Expected change in ACPO Policy regarding lone worker systems

Currently, ACPO policy (published January 2010) regarding how and when they will respond to a lone worker incident is set out in Appendix V. It calls for the alarm receiving centre involved to meet both BS5979 Cat II and BS8484. It further calls for the loe worker device used to comply with BS8484 (All Identicom's do by the way!).

It is anticipated that ACPO will shortly announce a change to this and call for the supplier of the solution delivered to a client to also conform and be audited to BS8484. This move is seen as a further (and welcome) strengthening of Police policy and recognises the need for the supplier to meet a wider range of corporate metrics (e.g. financial standing, appropriate insurance, data protection policy etc).

The announcement is expected in November 2010 but will come into force from April 2011.

Appendix V is also expected to reference Appendix S and that suppliers must comply with its requirements. These again are to ensure the supplier company and its staff meet criteria appropriate for the provision of lone worker security systems.

For further details or a copy of ACPO policy please contact me at craig.swallow@connexion2.com