(This document forms part of the
University's Risk Management measures)
1. Objective
The purpose of physical security services within the
University of Westminster is to contribute to the provision of a
suitable environment for the achievement of the University's
mission: high quality education and research, in both national and
international contexts, for the intellectual, social and
professional development of the individual and for the economic and
cultural enrichment of London and wider communities. In particular
it will aim to ensure:
- The protection of staff, students,
visitors and the assets of the University.
- The prevention, investigation and
detection of crime and disciplinary offences in accordance with the
University disciplinary procedures.
- The apprehension and prosecution of
offenders.
2. Methods
The University will adopt a layered approach to security and
will: -
2.1 Secure the perimeters of its buildings by taking all
reasonable measures to prevent unauthorised access.
2.2 Limit access to its buildings to bona fide
staff, students and visitors in possession of a valid University
identity card.
2.3 Will take additional security measures to protect
its high value assets, high-risk facilities and confidential
documentation storage areas.
2.4 Will provide additional security measures to
ensure the protection of its staff and their
possessions. These measures include:
-
2.4.1 The provision of digital locks.
2.4.2 The provision of security containers.
2.4.3 The requirement for all IT equipment to be provided with
protection by alarm systems or locking devices.
2.5 Provide a range of Personal Protection
Security measures for those staff that work in high-risk
situations. These measures will include:
-
2.5.1 The provision of CCTV surveillance in all receptions
within each building.
2.5.2 The provision of each internal reception desk of a panic
alarm connected to a centrally monitored position.
2.5.3 The provision at each main building reception of a panic
alarm connected the local police station.
2.5.4 The provision of internal security officer
patrols.
2.5.5 The provision of personal attack radio systems for use
by those personnel in a lone worker situation.
2.5.6 The provision of CCTV surveillance in libraries and
other sensitive areas of the building.
3. The University will, in utilising these measures,
ensure full compliance with The Data Protection Act, 1998 and
revisions thereof and the University's CCTV system policy and
revisions thereof.
4. Employ Security Guards in a manner that ensures full
compliance with BS 7499.
5. To ensure uniformity of standards, fitness for purpose and
to limit costs, the University will adopt standard specifications
for the following items of security equipment:
- Door furniture, locks and suiting
- Digital Locks.
- Equipments including surveillance and CCTV recording
equipment.
- Security Lighting
- Access Control System including Identity Cards
- Computer Physical Security Systems
- Intruder Alarm Equipment.
6. The University in pursuance of the purpose of this policy
will:
6.8.1 Require staff, students and visitors to be in the
possession of an ID Card at all times when on University
property.
6.8.2 Require those members of staff and students who fail to
bring their ID card to follow the procedure for visitors in order
to gain entry to the buildings.
6.8.3 Request police assistance in the event of any criminal
offence being committed on University property.
6.8.4 Initiate disciplinary procedures when proven instances
of verbal abuse, intimidation and unruly behaviour occur.
7. Accountability
7.1 University Security Policy:
The officer responsible for the development and
co-ordination of this policy is the University
Secretary. The Department of Estates &
Facilities oversees day-to-day implementation.
7.2 Risk Management Security Sub-Group: The
University's physical security policy forms part of the
University's overall risk management policy. This includes the
following security elements;
-
Physical Security
-
Cash Handling & Storage
-
Documentation security
-
Information Technology security
8. Implementation: All students
and staff of the University have a vested interest in the
effectiveness of the University's Physical Security policy. The
individual accountabilities for its implementation are as follows:
-
8.1 Provost: Campus Provosts are accountable
for the security measures in use within their campus. They exercise
this accountability by ensuring compliance with Financial
Regulations, compliance with legislation with reference to the
security of documentation, by ensuring adherence to the IT Security
Policy, and, through their CSM's by enabling them to discharge
their responsibilities for physical security measures.
8.2 Campus Site Managers are the security
managers for all aspects of physical site
security. They are operationally accountable to
Provosts in this role and functionally accountable to the Director
of Estates and Facilities with respect to the professional
standards including their adherence to University standards and
procedures.
8.3 Physical Security Manager: The
University's Facilities Services Coordinator, accountable to the
Director of Estates, is the University's Physical Security Officer.
The duties of this postholder in respect of physical security
are:
- To monitor compliance with all of the University's physical
security standards and procedures.
- To act as Secretary to the quarterly Provosts' Facilities
Management Meeting, preparing quarterly reports for that forum
(performance of campus security contractors will be a permanent
agenda item).
- To oversee CSMs' contract monitoring procedures to ensure
uniformity in their application and compliance.
- To carry out bi-annual audits of each campuses compliance
with University risk management procedures including physical
security.
- To prepare an annual report on physical security performance
for presentation to VCEG.
- To act as secretary to the University's Risk Management
Security Sub-Group.
- To develop policy changes and initiative in step with
changing circumstances in consultation with University senior
management.