OCS Gains National Recognition at the BSIA Awards

04 August 2011

Two OCS security teams have won national accolades at the prestigious British Security Industry Authority awards (BSIA) presented on the 13th July at the London Hilton on Park Lane.

Image Caption: Jeffrey was presented with his award by Lynne Featherstone MP Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Equalities and Criminal Information

Jeffrey Evans, control room operator from Port Talbot won the ‘Best Use of Technology’ award for his work in the CCTV control room at Aberafan Shopping Centre. Jeffrey has worked at the centre for more than twenty years and has helped solve many crimes, both catching criminals red-handed and by tracking them down through CCTV images, succeeding in catching over fifty shoplifters in 2010 alone.

The outstanding work that Jeffrey does at the centre often leads to him being called upon for help by multiple specialist police units in the local area. On Jeffrey winning the award, Steve Redmore, Centre Manager at Aberafan Shopping Centre commented, “From the time I started working with Jeffrey, he has consistently shown a commitment to the centre which is second to none. To be recognised as police asset is a credit to his work and knowledge.”

he OCS team at the Bon Accord and St Nicholas Shopping Centre won the award for ‘Best Team’ for their commendable work at the Aberdeen site. The eighteen strong team has handled a number of challenges throughout their time at the centre and have dealt with situations above and beyond their call of duty including a clear up following a flood, assisting a member of public choking on her food and responding to a possible terror threat.

The teams proactive attitude has won them admiration and respect from both the centre and members of the public, alongside local authorities, tenants and the Scottish Business Crime Centre.

Stephen Smith from the Bon Accord team received the ‘Best Team’ award from Lynne Featherstone MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Equalities and Criminal Information

Alison Light, Operations Manager at Land Securities, highlights the team’s constant strive towards outstanding customer service: “On a daily basis the team go out of their way to help Centre Management to give an excellent service to our tenants and members of the public. This could be by helping calm a parent who has lost a child while they search for the child, assist with getting people out of the lifts if they remain trapped, helping mop up water after flooding or even helping set up display materials for events. They are genuinely a nice group of officers who are always keen to help.”

The security team at Queen Elizabeth hospital in Gateshead also scooped a BSIA award, winning the regional award for Best Team in the North East. Led by Rob Stead, OCS Site Manager, the team at the hospital often have to endure a difficult and unpredictable working environment. They are a strong unit that work together to adapt and overcome any problems with minimum fuss and complaint and are professionally trained in their field. The doctors, nurses and administrative staff at the hospital view the OCS security team as an integral part of their own support network and rely on them heavily to provide the ‘hands on’ role to all aspects of safety within the hospital.

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