Employers have an important role to play as part of the overall response to domestic abuse. They have a responsibility towards their employees and are often in a unique position to provide both a place of safety and a wide range of support to those facing domestic abuse, including those who want to escape from an abusive relationship.

Across the UK, one in four women and one in six to seven men are likely to experience domestic abuse in their lifetime.  Domestic abuse is an insidious, largely hidden crime, which impacts children, families, and the wider community. It extends beyond physical violence and includes sexual abuse, violent and threatening behaviour, controlling or coercive behaviour, economic abuse and psychological or emotional abuse. Anyone can be a victim of domestic abuse, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, economic status or background.

For too long domestic abuse was perceived to be a private matter that happened behind closed doors. We have moved a long way since then in recognising that we all have a part to play in calling it out and supporting those who are affected. However, recent events have exacerbated the issue, with calls to domestic abuse helplines increasing by over 60% since the first Covid national lockdown and the current cost of living crisis adding further stress to the lives of many.

EIDA was set up in 2018 to support employers across the UK to tackle domestic abuse. Since that time, we have grown to a network of over 1,250 employers, who collectively employ at least 25% of the UK’s workforce. We focus on four key activities:

• Raising awareness about domestic abuse amongst employers, inspiring and supporting them to tackle domestic abuse.
• Providing the tools an employer needs to take effective action (including a template domestic abuse policy, guidance and case studies).
• Sharing ideas so that employers can learn from each other, including through resources and events.
• Working with government, domestic abuse sector partners and academics to provide the latest guidance and to champion change.

Employers are asked to agree to EIDA’s membership charter which has five commitments:

• To raise awareness among their employees of the many forms domestic abuse can take.
• To foster a safe, supportive and open environment to allow domestic abuse to be effectively tackled in their workplace.
• To support employees who are affected by domestic abuse and those that report it by providing access to information and services.
• To provide education and support to help perpetrators of domestic abuse to stop.
• To share best practice with other employers.

Why should employers have policies and procedures to support those experiencing domestic abuse?

There is an obvious moral case for supporting those experiencing domestic abuse. There is also a strong business case. The cost to the economy is considerable, with an estimated £14 billion arising from time off work and reduced productivity. Domestic abuse can have an adverse impact on morale within the workplace, as well as on an organisation’s reputation. Domestic abuse can extend into the workplace, through abusive calls and messages to the victim or their colleagues.  Equally, the workplace can be a place of safety and support. Research commissioned by the Vodafone Foundation in 2019 found that 86% of companies believe they have a duty of care towards victims of domestic abuse but that at that time, only 5% had introduced a policy or guidance about domestic abuse.

Examples of practical support provided by employers

Having a domestic abuse policy sends a clear message that domestic abuse is not tolerated, and that the employer will provide support to their employees. It can be very difficult for people to seek support given the stigma that still surrounds domestic abuse. Whilst many employers who do not have a policy can and do provide support, having a domestic policy removes a barrier to seeking that help.

There is no one-size-fits-all in terms of the support needed 

However, here are some of the practical ways in which EIDA members support their people:

• Agree a safe and confidential method of communication with the employee.
• Provide a quiet area where the employee can make calls or meet with those supporting them.
• Allow the employee to move to a different office or location to work, especially if they are in customer-facing roles.
• Provide flexible working hours or paid time off so the employee can attend meetings with schools, social workers or court hearings.
• Change an employee’s work number if they are being harassed.
• Ensure the employee does not work alone or in isolated areas.
• With consent from the employee, alert reception and security staff and create a plan of action should the perpetrator be seen on the premises.
• Provide support where an employee decides to leave an abusive situation: some EIDA members provide free accommodation for a short period, an advance on salary for those facing economic abuse or even non-repayable financial support.
• Signpost employees to providers of specialist domestic abuse services, including refuges.

Domestic abuse is all our business…

Please join EIDA’s network of employers and work with us to change and save the lives of people in your workplace affected by domestic abuse. Membership of EIDA is free from: www.eida.org.uk/membership

Susan Bright

CEO of the Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse (EIDA)

The post Domestic abuse is all our business: How employers can support their staff appeared first on City Security Magazine.

The amount of money stolen through card ID theft almost doubled last year compared with 2021, reaching a total of £51.7 million. Here we learn how the UK Finance’s Take Five to Stop Fraud Campaign is tackling this crime.

What is card ID theft?

Card ID theft occurs when a criminal uses a fraudulently obtained bank card or card details, along with stolen personal information, to open or take over a card account held in someone else’s name. There were more than 82,000 cases last year: the highest ever recorded for this type of fraud. There are two categories of card ID theft: third-party application fraud and account takeover fraud.

With third-party application fraud, a criminal will use stolen or fake documents to open a card account in someone else’s name. In an account takeover fraud, a criminal takes over another person’s genuine card account.

Stealing personal information

Information is a valuable commodity for criminals. Criminals need to compromise significant amounts of customers’ personal information to commit both types of card ID theft. They do this using methods such as phishing emails and scam texts to trick people into divulging their data. Criminals will also try to steal mail from external mailboxes and multi-occupancy buildings, hoping to find personal and financial information in letters and other correspondence. This is alongside other forms of data loss, such as via data hacks.

Armed with this stolen information, the criminal then tries to target a customer’s existing accounts or apply for credit cards by impersonating the victim.

Fraudsters’ focussed efforts on stealing such information is believed to be behind the increase in card ID theft over the last year.

Tackling card ID theft

The banking and finance sector is at the forefront of efforts to tackle fraud, including card ID theft, and protect customers. The sector spends billions on detection and prevention and works closely with government and law enforcement to disrupt this criminal activity and bring fraudsters to justice.

Helping everyone spot the signs of a scam and protect themselves from financial fraud is also vital and UK Finance’s Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign offers straightforward and impartial advice.

Take Five to avoid card ID theft

To stay safe from card ID theft, Take Five advises people to:

Use a redirection service when moving to a new home, such as the one provided by the Royal Mail, as well as informing your bank, card company and other organisations you have accounts with your new address.

Be careful if other people have access to your post. Contact Royal Mail if you think your post is being stolen.

Destroy unwanted documents including bills, bank statements or post that’s in your name, preferably by using a shredder.

Request copies of your personal credit report from a credit reference agency on a regular basis to check for any entries you don’t recognise.

Provide as little personal information about yourself on social media as possible and only accept invitations from people you know.

You can apply to be on the Cifas Protective Registration Service for a fee, which places a flag next to your name and personal details in their secure National Fraud Database. Companies and organisations who have signed up as members of the database can see you’re at risk and take extra steps to protect you, preventing criminals from using your details to apply for products or services.

Cancel any lost or stolen credit or debit cards immediately

Keep your personal information secure when using your card over the phone, on the internet, or in shops by ensuring that others can’t overhear you or see your information.

If your passport, driving licence, cards or other personal information have been lost or stolen, immediately contact the organisation that issued it.

Always remember that criminals are experts at impersonating people, organisations and the police. They spend hours researching you for their scams, hoping you’ll let your guard down for just a moment. Stop and think. It could protect you and your money.

For more information on how to stay safe from fraud and scams visit the Take Five to Stop Fraud website.

www.takefive-stopfraud.org.uk

The post Take Five to prevent Card ID theft appeared first on City Security Magazine.

How can security providers support efforts to reduce violence and keep people safe? Here is a personal view from Judy Atkinson and proposals for a multi-faceted, phased strategy.

Shocking statistics

At the recent Violence Against Women and Girls seminar held by the City of London Crime Prevention Association, these worrying statistics were shared:

• 60% of adults have been harassed on the street.
• One in six women have experienced unwanted sexual behaviour on public transport.
• One in four women experience domestic abuse.
• Two women a week are killed by a partner.

These incidents do not just happen in the night-time economy, which has been the main focus thus far, and they don’t occur just in cities and towns.

The recent news about the Metropolitan Police and other institutions sadly means that some members of the community have less trust in the police. These statistics and events show there is a real issue. How can the security providers assist?

Getting personal

I have been in the security industry for nearly 20 years – in industry I never thought I would go into. However, one of the huge benefits is that my teams and I can make a difference to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. We are not alone and I believe if all security providers worked together utilising some of the following strategies, then we can make a difference.

This has now become personal, as I am quite sure it will be to many of you reading this.

I live in Wiltshire but my 21-year-old daughter has moved to London. She loves London, but she hates the number of incidents that happen to her almost on a monthly basis.

She has been alone in a tube with a man who tried to assault her, she has been threatened with being killed and she has been followed – several times.

So, how do we as private security professionals make this better?

I truly believe that all security providers can play a significant role in reducing violence and keeping people safe with their own approach and bringing other organisations together. I propose a multi-faceted, phased strategy to developing and building the approach to keep people safe and prevent crime.

Step 1 – A diverse workforce in security

The private security industry provides representatives in many public places, normally in a uniform, who can provide help. From concierges to retail security staff to door supervisors and BID Wardens. However, in the main, they are predominately male and sometimes do not have the look or feel of being approachable.

As humans we like to seek out our own. It is a natural state. Therefore, we have launched Lodge CREATE – to make the security industry as diverse as possible. To raise the statistic of only 11% of women in the industry to a higher figure; to ensure the industry employs transgender and non-binary people; to ensure there is someone for everyone to be able to approach. When in trouble you want to go to someone who is approachable. We want our diverse workforce to be working in designated Safe Havens, we want them to be trained correctly to be able to assist. To make our security industry more diverse, the entire industry must do this. To make our imagery more diverse and appealing. To look at the way job adverts are written – to make them more inclusive. To talk to colleges and schools to show that security can be a multi-faceted career with different opportunities. On top of this, once new entrants start, to ensure they have mentors and a support network and that our company is totally inclusive, otherwise you will lose them.

Step 2 – A culture that understands training

We have to be brave and strong and stand up and report unacceptable behaviour. It is all about cause and effect. From a security delivery perspective, we must train our staff to be able to address this with those who demonstrate unacceptable behaviours, whilst remaining safe.

Are we ready as organisations, though, in ensuring our security teams are able to do this? Do we need to look at our internal policies and training? Have we adapted our training delivery to be able to deal with these issues? There are new-style trainers out there and we have to change the way we retrain, develop and grow. There are new innovative, accredited and specific training courses being delivered now that allow our staff to be able work effectively and handle difficult situations.

Step 3 – Report, Report, Report

Every security company has a reporting system. It is irrelevant which one, the important thing is how the information is used. There is a multitude of Business Crime Reduction Partnerships (BCRPs) working across the UK. They are there to create safe environments through effective information sharing and have successful relationships with police forces, local authorities and other stakeholders, and they tackle crime at a local level; therefore, sharing all the intelligence and incidents we have with them is critical. It builds a picture and evidence to ensure arrests are made.

Where areas have a Business Improvement District (BID) in place, retailers and companies are now asking that as part of their levy payment, the BID provides security. That security is also an important element in reporting. The security officers are patrolling the local area and their reports join those reported from inside the building. This all adds up to a total picture and, in turn, can help support a reduction in crime.

That person who is violent, and not just aggressive in one particular shop or bar, and this behaviour is continual; reporting this and collaborating is vital, and as evidence is required to ensure action is taken.

Step 4 – Strong and effective campaigns

Many years ago, smoking a cigarette was totally acceptable. You would light up on a train or bus,  or even smoke all the way to Ibiza! If someone lit up a cigarette now, at their desk as an example, it would be totally abhorrent. In fact, it just would not happen. This change was effected by, of course, the change in law, but in the main by repeated messaging. The same can be applied to anti-social, aggressive and violent behaviour, so that it becomes so intolerable

The same was applied to drink driving and wearing a seat belt. Of course, there will always be an element of society that will break the rules but the majority will adhere. Importantly, more and more people will report it, if someone gets into a car drunk. They know what could happen if they did not.

We require consistent and powerful marketing campaigns to share messaging around unacceptable and anti-social behaviour and violent crime. One could argue this is the government’s responsibility. As providers of a service, we can also effect change; we too, as security companies, can put out this messaging – that anti-social, aggressive behaviour is unacceptable and will be dealt with and reported. Eventually, by joining forces in this joint messaging, they have nowhere to hide.

Step 5 – Apps and technology in support

What can we do now to protect ourselves and our staff?

There are many safety and crime reporting apps available. Imabi is a unified technology platform that aims to tackle harmful and unacceptable behaviours. This can be tailored and customised and is behind a number of safety products, including the BTP Railway Guardian app and other applications for schools, businesses and a soon-to-be released community version.

An alternative being used by Bradford BID is WalkSafe. WalkSafe has identified the need for digital solutions that help make people feel safe and secure. Their mission is to bring the world’s safety and security data into accessible apps and platforms giving users ‘safety at their fingertips’.

What is relevant on a good app is real police crime data pulled regularly from the police database. The app should be able to toggle on and off the crime data, and display safe spaces, live angel beacons, trained premises and community data. It should actively encourage users to report if there has been a lack of street lights, if somewhere feels unsafe or if rowdy groups are nearby. The user should believe that inputting data into the map enables other users to avoid these hot spots and creates a culture of prevention and community. The apps should take the data collected (for example, continuous lack of lighting in certain roads) to local authorities to improve residents’ local neighborhoods, as well as displaying safe havens and crisis centres.

This reporting will hopefully also encourage venues to improve and work towards better safety outcomes for both employees and customers.

The crucial element of any safety app is what happens when you hit that SOS button. Most allow you to enter a list of contacts and will alert them when you require help. However, an additional feature is where it is monitored by a 24/7 Control Room which can speak to the person to ascertain what help is needed or just keep talking to them. They can deploy a security mobile patrol car. Companies are taking this option up, so that they know their staff can get a response if required.

For security companies which have their own mobile cars or work with a network, the more cars able to respond, the better the chances are that help will be there swiftly. It is that peace of mind that someone can be with you when required. It is also a deterrent to any would-be attacker, that now responses are swift.

In conclusion

I believe this all begins with effective education from early years on what constitutes unacceptable behaviour. In support we need diverse and proactive security delivery, constant media messaging to show this behaviour is unacceptable, with technology and constant and consistent reporting. This means we as an industry will be doing something that will effect change.

Judy Atkinson

Group Sales Director

Lodge Service

The post How security providers can step up to support personal safety appeared first on City Security Magazine.

An impressive line-up of speakers and attendees was brought together by the City of London Crime Prevention Association in February 2023 at the Livery Hall, Guildhall in the City of London to address crimes of violence against women and girls (VAWG) and domestic abuse (DA).

During a packed two hours, the objectives were to create a greater understanding and promote awareness with an emphasis on taking action. As chair, Don Randall MBE CSyP shared motivation for organising the event as the startling increase in rape offences and a disturbing revelation by a colleague that she had experienced three separate incidents: sexual assault, harassment and drink spiking.

Shared Views

It is clear that there is a consensus on many aspects of these insidious problems. In her welcoming speech, Angela McLaren, Commissioner, City of London Police, said: “Violence against women and girls is deep rooted and complex. The police cannot deal with this alone; we work best in partnership with the public, private and third sector.”

Lucy D’Orsi, Chief Constable, British Transport Police, added: “This affects us all and cannot be ignored. We all have a role to play.”

There were frequent references to these crimes representing a societal problem. Lucy D’Orsi said: “There is a culture around violence; we need to make a culture that is inclusive, respectful and safe.” Anthea Sully, White Ribbon UK, added: “These crimes can be prevented, we need to hold onto that. We want women to live free from violence.” She outlined some of the cultural changes that White Ribbon support: “We need to engage with men and boys as allies.” She added: “We know it is a continuum of violence, we need to get involved with low-level behaviour, men need to be empowered to call things out.”

Shocking Statistics

The speakers shared the related statistics and Lucy D’Orsi commented: “The statistics are alarming. One in six women have experienced unwanted sexual behaviour on public transport. One in four women experience domestic abuse.” Susan Bright from EIDA highlighted that two women a week are killed by a partner.

T/Det Chief Supt Matt Pilch from the Metropolitan Police Domestic Abuse Unit added: “In the last 12 months, there have been 150,000 reports of domestic abuse incidents, 96,000 domestic abuse crimes reported and 67,000 suspects.”

Insights from Survivors

Shital V, founder of FREE2BYou Foundation shared some of her lived experience of domestic abuse. She described how it is about power and control and how some men feel entitled to entirely control the women in their lives, isolating them, making them subordinate and destroying their self-belief.

Domestic abuse can also impact men. Paul, a victim and survivor, shared his story. He endured a long journey of abusive, controlling behaviour. He eventually managed to survive this experience with much involvement and support from police, social services, his employer and charities.

Difficult time for policing

The police representatives spoke with candour about recent tragic and shocking crimes involving police officers. Angela McLaren said: “Trust and confidence is low.”  Lucy D’Orsi added: “The abhorrent behaviour of some police officers is sickening.” Inspector Stephanie Williamson from the College of Policing spoke of 2021 as the watershed moment for policing legitimacy. Matt Pilch said: “Professionally and personally, I am embarrassed having these colleagues. It is going to take a long time to recover confidence in us.”

Insights into current initiatives

The speakers provided useful insights about initiatives currently taking place:

New Policing Framework for Delivery

Lucy D’Orsi explained how December 2021 brought a new national framework for delivery for policing violence against women and girls. In a fundamental shift, VAWG is now a national strategic priority. It will be treated with the same commitment and determined action as counter terrorism.

Stephanie Williamson spoke about the VAWG taskforce. Their goal is to drive consistency in police forces across the country, promoting best practice and building related policies and performance frameworks. A key part of this is rebuilding confidence and trust, a relentless pursuit of perpetrators and creating safer spaces for women and girls.

BTP Initiatives

Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Furnell spoke about a pilot with TFL – banning predatory people from the rail network – toolkits and training. He also highlighted the BTP media campaigns and how their purposefully provocative approach is helping to encourage bystander intervention on staring, cat calling and sexual harassment.

The imabi Platform

Mark Balaam introduced imabi – the unified technology platform that aims to tackle harmful and unacceptable behaviours. This unified platform can be tailored and customised and is behind a number of safety products including the BTP Railway Guardian app and other applications for schools, businesses and a soon-to-be released community version.

Training

Providing training was a key theme for many of the speakers. Bethany Nash of Safer Business Network introduced Wave training. This staff-based training provides intervention guidance on difficult situations and more than 10,000 people have already been trained. They are offering free events, face-to-face and online training, and are also looking to make this available as an e-learning package.

Anthea Sully, White Ribbon UK, also emphasised the importance of training. They are working with the Suzy Lamplugh Trust on bystander training – gentle ways to effect change. White Ribbon also transforms workplaces with briefings and training, providing: “powerful awareness raising and encouragement to unite to end violence”.

Safe Havens

Safe Havens is a scheme that aims to make the most of the many buildings around our cities. Paul Dickenson said: “We wanted to use the already existing infrastructure, with the existing 24/7 workforce, to provide a short-term refuge for someone to keep safe.” Working with Croma Security Solutions, they are developing the Safe Haven app.

Operation Reframe, City of London Police

Inspector Caroline Hay and Chief Inspector Sarah Dobinson provided an insight into Operation Reframe, a high-visibility partnership in the City of London with the aim of making the City safer. This includes a welfare tent at Liverpool Street station staffed by the Samaritans with partners St Johns Ambulance and the SIA. They are constantly evolving their measures, including tackling drink spiking, bystander and Ask Angela training.

Security Partnerships

David Ward CSyP from the City Security Council (CSC) described how they can offer part of the solution: “The CSC reach is impressive so we can educate security officers about VAWG. We can help identify safe havens – make these places identifiable, properly equipped, and train staff.”

Chris Smith CSyP from the Security Institute explained how this membership organisation for those working in security can help influence and work in partnership. They host seminars and webinars bringing together senior influencers, police and security organisations.

What can I do?

Each speaker highlighted what individuals and organisations can do to support efforts to tackle VAWG and DA:

Download the BTP Railway Guardian App

DCS Furnell from the BTP encourages everyone to download their Railway Guardian App (available for iPhones and Android). This enables you to report crimes and concerns and be an active bystander.

Text 61016 to report a crime on the rail network

DCS Furnell also reminded everyone that you can text 61016 to report any crime on the railway network. Use this number if concerned about your or someone else’s safety.

Make the White Ribbon promise

Anthea Sully, White Ribbon UK, asks everyone to make the White Ribbon promise:

I promise never to commit, excuse or remain silent about men’s violence against women.

Join the Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse – EIDA

Susan Bright, CEO of EIDA, explained how EIDA brings together experience and expertise so all business can support their staff. EIDA provides tools and resources, including a template domestic abuse policy, helps businesses to share best practice and works with government and other partners to ensure employers are equipped to support people enduring or recovering from domestic abuse and to address the negative behaviours of perpetrators. You can join for free here: EIDA.org.UK

Sign up to the Mayor of London’s Women’s Night Safety Charter

Sarah Walker from Safer Business Network explained that any organisation that operates at night can nominate a champion to share guidance with staff and customers; spread the word via social media and newsletters; provide ways of getting help and advice; give training. Sign up to the charter here: London.gov.uk/womensnightsafety

Attend Wave training events

Safer Business Network is putting on a host of free WAVE (welfare and vulnerability engagement) training sessions which cover Ask for Angela. Open to hospitality staff, front-line workers, volunteers, security staff etc. These are live on Eventbrite and are offered on a first come, first serve basis – you can find out more here: www.saferbusiness.org.uk/training-briefings-wave

Working Together in Partnership to Make a Difference

Valeria Cadena, Community Safer Manager from the City of London Corporation concluded with how positive it was to hear from so many people – working together in partnership. She said: “We can support each other with our complementary strength skills and expertise.”

Lucy D’Orsi said: “UK companies can make a difference – can effect real change. We have seen the impact on Counter Terrorism: the level of collaboration was exceptional. Our community can create a hostile environment for CT, so we can do this for VAWG.”

Don Randall thanked all the speakers, attendees and sponsors Unitrust, QCIC and City of London Corporation for hosting the event. All speakers will make up the core committee of the team that will take the results of this useful and valuable meeting forward.

Andrea Berkoff

Editor, City Security magazine

The post Awareness event on Violence Against Women and Girls and Domestic Abuse appeared first on City Security Magazine.

Vivian Gravenberch from the Dutch Institute of Safe and Secure Spaces explains their use of the renowned Routine Activity Theory in the protection of their public places.

Two wise men called Marcus Felson and Lawrence Cohen once wrote (in Social Change and Crime Rate Trends: A Routine Activity Approach) that the opportunity for crime occurs when there are three elements in place. This helicopter view theory explains how any offender can be motivated to commit a crime. At the Dutch Institute of Safe and Secure Spaces (DISSS), we try to help local authorities, municipalities and other important stakeholders to grasp these kinds of helicopter view theories regarding the protection of public spaces in an understandable manner, that can be translated to their daily work.

The likely offender

The first element of the so-called Routine Activity Theory is that of a likely offender, who can become a motivated offender when the other two elements are in place: a suitable target and the absence of a capable guardian. Their theory states that anyone could become a motivated offender, when the opportunity to commit a crime emerges.

To give an example, if a person (a likely offender) walks by an opened car window without any cameras or people around (absence of a capable guardian) and sees an envelope with a large amount of cash (a suitable target), the chances are high that this person will steal the envelope. Of the three elements that are present within the opportunity of crime, we can at least influence two: the suitable target and the (absence of a) capable guardian. By influencing these two elements, chances are high that we can also influence the third and most important element: the likely offender. By taking away the opportunity, the likely offender will not become a motivated offender.

Identifying the suitable target

The suitability of a target depends on its a) Value (for instance, if one plans a symbolic attack), b) Inertia (weight, height, can I carry it?), c) Visibility (is it exposed enough to invoke a crime?) and d) Access (a filled envelope within reach). Together, these create the easy- to-remember acronym VIVA.

Identifying a suitable target can be done in many different ways, using different types of methods and standards, but the most commonly used standards are the ISO Guidelines for Risk Management and the EU Vulnerability Assessment Tool. They provide the framework, lay out the principles and explain the process of risk management. At DISSS we also help local authorities, municipalities and other important stakeholders to grasp these types of standards and tools to identify suitable targets, regarding the protection of public spaces by training them and organising workshops about vulnerability and risk assessments. The ISO guidelines give an overview of how to manage risks in general. The process explains how one can tackle the risks (or crimes) to public space using four steps.

Step 1: What are the risks? Which types of crimes could occur? What types of likely offenders can we come across? By using crime icon stickers, local authorities and municipalities throughout Europe together identify the risks by using the interactive and innovative methods of the Secu4All project – this provides training for local authorities to provide citizens with a safe urban environment by reducing the risks in public spaces

Step 2: The earlier mentioned EU Vulnerability Assessment Tool (VAT) (DG HOME, 2019), the main objective of which is to provide practical support to member states to enhance the protection of public spaces by providing an on-site tool to scan the gaps in the security of any public space, helps with the identification and analysis of risks. Manuals to use the EU VAT have been provided by our PRoTECT project: Protection of public spaces: Manual for EU. (https://protect-cities.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/PRoTECT_D4.4_Final_v3.00.pdf) and specifically for places of worship, within the ProSPeReS Manual for Vulnerability Assessment.

Step 3: Evaluating the risks means nothing more than to evaluate if the risks are low, medium or high. If the risks are low, the choice can be to leave the situation the way it is. If the risks are high, it is always highly recommended to start the next and final step within the risk assessment process.

Step 4: If the risks are high, they need to be treated. Treating the risks also creates the presence of a capable guardian.

Creating the capable guardian

Creating the capable guardian can be done before, during or after the risks take place. Creating a capable guardian works best in a preventative manner.

For instance, using guidelines from the  Crime Prevention through Environmental Design Association (CPTED)  or using social or technological innovations to prevent crime, such as street coaches combined with smart sensors and CCTV. At DISSS we also help local authorities and municipalities to help search and create capable guardians in the protection of their public space.

The use of sensors could help to create a capable guardian within the protection of public space. A sensor can be seen as the eyes and ears of the public space. The controller can be seen as the brain that receives the signals from the sensors and translates them to an action that in turn will be sent to the actuator; if this occurs, then that should happen. All of these parts together can be viewed as the brain of a capable guardian that protects public space; a form of artificial intelligence.

Vivian Gravenberch

Director

Dutch Institute for Safe & Secure Spaces (DISSS)

www.disss.eu

For more articles on crime prevention, see our categories Security Management and Counter Terrorism.

The post Routine Activity Theory: how to protect public places appeared first on City Security Magazine.

While lockdown was necessary to help kerb the spread of Coronavirus, it also led to the ‘inevitable rise’ in domestic abuse, according to the police, with reported cases of domestic abuse rising by 10% during 2020.

A Panorama programme, first screened in August 2020, revealed that there was one domestic abuse call every 30 seconds in the first seven weeks of lockdown. Furthermore, domestic abuse is often a hidden crime that is not reported, so it is likely that actual levels were much, much higher.

Certainly Refuge, the country’s largest single provider of specialist domestic abuse services, and sole provider of the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, saw a huge spike in demand for its services during lockdown.

During the initial stages of the COVID-19 crisis (between March and May 2020), it reported around 50% increase in demand to its Helpline, and a 300%+ increase in visits to its National Domestic Abuse Helpline website.

Nor is domestic abuse confined to the UK. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries reported an increase in domestic violence and intimate partner violence.

Noting a “horrifying global surge” in domestic abuse, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, called for a domestic violence “ceasefire”.

UN Women also stated that COVID-19 created “conditions for abuse that are ideal for abusers because it forced people into lockdown”, thus causing a “shadow pandemic” that exacerbated pre-existing issues with domestic violence globally.

So, what can be done to tackle the problem? One organisation that has been set up to reduce the level of aggression in society generally is T.A.G (Taming Aggression Group). Headed by Sir Keith Povey QPM, former Chief Inspector of Her Majesty’s Constabulary, its first initiative was working with South Yorkshire Police to reduce domestic abuse.

A technical think tank, T.A.G aims to investigate how new technologies can best be used to deter instances of violence and criminal disorder in society. One area that T.A.G explored is how SmartWater® – a traceable liquid and forensic asset marking system – could be used to tackle domestic violence.

SmartWater is a liquid taggant that can be sprayed onto an assailant and, with millions of individual formulae available, can help the police build a strong evidence case against them. It is only visible under an ultraviolet light and can stay on the skin for weeks with SmartWater scientists only requiring a speck of the solution to be able to forensically determine where it has come from.

The trial funded by the South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit and implemented by the South Yorkshire Police and its partners has proven successful.

The initiative involves three stages: Firstly, the level of protection required is assessed. There are a range of forensic tagging techniques that can be used. Next, the needs and wishes of the potential victim and family to create a safe space are established. Lastly, the police speak to the perpetrator and warn them that a range of forensic tagging methods are in place.

Initial results are promising, reducing the number of repeat incidents of domestic abuse by 69%. In addition to reducing the number of victims of the crime, a survey by South Yorkshire Police shows that 86% of domestic abuse victims now feel safer, while 78% have reported that the initiative has had a positive impact on them.

“These results provide reassurance that we are not only prioritising domestic abuse, but we are making big steps to reduce re-offending and keeping victims safe,” says Detective Chief Inspector Lee Berry.

South Yorkshire Police produced a video which fully explains the initiative:  https://youtu.be/biPV-3DTMPo

Karen Shooter, Domestic and Sexual Abuse Manager for Doncaster Council, agrees: “Victims that come to us for support often tell of ongoing abuse, harassment and stalking by their ex-partner or family member,” she says. “The use of SmartWater products helps to protect victims and provide the forensic evidence needed to prosecute perpetrators.”

And while South Yorkshire is the first county to use forensic marking against domestic abuse perpetrators on this scale, other counties are expected to follow suit.

Phil Cleary

CEO

Smartwater

www.smartwater.com

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On May 9, 2020, the government announced a £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking. This includes the creation of pop-up bike lanes with protected space for cycling, wider pavements, safer junctions, and cycle and bus-only corridors. This is in tandem with recent changes in isolation restrictions with the government encouraging those who cannot work at home to go back to work, and where possible, for people to walk or cycle to their place of work.

The aim is to encourage more people to choose alternatives to public transport. Grant Shapps the Transport Secretary said: “During this crisis, millions of people have discovered cycling – whether for exercise or as a means of safe, socially-distanced transport.” He went on to say, “when the country does get back to work, we need those people to stay on their bikes and be joined by many more.”

If you are joining those who are choosing to get to work by bike, a key aspect of your success will be keeping your bike safe. Bicycles can be some of the easiest vehicles for thieves and vandals to target.

You can protect yourself from becoming a victim by following some simple steps:

Park your bike safely:

• Many businesses provide cycle parks for their employees, so be sure to make use of these if available.
• At home, if possible, keep your bike in a secure garage or shed and keep the door locked.
• Avoid parking your bike in isolated places. Leave your bike where a potential thief will be seen.
• If you have a quick release saddle, you may wish to remove it and take it with you.

Secured by Design is a police initiative that focuses on crime prevention, including advice on secure bike parking.

Lock your bike:

Many people spend considerable amounts of money on good quality cycles and then buy cheap light weight padlocks because they want to reduce the overall weight they are carrying. This make the cycle even easier to steal. It is important to lock your bike following these guidelines:

• Get a good bike lock, and if you can, use two high quality locks. D locks or combination locks are best. Where possible, ensure your padlock conforms to Sold Secure standards
• Lock your bike to something secure, such as one of the many bike racks around our towns and cities.
• Make the lock and bike difficult to move. Keep the lock away from the ground and keep the gap between the bike and lock small.
• Where possible, lock up removable parts (for example, wheels) and take light fittings with you.
• Have your bike’s frame security-marked or engraved.

Record and register your bikes details:

• Record and register your bike at bikeregister.com– you’ll receive stickers to place on your bike to deter thieves and, if your bike is stolen, it makes it a lot easier to recover it. Register your bicycle model, make and frame number.
• Take a clear colour photograph of your bike and make a written record of its description, including any unique features.

A little time and action in keeping your bike safe will help to avoid the misery of bike theft. In these unprecedented times, getting on your bike as a way of exercising or a means of transport may one positive change you can make. As Sir Dave Brailsford, Team Principal of Team INEOS, says: “If ever there was a good time to get on your bike, it’s now. You will be helping take pressure off public transport. You will be looking after your health. You will be looking after the health of others and you will be helping the environment.”

For more information on bicycle security, please go to:

https://www.cityoflondon.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/theft-of-a-bicycle/how-safe-is-your-bike/

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The more professional you become the more complex your thinking and the less certain you are that you know everything!

There is a lot of talk at the moment about ‘professionalisation’. One of the things professionals are expected to know is ‘what works’. What is the research evidence telling them? The evidence of what works in policing is thin on the ground despite decades of research on crime and criminals.

At UCL we have just come to the end of a major project looking at what works in crime reduction. The conclusions are that nothing works everywhere; lots of things work somewhere; nothing happens just because someone said it should, and initiatives are sometimes expensive – but sometimes the same initiatives are free.

Security professionals

So where does this leave the security professional? Basically, there is no easy answer to the question of ‘what works?’. Security professionals, like other professional groups, need to know how initiatives might work, where and at what cost; they need to use their experience and judgement together with the lessons learned from continuous professional development courses and other training to develop their initiatives taking account of the local context and available budget.

To assist in this process, we worked with the UK College of Policing and developed a crime reduction toolkit for the professional (see http://whatworks.college.police.uk/toolkit/Pages/Toolkit.aspx), which looks at some of the many initiatives that are used to try to reduce crime.

To date, 45 initiatives are described there. In providing this research evidence the toolkit uses the acronym EMMIE – Effect (did it reduce crime?), Mechanism (how did it work?), Moderator (under what conditions or in what context?), Implementation (how was it implemented?) and Economics (at what cost?). Taking the information from the toolkit and combining it with experience should lead to more effective decisions.

Crime reduction toolkit for the professional

Of course, the toolkit can only report on research that is available and there is a real need for more and better studies. One of the systematic reviews that has recently been completed is on the tagging of goods in the retail environment. This provides a good example of the difficulties we had in this project. Much of the published research is quite old, and this matters in the fast-changing technological world. New tagging technologies are constantly being developed and many of them are evaluated in-house by major retailers, who don’t have the time to share their results even if they had the inclination. This meant that we had to contact selected retailers directly and try to find more recent studies that might provide evidence on the effects of tagging and, of course, the cost. The results suggest that overall it is better to tag items than not to tag them and (not surprisingly) conspicuous tags were better than inconspicuous tags.

However, there appear to be differences in the effectiveness of different types of tags depending on how they were presumed to work. Three mechanisms were proposed – the first refers to increases in the risk of detection where the tag includes an alarm component.

The second mechanism refers to reductions in rewards or denying the benefits to the offender, which happens when ink tags, for example, are used. The third mechanism relates to increase in the effort required by offenders to remove tags and circumvent the wider alarm system (in the case of EAS tags). It is plausible that the extra effort required to remove the tag (either in store or elsewhere) and/or circumvent the alarm system would be enough to deter some offenders from stealing tagged products.

So when deciding what kind of tags might work in your store, you need to think through how these various mechanisms might or might not ‘work’ for your target population of potential thieves.

CCTV crime reduction

We have far more information available on the effect of CCTV on crime reduction. As you will see from the toolkit, CCTV is found to be effective in reducing crime BUT you need to read the detail. There you will find that most of the effect comes from studies in car parks where CCTV really does seem to deter offenders. There is not much evidence that it is effective in reducing crime in other contexts. That does not, of course, mean that you should stop using it – CCTV may be helpful in assisting the police in detection, in managing police deployments on Friday and Saturday nights in town centres or in monitoring the movements of people in crowded spaces. The research results were solely concentrating on the effect of CCTV on crime reduction.

In summary, most of the research evidence on what works in crime reduction may not be surprising to the experienced practitioner – indeed we would need to worry if it were – but in an ideal world those initiatives that are introduced need to be based on reliable evidence, not just what it suits us to believe.

If I had a pound for every time I have heard someone say ‘I know exactly what the problem is and I know what to do about it’, I could retire tomorrow. The more professional you become, the more complex your thinking and the less certain you are that you know everything!

Gloria Laycock, OBE, Professor of Crime Science, UCL Jill Dando Institute

www.ucl.au.ukjdi

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Seven years ago, international delegates at the Vienna Forum for Combating Trafficking in People (as part of the UN Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking) were warned that human trafficking was becoming a global problem.

That the extent and diversity of this crime was increasing rapidly and an urgent call to action was needed for global leaders to agree on concrete objectives for effective cooperation; that no country would be immune from this increasing risk. Unfortunately, this prediction has come to pass. We now operate in a global village where human trafficking is the third largest and fastest growing crime. No longer are sound laws for individual countries enough; it is a world-wide problem and will require international solutions.

In the coming year, in an effort to reduce human trafficking, countries and governments will increasingly need to work together, share information and involve the private sector and academia.

Complex Criminal Networks

In a human trafficking case there can be a range of different actors performing a range of various roles in the smuggling process – from the small-scale smugglers, arranging ad hoc services – to larger smuggling networks, dividing the work among the actors involved.

These actors can have different functions: coordinator or organiser, recruiter, transporter or guide, spotter, driver, messenger, enforcer, service provider or supplier (including corrupt officials, taxi drivers or financiers, for example). All are part of a complex web of connections between the various parties.

Technological tools also play an influential and growing role in connecting and facilitating criminal networks that engage in the trafficking of humans. The use of multiple communications devices and applications often enables smugglers to conceal their identities, and to plan, coordinate, and perpetrate their activities with increased mobility and anonymity.

The internet has also changed the scope of traditional exploitation and, therefore, investigations. With technology, exploiters can reach a far broader audience much more easily. They can target victims via social media or email in their homes or wherever they are, anonymously and with increasing mobility.

If you look at figures from the European Union’s law enforcement agency, which states there are almost 30,000 people across Europe who are believed to have been involved in human trafficking since the start of 2015, one gains an appreciation of the sheer volume of data associated with these cases. For those tasked with tackling human traffickers, it is truly overwhelming.

Surfacing Actionable Intelligence

Technology is one tool that can help surface and quickly process and analyse mass amounts of information, allowing investigators to detect suspicious activities and surface unusual relationships.

Traditionally, to unwind a human trafficking network, investigators start from one piece of evidence and follow this trail link by link. Advanced crime analytics software enables a fusion of information from different sources to generate actionable intelligence, improving collaboration between parties and making data more widely available.

For instance, a country which is the designated trafficking end point may input massive amounts of information resulting from an investigation, such as information on surveillance, traffickers’ holding houses for victims and their known transit routes.

This is all local information and only shows one part of the traffickers’ story. By adding information from other parties, such as INTERPOL, foreign law enforcement and intelligence agencies, a central pool of evidence can be created for investigators to use to help establish connections between the data. This could help them create a picture of the entire trafficking network.

Advanced crime analytics can also look for links between case artefacts and suspects, highlight patterns that need investigation and reveal unusual relationships, helping to shoulder that crucial observational responsibility. It identifies anomalous patterns and suspicious behaviour in case data sets and can integrate information from other sources, including criminal watch lists, bank and financial transactions, travel and other records, to build an even more comprehensive picture. Investigators are able to dig deeper, revealing events and relationships that would otherwise have gone unnoticed but that could save that vital bit of time to close in on the trafficking network.

Tackling human trafficking requires a truly holistic and global approach; one way this can be achieved is through the use of data analytics to build an in-depth dossier of evidence to surface the transnational criminal networks exploiting vulnerable individuals across the world.

Paul Stokes

COO Wynyard Group

www.wynyardgroup.com

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Vacant office space is becoming an issue across London, a trend likely to be matched in most UK cities and cities around the world, as austerity measures continue to make an impact.

There are a number of risks and costs associated with vacant properties and these can be mitigated against if preventative action is taken. Obvious threats are fire, theft and criminal damage, which can be extremely costly.

These risks were highlighted at a recent incident at a high-end refurbished property in the heart of the West End of London for a well-renowned organisation. One evening, security personnel noticed that the lift was moving between the upper floors of the 6-storey building. This was unusual because the building had recently been refurbished and was unoccupied. Having gone to the 5th floor to investigate, they were confronted at the lifts by 3 people, who, when challenged, claimed that they lived there!

The security personnel asked them to leave the premises but they declined, so the police were called. Once onsite, the police confirmed that the property had been taken over by the squatters. The police could do nothing about it and, in fact, asked the security personnel to leave the building and remain outside until a court injunction was gained by the owners of the property.

The police indicated that as long as one of the intruders remained in the building it was theirs and if anyone tried to regain entry whilst they were in situ they would be arrested for trespassing!

It later transpired that the intruders gained entry by crossing the roof of a neighbouring property, breaking into the 5th floor of the building via the fire escape door.

A security officer was placed outside the building to observe the situation and, after 2 days, the intruders finally left the building. A mistake on their part as they left all of their personal belongings inside. However, it provided the opportunity to regain control of the property and re-secure it with additional manpower and trained dog-handlers.

The damage caused in this case was over £50,000 and raised concerns about the security integrity of this property in the future. To avoid this kind of situation occurring it is important to secure vacant premises, with the right balance of electronic security, remote monitoring with key holding and response services.

How to protect vacant properties

One option is to install temporary battery-operated electronic measures, including CCTV and intruder alarm systems. This allows for rapid deployment and no need for expensive installation costs or remedial work to be done. It also means there is no need for power or phone lines to be used, thereby saving costs.

A physical presence to patrol the building internally and externally to maintain the security integrity is also recommended, together with regular mobile inspections.

This makes would-be intruders aware that the building has a security presence and these visits could be performed throughout a 24-hour period.

To identify the cost-effective method of securing the property, a risk assessment must be undertaken. This then allows for the specification of the mix of physical and electronic security that is required to appropriately secure the building.

When a property has been either totally vacated or is newly built or refurbished and is completely empty of tenants, it is very prone to being invaded by squatters and, in most cases, it can take up to a week to get a court order to remove them. Damaged properties devalue significantly, and this in turn can affect the sale or lease value. A properly specified and effectively executed security solution can mitigate this risk.

Paul Stanger

Sales & Operations Director, KM Security Solutions

www.kmsecuritysolutions.co.uk

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