Commsec is saving energy for Prestwich Arts College

Community Security Group has provided an energy saving and cost effective lighting solution for Prestwich Arts College as part of its integrated security project for the prestigious Bury based school.

The brief was to help the college achieve significant energy savings without compromising on light quality and aesthetics, whilst maintaining appropriate lux levels. This was achieved through using LED lighting products in the classrooms and corridors that offer up to 50% energy savings in many areas. The school's sports hall, which doubles as an exam hall when required, was problematic in that the existing sodium/mercury low bay fittings provided a depreciated lux level but this was resolved by converting to a dedicated 150w LED high bay solution that is now saving in excess of 6kw of power per hour.

The LED lighting project was undertaken as part of the college's modernisation project, whereby Commsec supplied and installed a new access control system and expanded its existing CCTV system.

This award winning, vibrant school has a reputation for high achievement and likewise, Community Security Group was able to apply its own unique expertise to protect the school's assets and the environment.

Tony Nuttall, Managing Director of Commsec, said that the project had run smoothly and that all the new and existing system upgrades had perfectly integrated to provide a long term solution for the college, backed by an ongoing tailor made service and maintenance programme.

 

Safe at play at St Brigids

Community Ironworks, the metal fabrication arm of Community Security Group was called to assist local school, St Brigids, when the Beswick primary school needed more playground security recently.
In response to an OFSTED recommendation, Head Teacher, Julie Myles requested Commsec Ironworks to erect a high, mesh security fence around the children's play area as the existing low level, wooden fence was deemed unsuitable. To prevent further unauthorised access to the play area, a new double gate was erected and both the security fencing and gates were made to match the schools existing metal work in style and colour.
For safety reasons, the installation work took place over several evenings and was completed in record time. Mrs Myles was pleased with the results and thanked Commsec for its quick response, care and attention. The bright blue powder coated finish matched the schools colour perfectly!
This project is one of many undertaken by local schools in partnership with Commsec. The company is a specialist in this sector and has designed and implemented many security features for schools, colleges and academies in the Greater Manchester region.

 

CSG promises to remember Alzheimer's Society in 2012

Community Security Group has announced that it has joined forces with Alzheimer's Society to raise funds for the charity and to help increase awareness during 2012.
At a presentation held at The Security Park in Beswick, CSG's Myles Hartley handed over the first donation cheque to the Society's Community Fundraiser for Greater Manchester, Jo Burton and the Area Fundraising Manager, North West, Katrina Bury. 
Myles affirmed that Commsec "is committed to a sustained plan of action to support the fundraising efforts of Alzheimer's Society and we will actively be encouraging our own clients and suppliers to do the same." He added, "As a local company we do all we can to get involved in community initiatives and the local Alzheimer's Society is renowned for its fantastic work here. We will do everything we can to help them to provide essential services to those affected by dementia."
At the presentation, Jo Burton thanked Community Security Group, saying, "Alzheimer's Society is grateful for the generous support it receives from it corporate sponsors, without whom it could not raise the necessary funds to provide support to people with dementia and their carers and to pay for research to find a cure."

 

More local retailers sign up for security

Community Security Group has been at the forefront of retail security for over 20 years and has reported a marked increase in the number of local retailers that have signed up for new security systems, from CCTV systems and intruder alarms to physical security products such as roller shutters, window grilles and barriers.
LLG Wheelchairs is a good example. From a shop on Kirkhall Lane, Leigh, it sells a range of motorised scooters and wheelchairs to local and UK-wide customers and has done so since 1983.  Manager, Gary Blood, approached Community Security recently to help him resolve problems he was encountering such as stock theft and an increased criminal element that were negatively affecting his business. Commsec recommended a CCTV system that could monitor activity throughout the store during opening hours with the additional benefit that the premises could be monitored remotely after hours.
Gary stated: "Commsec has installed a simple but effective dome camera system that covers every nook and cranny in the store including vulnerable areas like the cash point and the images are relayed to the back office where I can monitor them throughout the day. At night I can access the system via my PC/mobile phone to check that my premises are safe and for added peace of mind, all images are recorded and stored off site.
"There are other benefits too," he adds, "the health and safety aspect of my business has improved and I am more at ease knowing that I am offering better protection for my customers."
LLG Wheelchairs is not the only retailer enjoying the benefits of improved security, Bonnie's Cafe and City Chippy in Beswick have also signed up for new security systems with Commsec.
Chris Lennon of Commsec added: "Our systems are very smart, yet simple to install and operate. They offer a range of benefits to retailers who feel the need to improve their store security; they are an effective deterrent against theft and vandalism and can play an important role in any prosecution process."

 

Christmas at St Patricks RC Primary School, Collyhurst

Community Security Group's Santa has once again pulled out all the stops to entertain the children and their teachers at St Patricks RC Primary School in Collyhurst on Tuesday, 13th December 2011.

Arranged in co-operation with the head teacher and staff, the children had loads of fun singing Christmas carols and delighting in the antics of Santa and his elf and there was much merriment and excitement to be had for all.

Head teacher, Nicola Nelson, said, "All our children had a great time and were very excited to see Santa and his elf visit their school! Thank you once again Commsec!"

Every year Commsec's Santa offers to visit local schools and hand out gifts to the children, taking along his elf, Mr Jingles. If your school would like a visit from Commsec's Santa and his helper, please call Myles Hartley at 0845 634 8835 and make it a Christmas to remember.

 

Commsec offers safety tips for Christmas

Local integrated security company, Community Security Group has released its annual message to local residents facing an increased criminal element over the Christmas period. Its subsidiary, Lock, Alarm and Safe Company is committed to reinforcing its partnerships with local residents, businesses and the authorities and has offered some practical tips to keep your home and possessions secure over the festive season and beyond:

• Remember to always lock and shut your windows and doors
• Make sure your home is secure even when you are at home
• Use a timer and leave a light and radio on when you go out
• Never leave valuables on show
• Outside, remove tools and ladders from view
• Fit a burglar alarm and remember to use it
• Consider installing a CCTV system
• Don’t let cold callers into your home
• Don’t leave discarded packing for expensive items in view
• Keep your cards and cheque book separately
• Take out home insurance

For more information or advice, please call Chris or Myles on 0845 634 8835.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

CSG opens doors at Stretford Mall

The Lock, Alarm and Safe Company, part of the Community Security Group, has supplied a new masterkey system to the Stretford Mall Shopping Centre on Chester Road, Salford.

The EVVA EPS restricted masterkey system provides improved security for the centre where some 96 doors were affected. The patented Extended Profile System provides a high security solution for both simple and complex applications. It is a Kitemarked cylinder system that offers full key restriction with locks that are durable, pick resistant and drill resistant. Masterkeys and sub-masterkeys provide a two tier access system that allows management to control entry and restrict access for users of certain doors within the popular local shopping complex.

Streford Mall is home to dozens of high street names and a wide range of independent retailers offering the latest fashions, health and beauty and home and living essentials and more. It also offers a diverse range of activities for local people to enjoy, the latest being an exciting summer activity programme for the kids.
After a site visit by CSG locksmiths, the locks and keys were ordered, delivered and fitted overnight so as not to disrupt trading at the centre. Going forward, the system is registered to Community Security Group which will be responsible for controlling the replacement of keys and supplying additional keys when needed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

New Salvation Army store safe with Community Security Group

The Lock, Alarm and Safe company, part of the Community Security Group, has donated a safe to the Salvation Army at its brand new store at 1319 Ashton Old Road, Openshaw.

The Salvation Army, a local church, has been serving the local community since 1903 and the opening of its new store on Friday, 24 June 2011 will enhance its presence in the area. Presiding over the official opening, Major Mel Jones welcomed visitors and invited them to browse around the store that sells affordable clothing, books, toys and other saleable items.

The Salvation Army's Church and Project Leader, Sam Ward, added that the shop would also serve as an additional community centre where local people will be welcomed to stay a while and read, meet friends and participate in the various parent/toddler and youth groups that will congregate there.

The Manager of Lock, Alarm and Safe Company, Myles Hartley, handed over the safe at the opening ceremony saying, "As a group, we are also very active in the local community serving the security needs of households, schools, charities, businesses and other organisations so when we have the opportunity to help out, we do. In this particular case, a large housing association client of ours no longer needed the safe and we thought it would be great to offer it to a good cause. I can't think of a more deserving recipient."

 

 

 

 

  

 

 Major Mel Jones, Myles Hartley and Sam Ward

    

 

A new lesson for old schools

The Community Security Group, based in Beswick, Greater Manchester, has been working with local schools to modernise older school buildings, ensuring that they comply with the strict requirements laid down by The Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) and other regulatory bodies - particularly in the area of safety and security.

OFSTED has led the national drive to ensure that every school is properly secured to make sure that children and staff remain safe in school hours. During routine school inspections, security weaknesses are identified and an action plan is put into place to address any problem areas. Broken gates, damaged perimeter fencing and rusty railings are hazardous and need to be repaired or replaced. Automatic or manual wrought iron gating and additional fencing is often recommended to cordon off restricted areas for added physical security and access control, video entry and other electrical security systems are routinely prescribed to assist with screening and controlling visitor access.

A project entailing the design, manufacture and installation of perimeter fencing and railings, an intercom system, CCTV system, fire doors and roller shutter doors was undertaken at St Patrick's Roman Catholic Primary School in Collyhurst. Community Security answered the brief from the head teacher to address problems that had been identified by OFSTED that concerned keeping track of people entering and leaving the school premises. With existing facilities deemed to be inadequate, Community Security used an integrated approach, addressing the key issues and modernising the building's boundaries and its systems to match the best of contemporary education facilities. Wrought iron double gates were especially designed for the school and a Videx intercom system allows staff to identify visitors before allowing them access.Additional fencing was erected in the school grounds to isolate off-limit areas and this greatly improved the safety and security aspect for children and staff. More recently, work was undertaken to design, manufacture and install window grilles, bin cages and roller shutter doors which are a must for modern schools that have to guard against loss through criminal activity and vandalism.

St Malachy's Roman Catholic Primary School was founded in 1930 and it was during a recent inspection by fire officers that the upper two floors of the three storey school faced closure unless immediate measures were taken to renew the fire doors. Community Security manufactured and installed the new fire doors within just three weeks, completing the project whilst the school was closed for the February holidays. The school's 80 year old railings were rusted and unsafe and were also replaced in 2010 in a project to improve security for pupils, staff and visitors to the school. Securing the perimeter of the school took a mere six weeks to complete in the summer holidays and the children now play safely while unauthorised persons cannot gain access to school grounds.

Community Security Group Managing Director, Tony Nuttall, founded the Group in 1992. It has since established itself at the forefront of the security industry by constantly innovating and improving the quality of its products and services which include CCTV, intruder alarms, access control, ironworks, locksmiths and security retail. Whilst its client base comprises a mix of individuals, companies and public organizations, Nuttall has a special interest in supporting the local community and he particularly enjoys working with schools in the area. He commented: "We work closely with the head teachers of many local schools and we are always available to help with anything from faulty locks and lost keys to designing and installing sophisticated security systems. There are too many older schools in Greater Manchester and with all the budget cuts to come, we are trying to do the best we can to modernise and enhance school security without damaging the respect for our historical buildings."

 

St Malachy's RC Primary School

 

Community Security Group opens doors for Adactus Housing Group

The Lock, Alarm and Safe Company, the retail arm of Community Security Group, has been serving Adactus Housing Group at its trade counter and show room based in Edwin Road, Beswick for four years and the two companies got together recently to conduct specialised locksmith  training for housing operatives.

Adactus owns and manages 13,000 homes across the region and its maintenance and repair teams provide a skilled work force that is active in 25 local authorities in the North West.  LASC manager, Myles Hartley, takes up the story:  “We deal with Adactus on a daily basis and so we are familiar with the type of work its housing operatives regularly undertake, such has having to gain entrance to properties without keys. Judging by the condition of some of the locks brought into the shop for replacement, it was evident that even though they possessed some basic skills, additional locksmith training would be useful to them. After extensive consultation with Adactus Housing Group management, we designed a locksmith training course that took into account their current levels of expertise, providing advanced specialist training that would have a positive effect on the company in terms of efficiencies and cost savings.”

The course was a great success and Adactus was so satisfied with the results that they would like a further 12 of their staff to complete the course within the next six months.

Trainee, John Topping, successfully completed the course and proudly accepted his certificate, saying: “The course was very well organised and was not only very informative but easy to understand and, more importantly, I can now access our properties expertly, without damaging the door, locks and surrounds.”

The Training Room at The Community Security Group 

 

Certificate presentation to John Topping (centre) of Adactus Housing Group with James Smyth (left) & Myles Hartley (right)