard’s high tech computer system removes the third party service from the process and links directly to a specially recruited team of security companies in key European countries.

Mini Rugby stars get a major boost from Securi-Guard

Securi-Guard has proved its sporting pedigree once again by coming to the aid of a children’s rugby team in Cornwall. Liskeard Looe RFC’s under 9 Mini Juniors section was badly in need of new shirts as the current ones were looking increasingly worse for wear.

When Scott Boyd, Managing Director - Operations at Securi-Guard heard about the club’s requirement he offered to help them out though a sponsorship deal. Scott helped provide a new set of shirts, each sporting the Securi-Guard company logo - and the club is delighted with the gesture.

Tony Knightsbridge, Chairman of the Mini Juniors team, took delivery of the striking black and red shirts this week and thanked Securi-Guard for its support for the young players. “As a small club we rely very heavily on volunteers so the ‘subs’ paid by our players is predominantly spent on essential equipment and ensuring our coaches are trained to the right standard,” said Tony. “The current shirts are over two seasons old and not looking their best so when we found out about the shirt sponsorship from Securi-Guard, everyone was over the moon. We like to make sure the team look smart at all times. “Now we are sponsored by a security firm we will do everything we can to ensure our defence is not breached.”

Over the past few years, Securi-Guard – which is based in Estover, Plymouth – has been closely associated with a number of sports teams and individuals in the Plymouth area. The company provides security for both Plymouth Albion rugby team and football team Plymouth Argyle. Scott said that after sponsoring a number of sports organisations in Devon in previous years the company was looking to provide some help in Cornwall. “We know how difficult it is for clubs at grassroots level in terms of funding, whatever the sport, so we were happy to help,” said Scott. “Each year, we may support a club or organisation in some way and wanted to do something in Cornwall this year. This was a good opportunity to do just that.”

Securi-Guard has key role in national oil thefts awareness campaign

Securi-Guard has helped one of its leading industry associations highlight the recent rise in heating oil thefts which is a particular problem in the Westcountry.

The Plymouth-based security firm provided background information to the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) for a major awareness campaign.

BSIA has been highlighting the key role companies like Securi-Guard – the region’s largest independent supplier of fire and security solutions - have been playing in protecting consumers at risk from thefts of fuel then sold on the black market.

Securi-Guard was able to provide BSIA with information on the rise of oil thefts from unsecured storage facilities in Devon, which is also a problem in others parts of the UK.

Amanda Beesley of BSIA said: "The issue of fuel theft was identified as a particular area of concern for the BSIA's Security Systems Section, of which Securi-Guard is a member, at a recent meeting.

“Thanks to the swift submission of useful facts and figures, we were able to warn at-risk groups in the run-up to the Christmas period, a time when they're at their most vulnerable. BSIA will continue to help its members to promote pressing issues such as this as we enter 2012."

Latest figures show that around 1.3 million homes use heating oil, paying an average of £900 for a 1,000 litres and many of these properties are in isolated areas.

Farms appear particularly at risk and it’s been reported that the insurance company NFU Mutual has dealt with more than 100 claims for thefts of this kind with a value of £50,000.

Like other BSIA members, Securi-Guard had developed a number of external alarm systems that would offer protection to external heating oil Storage tanks and external gardens & Sheds.

There are also systems for perimeter detection for general gardens and to combat theft of cooper and lead from roofs or external warehouses.

Using the latest technology, many of the systems suit areas where there is no local power or it would be too costly to bring in a supply. The company can supply a mix of CCTV, Intruder detection and mobile guards to counter all types of risks - and meet budget requirements.

Paul Steeper, Divisional Manager – Fire and Security Systems said: “We were glad to be able to help BSIA highlight the serious issue of oil heating thefts and the steps companies like Securi-Guard are taking to help protect consumers from this kind of crime.

“BSIA plays a very crucial role in promoting the work of its members across all aspects of the professional security industry in the UK and we play a key part in that.”

As one of the leading trade associations, BSIA members provide more than 70 per cent of UK security products and services, while adhering to strict quality standards.

Securi-Track lands Scandinavian fish transport monitoring contract

Securi-Track, the pioneering international vehicle and asset tracking service operated by Securi-Guard, has won a major contract to monitor fish transportation in Scandinavia.

The Plymouth-based security company provide live 24/7 monitoring of the secure transportation of fish from the Nordic regions to Italy.

This will be done via its state of the art Secure Operating Centre (SOC) at Estover, which is linked to the UK’s 52 police forces and other emergency services.

The contract also involves Securi-Guard’s network of European partners in the Securi-Track service providing a security response to the clients, should any of the lorries be targeted by hijackers or thieves.

In the event of an incident, the European partners communicate with their own country’s emergency services, preventing any language barriers which help to speed up the process of recovering a stolen or hijacked lorry and its load.

It was Lars Albaek, owner of Danish company Al-Kon, who asked Securi-Track to provide the monitoring and European Response Service for the fish transportation.

He works with the insurers CODAN Insurance Denmark/Norway, part of the Sun Alliance Group, and the Norwegian transport company Redline Int Thermo, who operate the deliveries.

It is a requirement of the Italian Authorities that deliveries of this type are safeguarded at all times, making Securi-Track the perfect choice for providing this service.

Lars said he was particularly impressed that Securi-Guard was not only able to advise on the performance of the new tracking devices for the transport vehicles, but monitor both the new and the old models simultaneously during the switchover.

Having worked with Securi-Guard in the past on other European services he was also confident in the company’s ability to deliver the level of service he was looking for via Securi-Track.

“Securi-Guard and Securi-Track are among the leaders in the field for monitoring high risk, high value transports and I had no hesitation in securing their services for this contract,” said Lars.

“Their systems knowledge, as well as their understanding of what my requirements were, resulted in a complete solution that is being delivered in a highly professional manner. I was very confident in their ability to deliver such a solution and I have not been disappointed.”

Pete Stanley, Head of Telematics at Securi-Guard and who was in charge of developing the Securi-Track service, said: “Securi-Track continues to set new standards in the field of vehicle and asset monitoring and we are delighted to be able to deliver a monitoring service that is absolutely tailored to Lars’ needs.”

The innovative Securi-Track system is a major international scheme designed to simplify incident management when vehicles are attacked or stolen – saving customers both time and money.

Major fire and security contract at Cornish Innovation Centre

Securi-Guard has landed a major contract to provide a comprehensive range of fire and security solutions at the new Tremough Innovation Centre (TIC) in Cornwall.

Work is underway on the installation at the £13 million centre which is being built on land next to the Combined Universities Cornwall Tremough campus at Penryn.

Securi-Guard will be responsible for installing a wide variety of fire and security equipment at the TIC, which is due to be completed later in the year.

Over the next three months Securi-Guard's installation teams will be fitting fire and intruder alarm equipment, both of which will be monitored 24/7 365 days a year from its Alarm Receiving Centre at Estover.

The systems will protect the state of the art office space and equipment at the innovation centre which has been designed to help start-up business thrive and will create more than 140 jobs.

Paul Steeper, Divisional Manager – Fire and Security Systems at Securi-Guard said: "This is one of a number of high profile systems installs we have carried out recently in both Devon and Cornwall.

"The Tremough Innovation Centre is set to become one of the key economic drivers for Cornwall in the years to come and we are extremely proud to be part of the process that will make that happen."

The hi-tech centre will be operated by the University of Plymouth and has been funded by the Cornwall based Convergence Programme and the South West Regional Development Agency.

The contract award is an example of the growing reputation across the region of Securi-Guard, the South West's largest independent supplier of fire and security solutions.

The company recently completed a comprehensive fire and security install at the brand new homeless shelter at Battery Street in Plymouth.

Equipment including fire and intruder alarms, CCTV and Access Control systems were fitted at the new hostel which is operated by the Shekinah Mission, a charity working with socially excluded and marginalised people of all ages.

Security install at TV chef's new Canteen and Deli

Securi-Guard is installing a comprehensive security system at the new River Cottage Canteen and Deli in Plymouth, owned by TV celebrity chef and food expert Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.

The South West’s largest independent supplier of fire and security solutions is working with shopfitters Crane Interiors on the new high profile restaurant, which is due to open at the city’s Royal William Yard in November.

Securi-Guard, based at Estover in Plymouth, has been working in conjunction with Crane’s programme of works to supply and install a monitored intruder alarm system with Security Officers from the security company acting as first response keyholders in the event of activation.

The company has also supplied and installed a high tech, digital CCTV system which has the facility to be viewed off-site, thus enabling the client to access the cameras’ images from either an office or home computer.

Martin Demuth, a Business Development Manager for the Technical Systems Team at Securi-Guard, said: “We originally supplied our security design and specification to Crane Interiors and we were delighted to be able meet the client’s security and budget requirements.

“We were initially on site back in September when the cabling was originally installed, and are due to return and complete our works ahead of the business opening in November.

“As part of our duty of care to both the client and the shopfitters, we have also been regularly monitoring the site as the building makes the transition to a fully working restaurant with kitchen.”

The new River Cottage Canteen and Deli is situated in the old Grade 1 listed Brewhouse at the Royal William Yard site, a former Royal Navy victualing depot that has been transformed into waterside apartments and several upmarket businesses.

It follows the creation of a River Cottage Canteen and Deli in Axminster, and is committed to serving locally and ethically-sourced supplies.

TV chef and broadcaster Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall believes passionately in the sourcing of local produce where possible, and is firmly committed in his support of local suppliers.

His new Plymouth restaurant has a 25 strong team of staff and features a striking triple height ceiling. It will also have a large outdoor terrace offering spectacular views of the Tamar River and out towards Plymouth Sound.

Securi-Guard signs deal with Geonovo to sell Romad lone worker device

Securi-Guard has signed a deal to sell one of the UK’s leading communication devices designed to help protect lone workers at risk of assault or serious injury.

Under the contract, the Plymouth-based fire and security specialist will become a non-exclusive sales agent for the Romad Personal Safety Device, which is carried by workers who face potential dangers in their daily work routine.

As the South West’s largest independent supplier of fire and security services, Securi-Guard already monitors more than 1,100 of the devices 24/7 and 365 days of the year via its state-of-the-art NSI Gold BS 8484 Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) based at the company’s Estover HQ.

They include staff from both City College Plymouth and Colebrook Housing, as well as bailiffs, debt collectors, court enforcement officers and health and safety officers.

Pete Stanley, Head of Telematics at Securi-Guard, said the Romad Personal Safety Device was considered to be one of the best systems available on the market to give lone workers increased protection at work.

“We have been monitoring the Romad devices for a variety of clients for the past five years and it is very much one of our preferred devices for this kind of work,” said Pete.

“It is compact and uses the latest technology, setting extremely high standards for operational capability. It was a natural progression for us as a company to become a sales agent for the device, as well as a monitoring provider, and we are delighted to extend our association with GEONOVO, the manufacturers of Romad in this way.”

Pete added: “The system gives both the employee and the employer peace of mind and is an ideal solution to protecting those workers facing potential risks in their everyday work.”

Every customer carries a mobile phone style handset linked to global satellite technology and if they are in a perilous situation, can hit a panic button connected to the ARC.

Securi-Guard staff receiving the alarm can hear, communicate with, and using the Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) pinpoint the worker’s location and initiate the appropriate response from emergency services.

The system is ideal for employees who could be at risk of attack or those that may be hurt working in remote locations.

As well as being able to locate a worker’s whereabouts, the alarm receiving centre staff can immediately access, via a computer screen, detailed information about them that maybe important in terms of response.

Chris Penfold of Colebrook Housing said staff have been very impressed with both the devices and Securi-Guard’s comprehensive monitoring service.

“The Romad device, along with the support of Securi-Guard’s first rate level of customer service and expertise has given our employees complete peace of mind.

“The safety and protection of our staff is paramount and Securi-Guard’s lone worker monitoring service has helped us to achieve that. It is a service of the highest calibre and one we would not hesitate to recommend to other organisations with a similar requirement.”

Head shave stunt Greg presents cheque to Chestnut charity

Mobile Security Officer Greg Meatyard has presented a cheque for £255 to local cancer charity Chestnut Appeal, part of the proceeds of a sponsored head shave.

Greg, 45, of Plymouth-based Securi-Guard decided to stage the stunt after he appeared in a promotional video highlighting the charity’s work and was impressed by its commitment to raising awareness about prostate cancer across the region.

He said farewell to his locks at Securi-Guard’s offices in Estover in June raising more than £500 split equally between the Chestnut Appeal and The Forces Children’s Trust, a charity devoted to helping dependent children that have lost a parent who died while serving with the Armed Forces.

Manager of the Chestnut Appeal Lesley-Ann Simpson – who got the shave underway – was on hand to accept the cheque from Greg at Plymouth’s Derriford Hospital, where the charity is based.

Greg was one of a cross section of people from Plymouth who appeared in the video after Securi-Guard was asked by the charity if it could provide an officer in uniform.

The film promotes the charity’s work in highlighting prostate cancer and the fundraising it carries out to help buy vital diagnostic equipment.

“Appearing in the video gave me a real insight into the work of the Chestnut Appeal and the important role it plays in keeping the dangers of this disease in the spotlight,” said Greg, who has worked for Securi-Guard for five years.

“As a charity, they rely on donations to carry out this excellent service and I decided I wanted to make a contribution to help keep the appeal in the spotlight.

Lesley-Ann Simpson said: “It was lovely to hear that Greg wanted to make such a positive contribution to the work of the Chestnut Appeal.

“Without fundraisers like Greg, we would not be able to continue our work and I wish him every success with his event. He was a real star in our video too!”

With over 36,000 new prostate cancer cases diagnosed every year and that number on the increase, the Chestnut Appeal plays a vital role in maintaining awareness of the disease as well as raising money to fund equipment and staff.

Chestnut Appeal fundraisers have helped to provide hospital-based Prostate Cancer Nurse Specialists, known as Chestnut Nurses and also funded state-of-the-art xenon headlights worn by surgeons so operations can be performed more precisely.

The campaign to raise £1 million to establish a treatment centre for prostate cancer sufferers was started by BBC Radio Devon in January 2003. It captured the imagination and a little over two years later had reached its target.

Since then scores of fundraising events have been staged to support the charity’s on-going work.

Pioneering battery powered security system to help combat rise in metal thefts

Securi-Guard is helping to combat an increase in metal thefts from vacant properties through a range of wireless enhanced intruder systems that use mobile phone technology to transmit CCTV images.

The Plymouth-based firm has been carrying out detailed tests on the new systems that are aimed at businesses and organisations looking for a quick, easy and cost effective way to protect against fire and intruders.

Mark Tapper, Business Development Manager – Security Services at Securi-Guard said with metal thefts from empty buildings on the increase the new systems were the perfect addition to the company’s extensive range of fully fitted permanent fire and security equipment.

“There has been a significant rise lately in metal thefts from vacant properties especially where there is no power supply. This system is an ideal solution for this and for securing both commercial and residential premises that are presently being targeted,” said Mark.

“It is an extremely cost effective unit that uses the very latest in wireless technology. It is one of the best products of its type on the market and the tests we have carried out on the system have produced excellent results.”

The systems are designed for buildings that may be vacant for a period of time, in a remote location or for companies looking for a temporary security system. Detectors can be fitted and up and running in minutes and the CCTV images it captures are monitored by staff at Securi-Guard’s Gold Award standard Alarm Receiving Centre at its Estover HQ.

As the systems are operated by a battery that has up to a four year life span they are ideal for premises where the electricity may have been shut down and will stand vacant.

The detectors combine a passive infrared motion sensor, a digital video camera and infrared illuminators into a single wireless battery powered security device. Products are available for both indoor and outdoor use and Securi-Guard fits them with a smoke detector to provide additional fire alert capabilities.

Images picked up by the detector’s motion sensor are transmitted a computer screen at the ARC monitoring centre at Securi-Guard’s HQ.

The system also prevents unnecessary call-outs to a location as a Security Response is only dispatched if the CCTV shows something untoward on the computer screen in the ARC.

Securi-Guard has industry Gold Awards for its ARC fire alarm, intruder alarm and CCTV monitoring, as well as for its security system installation and manned guarding services.

The company has a total of eight Gold Awards for its wide range of services, which are awarded by the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) – the leading approvals and certification body for the security industry.

Securi-Guard lands contract with UK's largest vehicle tracking provider

Ctrack - one of the UK’s largest vehicle tracking and resource management providers - has signed up with Plymouth-based Securi-Guard who will provide 24/7 monitoring of its latest security product.

The Leeds-based firm’s Ctrack ICE is the very latest in lone worker monitoring devices, which are used to protect those workers at potential risk of assault or who work in remote, potentially hazardous locations.

The device offers emergency support for lone workers and two-way voice communication, as well as providing employers with the means of locating its workers in the field when in need of asistance.

Under the contract, the devices will be monitored 24/7 and 365 days of the year from Securi-Guard’s Systems Operating Centre (SOC), which is based at the company’s Estover HQ and is linked to the UK’s 52 police forces and other emergency services.

Head of Telematics UK and Europe at Securi-Guard Pete Stanley –said the new contract would see Securi-Guard working with one of the real industry leaders.

“More than 3,000 companies are now using Ctrack’s advanced technology solutions and we are obviously delighted to be working with such a major force in the industry,” said Pete.

“More and more companies are recognising the value and technological sophistication offered by our services which can now include our European Response Service – Securi-Track and with our eight Gold Accreditations, the most of any NSI member in the UK, Ctrack can be assured of the highest possible level of service and professionalism.”

Launched in July last year, the innovative Securi-Track system is a major international scheme designed to simplify incident management when vehicles are attacked or stolen – saving customers time and money.

Currently, it is commonplace for tracking companies reporting incidents of vehicle theft or hijacking abroad to go through a third party operator which in turn, alerts authorities in the particular country where the crime has taken place.

But Estover-based Securi-Guard’s high tech computer system takes the third party service out of the equation and links directly to a specially recruited team of security companies in key European countries.

Securi-Guard stop's crime in its tracks at TV stars railtrack race

Security officers from Plymouth-based Securi-Guard helped prevent theft and vandalism during filming for Top Gear presenter James May’s model railway challenge in North Devon.

A previous attempt by the TV star to run a miniature train track from Bideford to Barnstaple in 2009 was thwarted when thieves stole batteries and sections of track.

But for the latest stunt – in which raced a team of German model railway buffs along the Tarka Trail – organisers called in the South West’s largest supplier of fire and security solutions to patrol the route.

The security team provided 24 hour cover along the nine miles of track route and each member was equipped with a lone worker monitoring device from RedWeb Technologies, due to the remote nature of the location.

The devices also meant that the location of all the officers could be monitored to ensure every section of the track was protected at all times.

Mark Tapper, Business Development Manager for Security Services at Securi-Guard said: “We were delighted to be asked to provide a security presence at this event.

“Our security team provided a visible deterrent to anyone intent on committing crime and helped to ensure the whole event ran smoothly.”

The model railway race was filmed as a special for May’s popular Toy Stories series.

Around 1000 people turned up at the recent event to see May take on three brothers, who run the world’s biggest model railway exhibition in Hamburg.

The two rival trains departed at opposite ends of the specially built section track, but the winner won’t be revealed until the programme is screened later this year.

RedWeb Technologies signs up to Securi-Track

A brand new state of the art vehicle tracking device designed to protect farm machinery and plant from theft and hijack will be monitored by Securi-Guard’s pioneering Securi-Track system under a new contract deal.

Staffordshire-based RedWeb Technologies is the latest company to sign up to Securi-Track, a UK and Europe wide system launched last year, which has taken incident management for vehicle tracking to a new level.

RedWeb has signed up to Securi-Track as Securi-Guard is the only Gold accredited National Security Inspectorate Systems Operating Centre (SOC) in the UK operating such a service.

Its brand new RX-10 trackers devices that are primarily aimed at the agricultural market will be monitored 24/7 and 365 days of the year from the SOC which is based at Securi-Guard’s Estover HQ.

Head of Telematics UK and Europe at Securi-Guard Pete Stanley – who oversaw the design and development of Securi-Track – said the contract was testament to the growing reputation of the system in both the UK and Europe.

“As Securi-Guard now holds the most Gold Accreditations of any NSI member in the UK, RedWeb can be assured of the best possible level of service and commitment throughout the period of the contract, ” said Pete.

“We now look forward to playing a key role in enhancing the reputations of RedWeb within the industry and the partnership represents an exciting opportunity to expand our service offerings to the market place"

Ilfracombe fire landlord Joseph Draper fined £115K

A north Devon landlord has been fined £115,000 after a massive fire ripped through one of his properties.

Dozens of people were evacuated from their homes in the fire at Hillsborough Terrace in llfracombe in February 2008.

Joseph Draper, 66, of Old Coast Road, in Berrynarbour, admitted four charges involving not having enough fire precautions on doors in some bedrooms.

Exeter Crown Court heard that the terraced house with seven flats on four floors was rented out by Draper.

The prosecution said some residents had to escape across the roof to adjacent properties because of the intensity of the blaze.

No-one was hurt in the fire, which was thought to have been started by accident.

Draper was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £23,000.

Securi-Guard sets the standard

Fire and security specialist Securi-Guard is celebrating a major industry milestone after landing an unprecedented eighth gold industry award for its guarding service.

The prestigious award by the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) means the firm, whose HQ is in Estover, now has the most NSI Gold accreditations of any NSI member company in the UK.

The award comes hard on the heels of a gold standard for vehicle monitoring, which meant Securi-Guard already had the most NSI Gold accreditations of any independent security provider in the South West.

But additional gold awards for lone worker monitoring and now for guarding has put the firm in very select company within the security industry.

The new CEO of the NSI, Brigadier Jeff Little visited Securi-Guard’s headquarters to help the company mark the special milestone and to find out more about its wide ranging fire and security solutions.

His visit included a tour of the company’s Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) from where security systems across the UK and Europe are monitored 24/7.

“Securi-Guard’s Alarm Receiving Centre is a particularly impressive operation and has set the benchmark for others to emulate,” said Brigadier Little.

“I congratulate Securi-Guard on becoming our most highly decorated company and it is clear that a great deal of hard work goes into achieving such a result.

“All the directors, managers and staff are positive, informative and clearly relish their work. They are a credit to the company.”

Dave Campbell, Operations Manager – Security Services, said: “Like all the services we offer, we invest a huge amount of training and management support in our guarding team so they are fully equipped to deliver first class results to our clients in the field.

Securi-Guard’s guarding operation has been quality assured for the past ten years, but the gold award means it is now under the auspices of the NSI, in line with the company’s other services.

The NSI is the leading approvals and certification body for the security industry and carry out a tough audit to ensure companies like Securi-Guard provide a service that meets the highest of standards.

To attain the award, a detailed assessment was carried out to ensure Securi-Guard met certain criteria, including control room procedures, storage of keys and the company’s vetting procedures. A thorough appraisal of all security officers was also carried out.

The company’s further seven gold awards are for:

lone worker monitoring
intruder alarm monitoring
fire alarm monitoring
CCTV monitoring
Vehicle monitoring/tracking
fire alarm installation and maintenance
security system installation and maintenance, comprising intruder alarms, access control and CCTV

NSI accreditation means Securi-Guard meets criteria including highest performance standards and providing a high level of staff training and supervision to industry best practice standards.

Gold status means the company also meet specific Quality Management System standard and offer a high level of insurance specification and preferment.

Scott Boyd, Managing Director (Operations) said: “Yet again we secured another gold award for our services which proves that as a company we continue to go from strength to strength.

“As always, these kind achievements are down to the dedication and professionalism of the staff here at Securi-Guard and I cannot thank them enough for their efforts.”

Securi-Guard is in the driving seat for Imery's contract

Securi-Guard Fire and Security has added a 4x4 off-roader to its fleet of patrol vehicles after successfully acquiring the security contract to protect Imerys Minerals Limited's operations in Cornwall.

Security Officers will use the Hyundai Santa-Fe to patrol various Imerys sites in the St Austell area, covering between 120 and 130 miles a night, seven days a week.

Mark Tapper, Business Development Manager for Security Services at Securi-Guard, said: “We are delighted to be offering Imerys such an important security service.

“The new vehicle will enable the security officers to access every part of the sites to ensure that their integrity from a security aspect is maintained at all times.

Imerys is a world leader in industrial minerals and has extensive China Clay operations in the mid Cornwall area.

The new contract with Imerys is one of a number of fire and security contracts Securi-Guard is servicing in Cornwall as its reputation for delivering high levels of customer service and professional expertise continues to grow across the South West - and elsewhere in the UK.

Greece joins Securi-Guard's European Securi-Track service

Securi-Guard has added another country to its ground breaking Securi-Track service, which is helping to combat vehicle thefts and hijacks across Europe.

Greece is the latest country to join the major international scheme, which is re-writing the rules on incident management for vehicle tracking – saving customers time and money.

European Union figures show that the theft by organised criminals of high value, high risk products being transported across Europe costs businesses in excess of 8.6 billion Euros a year.

Securi-Guard is working with several major suppliers and providing them with vehicle protection services, which includes some of the world’s leading manufacturing brands as well as their logistics and transport providers.

Pete Stanley, Head of Telematics at Securi-Guard, said he was delighted to welcome Greece as a partner into it’s European Response network and said talks are ongoing with other European countries to extend the scheme still further in response to client requirements.

“Greece is one of a number of European route destinations which is used by our clients whose vehicles are being monitored throughout Europe from Securi-Guard’s hi-tech Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) in Estover, Plymouth so we were very keen to extend our sphere of operation into that country,” said Pete.

Currently, it is commonplace for tracking companies reporting incidents of vehicle theft or hijacking abroad to go through a third party operator, which in turn, alerts authorities in the particular country where the crime has taken place.

But UK-based Securi-Guard’s high-tech computer system – developed in Austria - links directly to a specially recruited team of security companies in key European countries.

The system means both Securi-Guard and its network of European security specialists are sharing a common computerised management platform that can be regularly updated and reviewed in ‘real time’, speeding up incident investigation and giving clients a significant cost saving, which can also be made available to and viewed by local police authorities dealing with the incident.

Countries already signed up to the scheme are: Republic of Ireland, France, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Italy, Holland, Denmark and the Czech Republic.

Stricken pensioner owes her life to Alarm Centre staff

Alarm installer Selwyn Rhodes got an emergency call after his own elderly mother’s security system was activated and found her lying stricken in the garden of her home.

Staff in the Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) at Securi-Guard Monitoring - more than 270 miles away in Plymouth - alerted Selwyn, who is based in Brentwood, Essex, after they were unable to contact his mother Eileen Rhodes.

A delighted Selwyn, 58, has praised the alarm monitoring staff at Securi-Guard Monitoring and said his 89-year-old mother owes her life to their speedy response to the emergency.

He has also sent Securi-Guard Monitoring a personal message, thanking the operator and the rest of the ARC staff for their help in dealing with the incident.

“Following the call, I rushed round to my mother’s house and found she had fallen in the garden and broken her right arm,” said Selwyn, who runs his own alarm installation company BB Alarms in Brentwood.

“Without the alert she would almost certainly have not survived the night as she was unable to get up. I cannot thank the operators enough as I am in no doubt they saved her life.”

Eileen, who also lives in Brentwood, was able to raise the alarm thanks to the emergency Help button she carries at all times and which is linked to her security system at home.

She had gone outside to bring her washing in when she fell, but managed to push the button as she lay helpless on the ground.

Staff in the ARC at Securi-Guard Monitoring first tried to contact Eileen when they received the alarm alert in the early evening of September 6.

But when she failed to respond they immediately alerted her son by mobile phone, who was also registered as a keyholder for the alarm system.

“My mother lives a short distance away so I was there in under10 minutes. She was in quite a bad way so I immediately called an ambulance,” said Selwyn.

“She will be in hospital for a while as the fall has left her black and blue and she is in a lot of pain, but she should make a full recovery. We get so many false alarms in this business, but for once, in a real emergency, it all went to plan, so I am thankful for that.”

Securi-Guard monitors the alarm systems of 150 customers of Selwyn’s firm, which he set up in 1995

Mary Campbell, Alarm Receiving Centre Manager at Securi-Guard Monitoring, said she was delighted that staff had responded so efficiently to the alarm call.

“Staff in the ARC are trained to the highest possible standard and it is always good to hear when an emergency like this has a happy ending,” said Mary.

“Everybody involved in the incident appreciated Selwyn’s note of thanks and we all hope his mother recovers swiftly from the fall.

Eight Gold awards puts Securi-Guard in very select company

Plymouth-based fire and security specialist Securi-Guard has landed an unprecedented eigth gold industry award for its guarding service.

The prestigious award by the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) means the company, whose HQ is in Estover, now has the most NSI Gold accreditations of any security firm for its wide-ranging fire and security work.

But additional gold awards for lone worker monitoring and now for guarding has put the firm in very select company within the security industry.

Securi-Guard’s guarding operation has been quality assured for the past ten years, but the gold award means it is now under the auspices of the NSI, in line with the company’s other services.

The company’s further seven gold awards are for:

• Lone worker monitoring
• ARC intruder alarm monitoring
• ARC fire alarm monitoring
• RVRC CCTV monitoring
• SOC Vehicle Tracking
• Fire alarm installation and maintenance
• Security system installation and maintenance, comprising intruder alarms, access control and CCTV

NSI accreditation means Securi-Guard meets criteria including highest performance standards and providing a high level of staff training and supervision to industry best practice standards.

Gold status means the company also meet specific Quality Management System standard and offer a high level of insurance specification and preferment.

Scott Boyd, Managing Director (Operations) said: “Yet again we secured another gold award for our services which proves that as a company we continue to go from strength to strength.

“As always, these kind achievements are down to the dedication and professionalism of the staff here at Securi-Guard and I cannot thank them enough for their efforts.”