SPS Security celebrates 500th guard to pass through its Hull-based training centre

East Yorkshire's leading security company is celebrating after the 500th security officer has qualified at its dedicated Hull training centre, which opened a year ago.

The company – which trains security officers for both its own customers and other local companies – is delighted to have reached this milestone, only a year after its Hull Marina training centre was launched.

SPS Security Limited – part of the SPS Group, a pioneering city centre facilities management organisation – employs more than 450 guards which are deployed to educational, commercial and retail sites throughout the north of England.

Keith Godman, 63, is the 500th officer to qualify at the training centre. Mr Godman already had his Cash in Transit licence before coming to SPS to qualify as a front line officer and work at one of the company's sites. He said: "I thought that the training at SPS was very professional and I'm looking forward to working for SPS Security as an officer."

It comes on the back of SPS Security being awarded the prestigious Security Industry Authority's Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS), SPS Security is one of only two companies in the region to have achieved this status, which means all of its guards hold a statutory SIA approved licence or licensed dispensation notice (LDN).

The company, which was established in 1995, provides specialist personnel for everything from site security officers and keyholding and patrol services to commissionaires and CCTV monitoring.

Tony Beharrell, SPS Group's chairman, said: "This year marks a significant time in SPS Security's history. The launch of our bespoke training centre was hugely successful and it is fantastic news that 500 officers have passed through the doors within the first year of operation.

"We were also delighted to achieve the SIA Approved Contractor accreditation earlier this year, which is considered to be an achievement in itself with very few companies being awarded this level of recognition. The objective of the scheme is to raise performance standards in the security industry, by providing a benchmark for suppliers of contracted security services – we welcome the benefits that this brings to contractors, employees and customers alike.

"We believe that our commitment to training is the cornerstone of SPS Security's success. The company is now recognised as a leading trainer in the industry and we are proud to deploy the most highly-skilled guards into security services roles."

SPS Security is part of the SPS Group, which encompasses services for contract and specialist cleaning, recruitment and training, as well as being a supplier of washroom services and janitorial products. The group has a collective turnover of in excess of £12m and employs 1200 people.

Photograph: Keith Godman is pictured (front) with (behind from left) Tony Beharrell, Lee Stephenson and John Beharrell, all of SPS.

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