Bike thefts slashed by 50% at University after scientists install a picture of a pair of eyes above the cycle racks

The two-year experiment was carried out by a security manager at the campus who had seen similar studies suggest that people behave better when they feel they are being watched.
Academics found that bike racks which had eyes placed above them experienced 62 per cent fewer thefts than the previous year, while those without eyes saw thefts increase by 63 per cent.
The crime-fighting idea is now being trialled by British Transport Police (BTP), with train company C2C, on a route between London’s Fenchurch Street station and Southend in Essex.
For the first year the team monitored the level of bike thefts from all racks across campus for a control figure.
They then placed the eye signs in three locations, leaving the rest of the racks without signs.
They monitored all the sites for a year to measure the impact on the level of crime, and noticed a major drop for racks with eyes but an increase at those without.
A 2006 study found that staring eyes made people pay almost three times as much into a tea-room honesty box.
Lead author of the paper Prof Nettle said: ‘We don’t know exactly what is happening here but this just adds to the growing evidence that images of eyes can have a big impact on behaviour.
‘We think that the presence of eye images can encourage co-operative behaviour. One strong possibility is that the images of eyes work by making people feel watched.
‘We care what other people think about us, and as a result we behave better when we feel we are being observed’
Mr Nott, who is deputy team leader for security in the estates security service at Newcastle University, said: ‘Anything we can do to reduce the level of theft on the campus is very welcome.
‘I had followed previous work done by this team and thought it might be able to make a difference to levels of crime, so I decided to suggest this experiment.
‘The results were clear and we have now put these pictures up across all the bike racks on the campus.’
Barry Sharp, from BTP’s London North Area Crime Team, said: ‘Research shows that this sign has had some promising results at Newcastle University, and we are always looking at new ways to tackle cycle theft at rail stations.
‘As well as signs at stations and increased patrols at hot-spot locations, we aim to crack down on cycle thieves across Essex.’

The first quarter of 2013 has been one of much success, with Winns being successful in winning the contract for Basildon & Thurrock University Hospital’s Medical Records Department.  Faced with stiff competition (there were over 15 different security providers involved in the process), Winns displayed that a quality and cost effective solution would be provided.  TUPE consultations begin shortly, with the contract expected to go-live within the next few weeks.

We have seen a large amount of organic growth so far this year, with an increase in manned guarding hours of approximately 28% since October 2012.  This is mainly from existing customers and shows a belief in the services and support provided; in particular, Balfour Beatty have tasked Winns with providing the security for their North West Electrification and High Speed Rail Projects, covering the mainline from London to Liverpool.  We now provide Mobile Patrol Officers, Dog Handlers and static Security Officers to locations along the line; providing access control and asset security solutions.

Lastly, healthcare and further education in south Essex has seen significant investment for 2013, meaning that our customers are asking for security services to be provided to their new sites in Southend, Canvey Island and Basildon.  We are providing a complete range of tailored solutions to these new locations, from key holding and alarm response to manned guarding services; as our customer’s requirements change we are able to change with them, providing a totally individual solution, in a cost effective manner.

As the construction industry begins to pick up, and projects commence; we are expecting to provide security solutions to our customers in that sector; meaning we should have a busy summer season on building sites (weather permitting!), we are also already booked to cover several events and festivals taking place in the region, so keep an eye out for a friendly Winns Security Officer this summer!

Local businessman Rob Stillwell visited HARP’s Day Centre in Valkyrie Road this week to make a generous donation of £1,000 to assist this Charity in its work with helping Southend’s Homeless.

Rob is the Managing Director of Winn Security and Simply Better Services who are based by Chalkwell Park. His two companies have created 600 jobs in the south east and London, but 200 of these jobs are provided in Southend and the surrounding areas, making them one of the biggest employers in the town.

Having grown up in Basildon, to then move closer to Southend, Rob has built up his Companies through sheer hard work and determination, these being the two essential ingredients required to create success.

Rob commented, “Through providing the services of my Companies to HARP, we have gained a real insight into the plight of Homeless people and just what a tragic situation it is for someone to find themselves in, therefore we know with confidence that our donation to this marvellous Charity really will be put to the best possible use to help others who find themselves desperate for help and we know first hand that HARP provides this vital help to Southend’s Homeless”.

On receiving this donation HARP’s Chief Executive Gill Garwood said, “We never cease to be amazed at the generosity of our local community towards those who are less fortunate. The donations we receive for the Churches, Schools and individual donations are just so uplifting. But now we are also receiving generous donations from local businesses such as Rob’s, it gives us greater confidence in the knowledge that we can continue to help the huge number of people who arrive at our Day Centre every week and I can’t tell you how much we value this support”.

To make your donation please go online to: www.harpsouthend.org.uk or send a cheque to:

HARP Ltd, 117, York Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex. SS1 2DL Ph: 01702 – 615000 or by Text to HOME43 followed by £10 to 70070 and there is no charge for the text.

Every year we like to make a Christmas donation to charity rather than buying gifts for our clients. This year we’ve chosen local charity HARP (Homeless Action Resource Project).

“As a valued client of Winns we hope that you support our decision this year to redirect the money that we usually spend on seasonal gifts for our clients to a local charity HARP (Homeless Action Resource Project).

Their main objective is to provide homeless people with help and advice in securing accommodation, and to alleviate homelessness through the provision of short-term emergency accommodation.

They operate an ‘open door” policy. Regardless of race, age, gender, religion or sexual orientation, they aim to provide a caring, comfortable and identified environment and opportunities to secure permanent accommodation and new beginnings.

We trust that you concur with our decision and on behalf of HARP we thank you for your support.”

Winns extend their working relationship with Balfour beatty rail by securing the fast link contract from London to the Midlands.

BB are carrying out upgrades to the line and we are providing security officers at strategic locations on the line. Derek Edwards, general manager says he is looking forward to implementing this and further developing our excellent working relationship with BB.

One of our Managers Joe Davies with Pudsey at a Children in Need Event we helped with.

Southend Borough Council were awarded the most Prestigious Award Council of the year 2012, out of 364 councils from around Great Britain.

Simply Better Services & Winns Security were sponsors of this event and are proud to be associated with Southend Borough Council.

We provide a soft Facilities Management Service for Cleaning and Security to all the buildings within the Borough

In the picture below is Alan Davies, Director with his partner Vikki Goldring with the winning team.

WINNS Directors, at the eleventh hour, kindly donate the shortfall of funds to The St Christopher’s School, enabling them to go to the Pantomime! Kids you will go to the ball!!!!

– WINNS & SBS Sponsor Southend Borough Council’s ‘STARS AWARDS’. Director Alan Davies presented ‘The Employee of the Year Award’ to Edward Hayden’ Well done Edward!!

– John Levy of the YMCA commend Edward Anning Akosah for the way he handled recent incidents and followed through with competent paperwork, ensuring all staff had access to the correct information.

– Tim C. & Stuart V. from the Met Police’s Counter Terrorism Unit provided Hostile Reconnaissance & Counter Terrorism Awareness training to all our staff.

– SECURITY SERVICES LTD Gain a further 2 points in their 4th Annual ACS Audit. With No Improvement Needs & 3 Good Practices.

– WINNS sails through its annual NSI Audit.