Telford security firm casts off its quality mark

Telford-based RMP Specialist Services has held an accreditation under the Security Industry Authority’s Approved Contractor Scheme for the last three years. But it has now announced it is to withdraw its membership. The mark is used as a guarantee of quality for people looking for security contractors.

But after looking at the problems in the run up to the Olympics, RMP says it will no longer be part of the scheme.

Jon Hill, who runs the company from its headquarters on Stafford Park, said the damage to the reputation of the SIA through the G4S scandal had resulted in a loss of credibility, and he did not want that to rub off on his company.

Spotlight

“The behaviour of all at G4S has not only thrown their company into the spotlight in a negative way but also the SIA because they had approved the company,” he said. “It is for this reason RMP Security Services have decided to withdraw.

“We believe the SIA sho-uld have acted in advance to prevent such a failure happening and should take a serious look at their app-roval scheme. How were G4S allowed to be an approved company when it was managed so badly?”

Mr Hill added: “The credibility of the SIA and its ACS has been damaged and we are concerned that bad news travels much faster than good. It is for this reason we have let the SIA ACS go.”

An SIA spokeswoman said the contract to supply the services to the games was between LOCOG and G4S, and was therefore not within the SIA remit.

However, she added: “We are confident in the credibility of the ACS scheme. We take non-compliance with ACS requirements seriously and withdraw ACS status where a company no longer meets requirements.”

By Thom Kennedy