Response from Vernon Coaker

Well, I wasn't prepared for the response Ive had from Mr Coaker, although I should have expected it, being from the Home Office after all.
It was less than enthusiastic to say the least.
All he has done is quote the Private Security Act 2001, and the self-defence 'reasonable force' laws.
I might have just as well got some random person off the street to comment on the letter I sent, I probably would have had a better response to be honest.

The full response from Mr Coaker will be available on the new APSO site once it is back up and running.

Slight update...

Well, its a new month, and yet I see that security officers are still being attacked, and the government only seems to care about officers who work as cash in transit officers.
Im not saying they shouldnt be considered for increased protection etc, but at the same time, we have to put up with attacks as they do.
Obviously attacks against the rest of us are less frequent as we dont carry large amounts of cash around, but we still get attacked, and they are becoming more frequent as time goes on.

Have I received any kind of response from Mr Coaker? Nope.
Am I expecting one in the next few weeks? Nope.
Am I surprised? Not in the slightest.

Ive had some more interest from individual officers of late.
Hopefully this will increase, but unless it does, all of our efforts will be completely pointless.

We'll just have to see really.

Letter from Helen Goodman....

This morning, I have received a letter from my local MP, Helen Goodman, advising that she received the email I sent to her to forward onto the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith.

Has it gone to her...? No.
It has instead gone through to Vernon Coaker MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Home Office, who apparently has responsibility for the Security Industry Authority.

If I knew it was only going to go there, I would have contacted him directly, as I may have had a response by now.

Oh well... just going to have to keep waiting really.