Mitie unveils online crime reporting partnership with Facewatch

FTSE 250 strategic outsourcing company Mitie has announced a strategic partnership with Facewatch, the online crime reporting and networking service.

Facewatch is a secure, cloud-based platform that enables business users, the public and the police to report low-level crime with CCTV evidence and to share offender images and intelligence with other businesses within secure groups.

Facewatch provides tools to develop intelligence about specific individuals and affords advanced statistics enabling businesses and the police service to drive down crime.

The Facewatch system holds the police approved Secured by Design accreditation and is fully accepted by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) as a means of accessing digital case files within UK Courts of Law. Facewatch is accessible from any Internet-connected device.

Mitie has forged an online crime reporting partnership with Facewatch

This new partnership will see Mitie take control of the entire crime reporting process on behalf of its customers.

Using Mitec, Mitie’s hi-tech security hub, analysts will be able to review CCTV footage, prepare incident reports and develop evidential packs in line with police service and CPS guidelines so these can be used to support prosecutions.

Crime reporting and threat analysis

Darren Gamage, managing director of technology services at Mitie’s Total Security Management business, said: “Working with Facewatch gives us an exciting opportunity to enhance our crime reporting and threat analysis service for our customers. Our analysts in Mitec will work with the various police forces in efficient crime reporting, allowing us to better manage risk and document incidents.”

Gamage added: “We will also be able to share data across our clients’ estates where we’re already monitoring their systems or providing a physical security presence.”

Simon Gordon, chairman of Facewatch, commented: “We’re delighted to be working with Mitie on this launch. Delivering an instant and secure reporting solution to offences such as shoplifting, personal theft and vandalism is key to our partnership. We are focused on improving the quality of crime reports sent to the police from businesses, assisting in developing police efficiencies and reducing crime.”

The Facewatch system now contains around 18,000 images and logs over 8,000 business premises. The concept was kick-started back in March 2010.

MITIE Group plc acquires leading screening company Procius

MITIE Group plc, the strategic outsourcing organisation, has announced the acquisition of Procius – a leading UK pre-employment screening company – from the management team.

Procius is a specialist in pre-employment screening and vetting, and has particular expertise in the aviation and transportation sectors.

This acquisition will provide MITIE’s Total Security Management business with additional niche capability and support its growth as one of the UK’s largest providers of pre-employment screening, competency management and criminal records checking services.

Ruby McGregor-Smith CBE: MITIE Group plc’s CEO

The combined business provides solutions for over 3,000 customers across all sectors. The acquisition will add an operational hub in Basingstoke to MITIE’s well-established PeopleCert and UKCRBs businesses located at MiTec (MITIE’s technology hub in Northern Ireland).

Speaking about this latest development, Ruby McGregor-Smith CBE (MITIE Group plc’s CEO) commented: “I’m delighted to welcome the Procius employees to our rapidly growing screening and vetting business. This acquisition will significantly enhance the services that we offer to our customers, particularly in the aviation and transport sectors.”

MITIE launches DeTect systems to reduce false alarm activations by 90%

FTSE 250 strategic outsourcing company MITIE has launched DeTect, a range of wireless intruder, fire alarm and visual verification systems for the protection of vacant premises.

Last year, MITIE’s Total Security Management (TSM) business launched its specialist vacant property services. This latest range, which is compliant with EN50131 standards, builds on the offering and offers a means to reduce false alarms and unnecessary call-outs.

The DeTect systems are monitored by MiTec, MITIE TSM’s technology hub, where the operatives view video footage to identify the reason for the activation, ensuring that only real security breaches or emergencies are responded to in due course.

MITIE has launched a range of wireless intruder, fire alarm and visual verification systems for the protection of vacant premises

MITIE’s national void secure team installs these systems within a few hours. The plug-and-play nature of the solution means that it can be rapidly deployed inside or outside a vacant property, either proactively or reactively to criminal activity.

The systems can also be fitted with flood alarm sensors, in turn providing additional value and protection to clients.

Bob Forsyth: managing director, MITIE Total Security Management (TSM)

Powered by long life lithium batteries boasting an average life of four years, any system low battery signals are monitored by MiTec operatives who will arrange an engineer to replenish as and when needed.

Bob Forsyth, managing director at MITIE TSM, commented: “The launch of this range of systems is a great innovation for our clients as well as being a cost-effective and highly efficient way of securing empty properties. The clarity of the footage is top quality and, in some instances, we’ve already provided evidence to the police that has led to convictions.”