Speaking at the Global MSC Security Seminar in Newcastle this week Garry Parkins, Consultant to the National CCTV Strategy Board, outlined to delegates the preferred proposal of the National CCTV Strategy Board, for implementing recommendation 1 of the national CCTV strategy, “establishing a body responsible for the governance and use of CCTV in the UK”.
Delegates attending the seminar, held in partnership with Safe Newcastle and supported by the Government Office for the North East (GONE), were given a ‘last chance’ to contribute and influence the preferred proposal. Garry Parkins said, “Significant progress has been made with 6 recommendations being fully implemented already. He added that a further 11 recommendations were expected to be fully implemented by the end of this year.
Garry outlined how the model the Board are preparing could work which will include collecting good practice, commissioning and issuing guidance on standards, training and operational issues, addressing complaints and provide a single point of contact for industry, police and public. Every effort has been made through extensive consultations to do our best to get this right from the outset. The extent and use of CCTV remains of great public interest.
Derek Maltby, Managing Director at Global MSC Security commented: “We are always delighted that Garry values our seminars as a means to capture industry and user views. The proposal he outlined will be an important step forward on the national CCTV agenda. Given the volume of CCTV and other surveillance in the UK and recognition as a world leader on its use, such a move to meet the needs of public concern and improve satisfaction is welcomed”.
Paul Angus, Community Safety Officer (CCTV) for Safe Newcastle said: “It's great the seminar provided another opportunity to engage with end-user delegates on national issues. We are really pleased with the support for our seminar from the national strategy team. CCTV remains an important part of local strategy and operations to provide a safer environment in Newcastle and their insight is invaluable.”
The Newcastle Evening Chronicle picked up the theme of Public Space CCTV and as a result of this seminar, ran a poll of their readers’, “Do you think CCTV cameras benefit our communities? The positive response of “Yes 79% No 21%” was received.
Delegates attending the one-day seminar – themed on Risk and Reward; getting the balance right by driving efficiency - had a thought provoking opening address by Dr Mike Carter, an organisational change and leadership specialist at Exeter University Business School. He warned that given the current financial issues facing public spending both now and the future, if the CCTV sector is to survive and prosper it must take account of current national issues like energy efficiencies with a clear vision and plan to communicate and influence key stakeholders. A wide range of other presentations included product information and topical issues from suppliers and end-users.
A quality exhibition area housing over 46 exhibitors with a wide variety of CCTV related products was on offer. Sponsored ‘prize draws’ for a Camcorder [Coe] MP3 players [Samsung] and an iPod Touch [Dallmeier] were added attractions for those attending. With a pre-event Go-Karting track day where 35 end users and exhibitors attended, [sponsored by Zenitel UK] and relaxed evening networking dinner, the whole event was once again a huge success.
Derek Maltby said: “It is a wonderful opportunity to bring the CCTV agenda to the North East. We are grateful for the extensive support through a range of national and local presentations and exhibitors. These events just get better and better”.
For more information about Safe Newcastle visit the website at www.safenewcastle.org.uk or phone 0191 277 7832.
Global MSC Security is an established independent security consultancy providing advice in all aspects of physical and manned security including CCTV, perimeter protection, and access control systems. Our services are supplied to a wide range of public authorities, blue chip companies and private organisations to safeguard town centres, businesses and residential communities.
We also specialise in providing focused, free-to-attend seminars and exhibitions aimed at sector end-users.
Garry Parkins was a career Civil Servant, spending over 36 years with the Home Office. During that time he undertook a range of posts linked to service delivery in the public sector. He has operated at senior levels in the Home Office and across Whitehall, overseeing the delivery of a number of key projects. In recent years Garry has been Head of Crime Strategy for the Home Office, where a major project was the delivery of the National CCTV Strategy, and more recently he was Head of Police Integrity and NDPB Sponsorship at the Home Office. Garry left the Home Office in June 2008. Garry is currently working as a consultant with the National Policing Improvement Agency, where he is advising them on the implementation of the recommendations of the National CCTV Strategy.
Details of other presentations and the suppliers’ exhibition are available upon request.
The next Global MSC Seminar is on Tuesday 9th March 2010 at the Marriott Royal Hotel, Bristol; themed as : ‘Putting the National Strategy into Practice’. By invitation through the company offices.
Contact details:
Tel 0117 932 3394
Fax 0117 932 8911
Email: info@globalmsc.net
Web: http://www.globalmsc.net
