Anti-Piracy & Armed Security Teams
Posted 26.2.2012
More UK ships 'have armed guards
A number of major UK shipping companies now carry armed teams to combat the threat of Somali pirates, a leading industry security spokesman says.
As can be seen from the BBC headline, it has been reported that more British vessels are transiting high risk sea lanes with armed security teams onboard. The UK government recently agreed that all British Flagged vessels would be legally able to contract the services of Armed Security Teams to protect themselves and their cargoes when travelling through potential Pirate "hotspots".
As most people are aware when the previous government came into power one of the first pieces of legislation passed was the immediate ban on handguns in the UK. So all though this government has seen fit to pass law allowing merchant vessels to protect themselves from Pirate Acts, where exactly are the anti-piracy teams going to maintain their fire-arms skills and practice the drills required to carryout the task of protecting UK shipping?
TRM have recently set-up shop in South Africa and have a dedicated range for the use of our anti-piracy and close protection teams. Part of our predeployment procedures includes weapons refresher training and "time down range" for each individual team member regardless of background and experience. The range is staffed by highly capable and skilled instructors from South Africa's Elite Police Special Task Force Unit.
It would seem ironic that British Maritime and Close Protection Security teams are obliged to maintain their skills at facilities far from home. I know we at TRM Global and our colleagues within the industry would appreciate a change in legislation to provide for this type of training and practice in the UK.
Anti-Piracy and West Africa
Posted 19.2.2012
Violence Against Shippers New Norm Off West Africa
Associated Press (02/14/12)
LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) – The waters off West Africa's coast are now a constant danger for those shipping goods and crude oil in the region, analysts said Tuesday, a day after pirates killed two sailors near Nigeria's coast.
See more details of the attack here
Anti-Piracy has become a growth industry in the last few years. The current thinking in the maritime industry is that not enough is being done and more systems and support needs to be arranged to protect flagged vessels from Pirates. Here at TRM we have had to expand our own portfolio due to the high demand for appropriately trained and vetted Anti-Piracy operators. We currently train our chaps in Anti-Piracy and Maritime Counter Terrorism Techniques at our training facility just outside Jo'burg in South Africa. What we have learnt from experience is that Pirates prefer a soft target and with the use of "dickers" in all the major ports have a good system of pre-attack selection surveillance and tracking.
It really is not just East and North Africa anymore, the risks have ALWAYS been the same regardless of which side of the continent you ship. Now, however, with more and more media interest, the risks of piracy are starting to get reported world-wide and more and more vessel owners are requesting the types of Anti-Piracy and Ship Security Services companies like TRM are supplying.
Homegrown Terrorism at London 2012
Posted 13.2.2012
With the U.K.'s Home Office having just issued a restricted counter-terrorism local profile (CTLP) to Waltham Forest, a borough of northeast London set to host a section of the Olympic Park and a visitor campsite for the games this summer. The demands for Close Protection and Asset Security have increased tenfold. According to the CTLP, the area faces "a high-level threat" from al-Qaida-inspired males between the ages of 20 and 38.
The report is the latest indication of many U.K. officials becoming concerned about the potential for a homegrown terrorist attack during the London games, particularly attacks by perpetrators acting alone because they can be more difficult to detect.
Asset Protection & Close Protection will be in very high demand in London this summer and we at TRM are ready for ever increasing demands for our services. We have set up a dedicated recruitment page on our website and have started scheduling rotations back to the UK for our Close Protection teams currently deployed overseas.
Close Protection & the Olympics 2012
Posted 06.2.2012
POLICE officers from Merseyside will be sent to London this summer to police the Olympics. (Liverpool Echo 26th January 2012)
No figure has yet been put on the number who will have to make the journey south from Merseyside but the Olympic operation will need general beat officers, specially-trained firearms teams, officers from the mounted (horses) and dog units, advanced motorcyclists and “close protection staff” (bodyguards).
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) which regulates the Private Security Industry within the UK has previously expressed concerns regarding Close Protection at the event. It is thought that prominent individuals and Families attending the 2012 London Olympics from overseas will be travelling with their own unlicensed Close Protection teams. The SIA have already declared that ALL visiting Close Protection teams contracted for the event will be subject to UK law relating to Licensing of the Private Security Industry. They have also declared that inspectors will be out in force during the events to ensure compliance with legislation.
Mike ONeil who heads up the Close Protection Sector of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has emphasised the importance of VIP's acting now to secure Close Protection services during the Olympics. He also states that ONLY licensed Protection teams will be allowed to work in the UK.
So who needs a licence?
According to the SIA website: -
“A Close Protection licence is required when guarding one or more individuals against assault or against injuries that might be suffered in consequence of the unlawful conduct of others. This applies if the services are supplied for the purposes of or in connection with any contract to a consumer”.
How do you qualify for the Licence?
You must have one of these qualifications or one of the previous licence-linked qualifications before you can apply for a front line close protection licence.
- Level 3 Certificate in Close Protection from Buckinghamshire New University
- Level 3 Certificate in Close Protection from City & Guilds
- Level 3 Certificate in Close Protection from Edexcel
- Level 3 Certificate in Close Protection from HABC
It is also a requirement to complete a Criminality check and hold a First Aid at Work qualification.
There are also a very few overseas qualifications that would be recognised, however the process to get licensed takes on average 3 months so the majority of overseas providers are likely to fall short of licensing requirements.
So what does this mean?
If an individual or Organisation brings an overseas unlicensed Close Protection Operative with them to the London 2012 Olympics they are likely to be prosecuted and heavily fined.
Think about and plan ahead of your visit, there are a large group of organisations within the UK that can provide fully qualified and licensed individuals to protect the prominent person and their family whilst visiting the Games. We as an Organisation have already started working with Companies and Individuals whom normally use their own domestic Security Companies for protection duties who have requested our services during the event.
As to how the usual provider feels about this… we have been provided with all the support and information we have asked for to ensure the safety and enjoyment of the protected parties. Early liaison and planning has helped considerably in ensuring that our customers (at least) do not fall foul to UK Legislation and that they are provided with UK Licensed Close Protection teams familiar with the London 2012 Olympics and the security issues that concern the event.
For further guidance or advice on SIA licensing please click on this link: -http://www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk/Pages/home.aspx
Alternatively contact one of the TRM team.
Oil Pipeline Security
Posted 06.2.2012
LONDON—Eni SpA on Sunday shut down some production in Nigeria's Niger Delta after a militant group claimed responsibility for a pipeline attack, adding to security challenges that a top politician in the country called intolerable. (Wall Street Journal 06/02/2012)
See article Link here
Oil and Gas Pipeline protection is one of the most difficult problems within Asset Protection. Most overland systems follow unpopulated and remote areas that provide ample opportunity for unhindered attack.
The majority of organisations use systems such as Acoustic Fibre Optic Intruder and Third Party Interface (TPI) detection, however without an integrated system and a dedicated regional Security response team, all the system can do is tell the consumer that their system has been compromised and/or destroyed.
TRM have found that an interlaced system that incorporates; remote cameras, Acoustic Fibre Optic Detectors, a dedicated propriety monitoring system, Mobile Protective Surveillance Patrols and a fully trained and centrally based Rapid Response Security Team; as the most effective method of Protecting the Pipeline from a variety of threats.
It would seem with ever increasing threats and higher demands for product the need for high levels of Asset Protection Services has never been higher.
Supply Chain Risks
Posted 02.2.2012
The BBC reported today that members of the Unite Union working for Hauliers Wincanton due to strike today at Teesside and North Lincolnshire have postponed the walkout for 24 hours. The last few years have seen the Global Supply Chain at risk from; Terrorism, industrial disputes, financial instability and political unrest.
Unfortunately 2012 seems no different to previous years. So in a world of uncertainty and ever failing financial markets how can we ensure the sustainability of today’s supply chain?
TRM Global believe the key principles to Risk reduction within the Supply chain are: -
1. Perform a supply chain vulnerability audit.
This should include a full assessment of the customer, the process and the materials within the chain
2. Do robust "that could happen" analysis.
Think about and consider all possible scenarios that may cause havoc within the chain and identify the measures needed to negate the threat.
3. Implement a strategic supply chain plan
Once you have realised the potential vulnerabilities and threats within the chain, its time to develop the plan. Reconsider inventory positioning, sourcing of raw materials, services, and transportation options to create a more flexible supply chain.
4. Compare the cost of stockpiling inventory against the risk of losing sales and customers
Think about what is your optimum inventory compared to a loss event being realised.
5. Make sure you have multiple transportation plans in place.
Without secondary and terciary options to transportation, the supply chain is vulnerable, consider the news above regarding Wincanton. How would you move materials and product if the Haulage Company was disrupted? Can the change be implemented in atimely and cost effective manner?
6. Update plans regularly.
Government legislation changes, political unrest, financial instability and other factors need to be identifed on a regular basis. Do the changes effect the currnet plan?
If you only think short term then you will only have short term gain. Think of the global and regional picture and consider your critical locations, customers, overall capabilities, raw materials, transportation and crisis response effectiveness.
The Global Supply Chain at Risk
The recent Global conference at Davos in Switzerland even agrees that the next major threat to world stability is the risks to the Global supply chain. US Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano has issued a new call for global co-operation on supply chain security.
Discussing the new National Strategy for Global Supply Chain Security at last week’s World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, she said the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was committed to protecting transport systems from attacks and disruptions, and increasing the resilience of global supply chains. “We must continue to strengthen global supply chains to ensure that they operate effectively in time of crisis, recover quickly from disruptions and facilitate international trade,” she said. “We look forward to working closely with our international partners in the public and private sector to build a more resilient global supply chain.”
To see the full report on Global risks for 2012 see our downloads page.
Season's greetings from the TRM team
Posted 19.12.2011
Wishing you a peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year from the TRM HQ team.
