Global Security Company

Tensions escalate in Thailand protests

Political tensions are currently escalating in Thailand due to the ongoing anti-government protests by the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), also known as the ‘red shirts’, in the capital, Bangkok. Thousands of UDD supporters are currently in the capital to press for the resignation of the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his Democrat Party. The group has established their main protest hub in the Ratchaprasong district, an important commercial area in the centre of the city, where they have created barricades to separate themselves from security forces. However, despite warnings by authorities not to attempt to expand their protests in the capital, UDD supporters held a ‘mobile rally’ in Bangkok on 28 April when an estimated 2,000 UDD members, in trucks and on motorcycles, drove from the Ratchaprasong encampment to a meeting point at the Talad Thai market in northern Bangkok. Although no initial move was made to stop the procession, hundreds of Thai troops established a blockade on a highway in the Don Muang area of the city to prevent the convoy from reaching the market. Clashes subsequently erupted as protesters reached the blockade, leaving at least ten people injured; one soldier was also killed although this was reportedly from friendly-fire.

For more on this situation, go to http://www.red24.com/latest_analysis.php

Explosions on Moscow’s Metro system underscore the ongoing terrorist threat in Russia

Published March 30, 2010 Corporate Security , Crisis Management , Travel Security Leave a Comment

On 29 March, two explosions at Metro stations in Russia’s capital, Moscow, during the early morning rush hour, left dozens of people dead and many more injured. The first explosion occurred just before 08:00 (local time) at the Lubyanka station, located on the Sokolnicheskaya line (red line) in central Moscow, leaving at least 25 people dead and ten others injured. The second blast happened about thirty minutes later at the Park Kultury station, located further south on the same line, leaving at least 12 people dead. Initial reports indicate that the explosions were coordinated attacks and carried out by two female suicide bombers. Unconfirmed reports indicate that other explosive devices, which did not detonate, have also been found near other stations. Considering these attacks occurred during the morning rush hour, it appears that the attackers were seeking to cause a maximum number of casualties.

Read more about this threat by visiting our latest analysis page – http://www.red24.com/latest_analysis.php

Earthquake in Haiti

Published January 13, 2010 Corporate Security , Crisis Management , Travel Security , Uncategorized Leave a Comment

A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck 15km south west of Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, at approximately 16:53 local time (21:53 GMT) on 12 January. The quake was followed by many powerful aftershocks. A tsunami watch was issued for Haiti, as well as neighbouring Dominican Republic and the nearby islands of Cuba and the Bahamas; however, no tsunamis have been reported. The number of casualties has not yet been determined, although hundreds of people remain unaccounted for and fears are high that casualty figures could be in the thousands.

For more on this situation, go to http://www.red24.com/latest_analysis.php

Political killings in Mindanao, Philippines

Published November 25, 2009 Uncategorized Leave a Comment

On 23 November, around 100 unidentified gunmen hijacked a six-vehicle convoy and kidnapped dozens of people in the municipality of Shariff Aguak, the capital of the southern Philippines province of Maguindanao on Mindanao island. The kidnapping victims included a number of local politicians, their families and supporters, as well as several journalists and lawyers. A subsequent search revealed that at least 52 members of the group were killed. Reports indicate that most victims were shot and then buried in a shallow grave. However, there are unconfirmed reports that several victims may have been sexually assaulted before they were killed. It is also currently unclear whether there are any survivors, and a large-scale search is still underway.

If you would like to receive the rest of this article and others like it, please contact enquiries@red24.com or go to our enquiry form at http://www.red24.com/contact.php.

UK’s Corporate Manslaughter Act

Published October 28, 2009 Corporate Security , Crisis Management Leave a Comment

Last year we wrote a piece on the new Corporate Manslaughter Act and its implication for businesses. As the issue is still regularly in the press, we thought we’d provide you with an excerpt –

It is systematic of a change in attitude in favour of investigating organisations for manslaughter following work-related deaths, and companies will be held responsible when gross failures by senior management result in death at work. Under the Act, convictions for such corporate negligence will bring about unlimited fines and remedial and publicity orders. As one of the most significant legislative changes to corporate responsibilities in British legal history, the new Act has far-reaching implications for a wide range of organisations and increases the pressure on all to meet their ‘duty of care’ obligations and make health and safety a high priority.

This new legislation simply makes it easier to convict culpable organisations and criminalises those companies, partnerships and associations whose gross negligence results in death. Companies that have robust health and safety policies have nothing to fear from the Act. However, red24 advises all companies to familiarise themselves with the Act and to thoroughly understand its implications for their businesses.

Moreover, red24 advises companies to review their existing health and safety procedures. They should also, if they have not already done so, appoint someone at senior level to be responsible for corporate health and safety. These individuals need to be competent and have the authority to ensure that health and safety risks are managed. They should drive awareness of both the new Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act and of existing health and safety legislation, throughout all levels of the company. They should ensure that the company has robust health and safety procedures and policies and they should also respond to any questions staff may have and arrange that relevant information is passed on and that a health and safety culture is promoted effectively.

Furthermore, red24 encourages companies to take this opportunity to review their employee travel policies. Although the Act’s jurisdiction only extends to the UK, companies should be aware of their legal liability under existing criminal, civil and employment law, as well as foreign law in the case of employees travelling internationally. As a consequence, companies need to implement risk assessment procedures when deploying employees overseas, carefully evaluating the safety of the destinations in question, as well as the hotels and airlines used. This information, and accompanying advice, needs to be sourced from qualified personnel or appropriate risk management companies.

If you would like information on how red24 can help you provide a duty of care to employees travelling on business, don’t hesitate to contact us on enquiries@red24.com.

Security briefings to appear on unrestricted part of website

Published October 15, 2009 Company News , Travel Security Leave a Comment

To showcase our services, selected excerpts from red24 security briefings and analysis will be appearing on the unrestricted part of our website in a few weeks, so stay tuned.

Excerpt from a recent security briefing on Pakistan below:

‘On 15 October 2009, militants launched three simultaneous attacks on police buildings in Lahore, in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province. The high profile Federal Investigation Agency in the city appeared to be the primary target of the attackers. The militants also launched a raid on Manawan Police Academy, located on the outskirts of Lahore, in the second such incident to take place this year at the elite police training centre. Another police training centre in the Bedyan area of Lahore was the miltant’s third target. At least 26 people were killed in the ensuing gun battles between the militants and security personnel at all three locations, with casualties reported on both sides. In another separate incident earlier in the day, at least ten people were killed and 12 others wounded in a suicide bombing outside a police station in the north western city of Kohat.’

Tsunami kills dozens in the Pacific

Published September 30, 2009 Crisis Management , Travel Security Leave a Comment

Article from our Daily News today -

Tsunami waves, caused by an 8.0 magnitude offshore earthquake, killed scores of people and injured dozens more on the Pacific islands of Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga yesterday. The effects of the earthquake and its resulting tsunami waves also caused widespread property and infrastructural damage, with reports indicating that a number of houses, buildings and roads have been destroyed. The worst affected regions include Samoa’s Upolu and Savaii islands, American Samoa’s Pago Pago region and Tonga’s Niuatoputapu island. Further seismic activity may trigger additional tsunami waves, and travellers are advised to avoid coastal areas until further notice.

New article from info4security – red24 strengthens position in US market with Mackinnon appointment

Published September 30, 2009 Company News , Uncategorized Leave a Comment

red24 has recently appointed Neil Mackinnon as Head of Security for the Americas:

An excerpt from the article published on www.info4security.com -

Global security specialist red24 has appointed Neil Mackinnon head of security for the Americas.
By Brian Sims

With over 20 years’ combined experience in the defence, law enforcement and intelligence industries, Mackinnon is now tasked with driving the expansion of red24’s US-based business. Mackinnon joins to service the organisation’s existing client portfolio, and will play a key part in expanding its Stateside business in the area of corporate security provision.

To read the rest of the article, please click here

Guinea: Crackdown in Conakry

Published September 29, 2009 Uncategorized Leave a Comment

Guinean security forces clashed with anti-government protesters on 28 September near the national stadium in Conakry, leaving at least 87 people dead and dozens more wounded. Among the wounded were a number of prominent opposition leaders, including Cellou Dalein Diallo, the country’s prime minister from 2004 to 2006. Thousands of people had earlier travelled to the stadium to join a rally denouncing the ruling military junta lead by Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, as well as Camara’s recent indication that he may run in the upcoming January 2010 presidential election. A day before the gathering the local authorities had banned all demonstrations and increased security at the stadium; however, opposition groups decided to proceed with the march regardless.

Due to the ongoing instability in the country, red24 advises against all non-essential travel to Guinea, including Conakry.

End of Ramadan – Travel advisory

Published September 18, 2009 Uncategorized Leave a Comment

Muslims will commemorate the end of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr) on 20/21 September, depending on the sighting of the new moon. Eid is usually accompanied by feasting and many people travel to celebrate the time with their family; celebrations can often last two or three days. Transport and service disruptions should be expected in most Muslim countries during this time. This period is also being marked by increased security measures in countries and regions currently battling religious extremism, such as Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, southern Thailand, southern Philippines, Indonesia, Iraq and Afghanistan; security is likely to be particularly tight at ports of entry and in and around religious sites. Travellers should exercise heightened security awareness for the duration of the holiday period, particularly in areas identified as carrying a higher risk, and should expect travel disruptions or delays in places.