SPS Security is first in region to obtain Approved Contractor Status for CCTV monitoring
A leading provider of security services is the region's first private sector organisation to be awarded Approved Contractor Status (ACS) for the pro-active operation of Public Space Surveillance CCTV equipment.
SPS Security Limited – part of SPS Group FM, a large regional facilities management organisation – is delighted to have been awarded the Public Space Surveillance CCTV Accreditation by the Security Industry Authority (SIA).
The company – which is based in Neptune Street, city centre, employs more than 450 officers who are deployed to educational, commercial and retail sites throughout the north of England – underwent rigorous assessment before receiving the prestigious accreditation.
The average citizen in the UK is caught on CCTV cameras 300 times a day and, although many companies have a licence to record this footage, it cannot be viewed by organisations which don't also hold a Public Space Surveillance CCTV Accreditation.
"Attaining this accreditation will help achieve greater flexibility and improve operational costs and is part of SPS Security's on-going development," said David Barratt, SPS Group FM's divisional director. "We are pleased to be the first company in the region to be awarded the ACS (CCTV) accreditation."
This achievement comes just ten months after SPS Security was awarded SIA's Approved Contractor Status for Security Guarding, which means all of its officers hold a statutory SIA approved licence or licence dispensation notice (LDN).
Mr Barratt added: "It's a great achievement to be awarded the ACS Security Guarding and CCTV accreditations within 10 months of each other – the SIA sets very high standards and I am delighted that SPS Security's level of performance has been recognised with these awards.
"We continue to utilise our dedicated training centre on the Hull Marina for the ongoing training of our officers for Security Guarding and CCTV licences, together with a range of other security courses designed to lead to recognised professional qualifications within the industry.
"These training facilities have proven beneficial, not only to our existing clients but also for other local businesses that have benefited from additional bespoke training courses."
The Public Space Surveillance (CCTV) licence came into force for CCTV operators in March 2006 and is required when officers employed by security companies are pro-actively monitoring the activities of members of the public, whether they are in public areas or on private property.
The licence is also mandatory when cameras are used to focus in on the activities of particular people either by controlling or directing cameras at an individual's activities.
Photograph: David Barratt, SPS Group FM's divisional director, in SPS Security's recently refurbished control room
Press contact: For more information, please contact TAS Communications on (01482) 867867
