Merseyside crackdown on rogue security firms
Merseyside Police is cracking down on rogue security firms and has declared total war on those companies which are intimidating and pressurising legitimate security firms in a bid to take over lucrative contracts throughout Liverpool.
Merseyside Police is cracking down on rogue security firms and has declared total war on those companies which are intimidating and pressurising legitimate security firms in a bid to take over lucrative contracts throughout Liverpool.
Over the last 18 months, problems with rogue companies vying for business have escalated and the focus of their attention has turned to the security firms who supply a service to construction companies working in the city.
Now Merseyside Police has put together a comprehensive plan to drive out those criminals who are taking business away from legitimate and deserving companies. Officers will be working alongside representatives of the Council, Health and Safety Executive, Department of Trade and Industry, Inland Revenue, Immigration, Merseyside Pathfinder and construction companies to weaken the influence of rogue companies.
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is backing the scheme and is working with officers to ensure that security guards who are employed on Merseyside have SIA accreditation.
Assistant Chief Constable Pat Gallan said: Warning letters have already been sent out to security companies warning them that all security firms on Merseyside will need to be SIA approved contractors. They have been given a short period to get their house in order and get their staff licensed under SIA regulations. Those security firms which fail to comply will be attacked from all angles.
“Officers from the specialist Matrix team and area officers will be carrying out high visibility disruption policing around security sites and Merseyside Police will respond appropriately to any acts of intimidation.
“At this moment in time, Liverpool is continuing to benefit from a wealth of investment into the area and Merseyside Police cannot stand by and watch rogue security firms benefit financially from the city`s regeneration.
Lucia Howland, SIA head of investigation for the northern region, added: We all have an interest in helping protect the public by raising standards in the private security industry and driving out criminality.