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| Securitas has entered into 10-year partnership worth £31million to improve services |
Securitas has entered into a ground-breaking 10-year partnership to provide security and reception services to the University of Hertfordshire.
The partnership, worth £31million over 10 years, was awarded as part of a long-term initiative that will see the organisations work closely together, improve service and save the University, based in Hatfield Hertfordshire, around £500,000 a year over the decade.
£1million worth of technical investment
As part of the partnership, Securitas has pledged around £1million worth of technical investment, including Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), a visitor management system, computerised radio communications and a Learning Resource Centre access control system, all of which are designed to improve service to the staff, students and visitors to the University.
The technology investment will be strategically implemented to provide three impact dates for the University, April 2015, September 2015 and January 2016 to mirror key milestones in the academic cycle.
Enhance student & staff experience
David Pike, National Account manager (Education), said: "These solutions are to assist the University to enhance the student and staff experience and we are delighted to be working with the University.”
"This partnership is a really important step for Securitas as we look to grow our education portfolio. It is the first time a University has committed to a 10-year partnership and we are delighted they've chosen Securitas as their long-term partner.”
Manned & mobile guarding solutions
Officers will provide manned and mobile guarding solutions, support to students in residence, ANPR and car park monitoring and visitor management systems including access control barriers. "We have pledged to ensure the University attains a position in the top five in the list of safest UK Universities (as published by Complete University Guide) within the first five years of the contract."added David.Securitas will also provide the University's students with up to 70 positions worldwide, including short-term contracts, placements and work experience. Existing University receptionists will also transfer to a Securitas contract which will include TUPE and pension provision.
Partnership with Securitas will respond positively
Andrew May, Director of Estates and Hospitality, at the University, said: "As the UK’s leading business facing University with aspirations to be internationally renowned, we are delighted to be working so closely with Securitas. In today’s environment student experience and employability are keys and the partnership we have with Securitas will respond very positively to these drivers”.
Hatfield was recently named in the list of top 20 safest towns for students in the UK. The ranking, compiled from official police data, is based on how exposed a student will be to crime in 64 of England and Wales’ student towns and cities. Hatfield was rated at 18th making it safer than the neighboring cities of Cambridge, Luton and London.
Research by student accommodation search portalThe research was carried out by StuRents.com - a student accommodation search portal - and rankings are based on how many recorded crimes student areas experienced per thousand residents between February 2014 and January 2015.
Securitas Country President, Brian Riis Nielsen, said: "This partnership confirms our new solutions strategy is working. We are moving from pure man-guarding to offering solutions which integrate remote and mobile guarding services with technology to achieve cost-efficiency, added value and long-term customer relationships."
