Violent crime against people in Northern Ireland (NI) rose by 7 per cent in 2014 with sexual offences, mostly against women, increasing by 16 per cent, according to PSNI statistics.
Hence, a new course on offer from NI-based security company Mercury Security Management. Lisburn-based Mercury’s Personal Safety and Security Awareness Course is designed to tackle these concerns including foreign travel and the increase in recent times of car-jacking.
Mercury CEO Frank Cullen said: “In our day to day security work, we have become increasingly aware of mounting concerns about the rise in violent crime in Northern Ireland including muggings, sexual assaults and car-jacking – not to mention the increasing number of violent attacks against tourists in foreign countries.
“One in 10 households** in Northern Ireland have been the victim of a crime in the last year so to help people feel more secure in their everyday lives, we have developed a very effective training course to ensure that they are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge required for their own personal protection and safety whilst at work, home and when travelling abroad.
“Our course is also very relevant to local businesses with more than a million violent incidents across the UK reported in the workplace every year. At least half a million of these are attacks on staff, of which a quarter of a million result in injury. The cost to business is staggering with £230m being spent in compensation and 3∏ million working hours lost in a year.”
The first course on Wednesday April 1, will be delivered through lectures and practical scenarios over one day or two evening sessions at Mercury’s new Training Academy near Lisburn. Topics covered on the course, which is open to males and females at a cost of £84 per person, include:
– Situation Awareness (being aware of your surroundings and people)
– Detecting Hostile Surveillance (strangers watching or following you)
– Personal/Residence/Vehicle Security
– Tactical Driving and Parking
– Surviving Hijacking (vehicle or plane) and Kidnap
– Surviving a Violent Street Encounter and Sexual Attack
– Surviving a Suicide Bomb Attack
– Self-defence and Breakaway Techniques
The interactive course is designed and delivered by Luke Bradley who has served for many years in special operations and worked in over 50 countries, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Sudan and Israel on security related tasks. In the last 12 months, Luke spent ten weeks working in Syria and completed other trips to Gaza, the West Bank, Nigeria and Tanzania. He is employed by the media and NGOs as a trainer and security adviser to prepare their staff to go overseas and also accompany them in a ‘close protection role’.
Frank Cullen said: “Luke is no stranger to dangerous assignments and his philosophy is one of awareness and avoidance of danger, not confrontation. This maxim has kept him and countless others who he trained safe in life-threatening situations and we are sure that his vast experience will be of great benefit to everyone attending this ground-breaking course.”
Personal safety tips
To give a taster of what they can expect to learn on the course, Mercury and Luke Bradley have put together some personal safety tips.
· Walk on the pavement against the flow of traffic, so if a vehicle stops with ill intent you will see it.
· Walk in the centre of the pavement away from alleyways or shrubbery that could conceal attackers.
· When out walking do not wear iPod or iPhone headphones as this limits hearing awareness of danger.
· Always lock your car doors to protect you from hijacking.
· Leave space between your vehicle and the one in front to allow you to manoeuvre and escape.
· Have your keys in your hand when approaching your car, house or hotel door.
· Prior to entering your residence or hotel room check over your shoulder to ensure no one is behind you.
· When overseas try not to display wealth. Your life is worth more than personal property.
For more information
For more on Mercury’s Personal Safety and Security Awareness Course or to book a place, call Mercury on 028 9262 0510 or email [email protected].
