LOCAL businesses are failing to take basic precautions to safeguard their properties when they are most vulnerable, that is when left empty overnight.

This finding is among the first results of a local crime study undertaken by C.UK Security Services, the largest security firm in the Peterborough region. The Greater Peterborough area continues to suffer from above national average burglaries (as stated by the National Policing Improvement Agency).

Burglars wantonly target both homes and businesses. With the police precariously overstretched, it can be considered somewhat fortunate for them to arrive when alarms go off.

This is why many companies and individuals choose to have private security firms keep a regular eye on their properties overnight through mobile patrols that visit more than once to check that everything is okay. Many companies also have their keys held by a security firm so that if an alarm goes off, then a seasoned security professional can investigate what could potentially be a serious problem, instead of jeopardising a company employee.

Interestingly, initial research by C.UK Security Services indicates that many companies are not taking the basic steps that would safeguard their premises overnight. Key-holding and mobile patrols are two such ways of allowing for peace of mind.
CEO Rog Hatlem was not surprised at these initial findings.

He said: “Although more research is needed, it appears that many companies are not aware of the possibility of key-holding or mobile patrols in the first place. Others may think that they are too expensive, but the reality is that the basic service is less than a few hundred pounds a year.

“We would thoroughly recommend that businesses invest in protecting themselves, especially with local burglary rates still above average.”

Another reason for not investing in key-holding and mobile patrols could be a lack of clarity as to what these services provide.

Andrew Knight, from Andronicas World of Coffee, a client of C.UK, put it quite succinctly when he said: “What we get for our investment is peace of mind, which is essential. We know that C.UK has a 24-hour communication centre, fully trained professional security officers, and mobile patrols around the local area that will respond within minutes of an alarm being activated. This means that our buildings are secure and we don’t have to rely on an overstretched police force”.

C.UK’s local crime survey will continue over the next month, and the full results will be published in the summer.

Published in the Peterborough Evening Telegraph on Tuesday 27th April 2010

Firm celebrating a year of growth

C.UK Security Services celebrated its first anniversary since its management buyout with staff, clients and local dignitaries at its Corporate Centre in Peterborough.

Chief executive Rog Hatlem welcomed the guests and said: “I am delighted that so many people could join in our celebration. The last year has definitely been one of change for us as we have bought in a new management team, rebranded the business and further developed our services. We have enjoyed a successful year having recently won a number of major contracts and are looking forward to continued growth.”

It was also a fitting occasion for Andrew Shepherd, chief executive of the Security Industry Authority (SIA), to present the Peterborough business with the SIA Accredited Contractor Scheme (ACS) certificate.

C.UK was recently rated in the top 10 per cent of all security companies under the SIA’s ACS Scheme. The scheme rates security companies against a list of criteria covering aspects such as operational excellence, communication centre procedures and marketing strategy. The aim is to identify the best performing firms across the entire security industry. 

On accepting the certificate, Rog said: “This achievement is testament to the hard work done to reinvigorate our company following our management buyout last year”.

Among the guests was Geoff Capes, the most capped British male athlete of all time, and longstanding supporter of C.UK. C.UK is excited to be a sponsor of British shot-putters aiming for the upcoming Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games.

Rog added: “This is just the beginning for us as we aim to become one of the leading UK providers of security services and we will do this by providing a good quality, reliable service based on unique relationships with our clients”.

28th July 2009
Peterborough Evening Telegraph

The advent of real time reporting has put Peterborough-based C.UK Security Services Ltd at the forefront of the industry.  A leading security provider in the transport industry, the company can offer its existing and prospective clients live time information based on unique technology that captures patrols as they happen. This means that the communication centre at C.UK can respond immediately to any issues on the ground.

The potential of the technology – aptly named Watchman Monitoring Services – is immediately evident to chief executive Rog Hatlem, who commented that "C.UK officers can now be reassured that our communication centre will know straight away their movements and that their health and safety is being taken seriously. Our clients can rest assured that the security reports they receive are based on live, guaranteed and 100 per cent auditable information."

He said: "Watchman Monitoring Services can also be adapted to benefit other companies outside of the security sector, such as those offering domiciliary care, whereby the Watchman Monitoring Services can monitor and record the movements of care workers as well as delivering specific messages to them during their patient visits."

Having acquired C.UK Security Services last year, Mr Hatlem has since brought into the business a new management team to rejuvenate the company's approach to its clients, staff and the market place.

He said: "By using the latest technology we will enhance the quality of our security to ensure that we provide our clients with a professional and reliable service."

The latest appointment to C.UK is commercial director Tanya Marrington, who has many years of experience in the security industry at board level.

She said: "I am really pleased to have joined C.UK at such an exciting time and will assist Rog and the management team in shaping the business for future growth."

"The introduction of Watchman Monitoring Services will establish for the first time the who, where and when of C.UK's operatives in real time, as well as transmitting and gathering data which can be used to provide guaranteed proof of service to our clients."

The software operates via a simple touch tag device which enables the guard to "log on" at predetermined locations and times. Watchman Monitoring Services will immediately flag up lack of pre-arranged contact with a warning on screen at C.UK's communication centre.

The tag is activated by the guard using a mobile phone fitted for NFC (Near Field Communication). If the contact is not made, the reason can then be investigated, this might be that the guard has been unavoidably delayed or another potentially more serious reason can be investigated and dealt with immediately.

Mr Hatlem explained: "A proportion of our clients are in the rail industry and security is a crucial issue for them. We need to know what's happening and when and, more importantly, be able to respond immediately should a patrol not be carried out. C.UK provides security to a very high standard and many of our officers are lone workers at night in potentially vulnerable situations, so health and safety is a big concern."

This new technology illustrates the pace of change in the security industry. It is no longer a question of simply providing a security guard for the client. C.UK's ethos is to look closely at the client's security issues and provide a smart solution that is commercially attractive.