Latest news with #AlisonShaw
RNZ News
7 days ago
- RNZ News
Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority cancels licences for guards accused of turning up to police events
By Jeremy Wilkinson, Open Justice reporter of The authority said Brent and Alison Shaw should have paid for the right security licence before they paid to have signwriting on their car. Photo: House and Farm Security / Facebook A security guard drew the ire of police for allegedly showing up to events and questioning witnesses, sometimes before the real cops turned up. Brent Shaw also painted a Toyota Wish with orange and blue patterns and lights similar to a police vehicle, and reportedly wore a uniform similar to actual police uniforms. Police became concerned that Shaw and an employee of his security business, House and Farm Security Service, were listening to police communications with a scanner and listed occasions where they would arrive at incidents in their security uniforms and signwritten vehicle, and collect information from people involved before police could arrive. The police radio frequency can be listened to in regional areas of New Zealand, but is encrypted within the main city centres. This prompted police to make a complaint to the Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority, which handles complaints about licensed security guards. Shaw and his wife Alison both had Certificates of Approval to work as employed security guards but didn't have a licence to run their own business because they couldn't afford the annual fees. Despite this, Shaw and an employee who didn't hold any kind of security licence would drive around New Plymouth in their signwritten vehicle for their unlicensed security business, House and Farm Security Service. The business advertised extensively through flyers, social media and business cards but only generated $320 worth of income in that period. According to a ruling by the authority released this week, the Shaws were found to have been running their business without a licence, and to have hired an employee to work as a security guard without a certificate of approval. "The fact the business was not successful and earned very little money does mean House and Farm Security Service does not fit within the definition of a crowd controller or property guard …" authority head Trish McConnell said. "Before spending money on their vehicle, uniforms, flyers and advertising Mr and Mrs Shaw should have applied for a security licence." Part of the Shaws' argument in response to the complaint from police was that they hadn't hired an employee because they didn't get any regular work, but had him work a one-off security gig at a local festival. McConnell said this was a breach of the licensing rules and in addition, they had allowed that worker to wear a uniform for several months and hold himself out as a legitimate security worker. It's the second time Shaw has fallen foul of the authority after receiving a warning in 2017 for operating a similar business without a licence. McConnell described the Shaws' conduct as "intentional and ongoing" and despite being warned about needing a licence, they didn't get one. McConnell cancelled both Brent and Alison Shaw's personal security licences and fined them $800, which was the cost of the annual licence for their business that they didn't pay when they set it up. Brian Shaw told NZME he denied having a scanner capable of listening to police communications, and turning up at incidents before actual police to talk to witnesses. Shaw claimed instead that on one occasion he had witnessed a car accident and taken down the details of a driver who had left the scene, which he passed on to police. * This story originally appeared in the New Zealand Herald .
North Wales Chronicle
29-04-2025
- General
- North Wales Chronicle
Bangor residents celebrate Afon Cegin river despite concerns
Over the weekend, people gathered at the river to celebrate the waterway and learn about how pollution affects the river's ecosystem. The event, which was called Dwr yw Bywyd! Water is Life!, was organised by Extinction Rebellion Bangor. The aim was to bring attention to the condition of our waterways and to urge the government to regulate the discharge of pollutants into our rivers. The walk along Lon Las Ogwen, which connects Port Penrhyn in Bangor to Bethesda and Llyn Ogwen, included a theatre with a River Goddess. It attracted attention from people concerned about the state of the rivers and the loss of species who live in them, as well as people who enjoy rivers for recreation. Alison Shaw, a retired teacher from Conwy who attended the event, said: "It was great to see so many people gather at Afon Cegin at the Lon Las cycle track to show their concern for our precious rivers. "We are asking our water companies and governments to be accountable and take proper action to protect the health of our people and ecosystems." Water Vole plaque (Image: Supplied) According to Extinction Rebellion Bangor, 66 per cent of rivers in Wales do not meet good ecological standards. Pollution poses a risk to water users by increasing the chances of contracting harmful illnesses, while sewage contamination harms natural river and ocean ecosystems and habitats. A scientific study by North Wales Rivers Trust has identified pollution from sewage, chemicals and metals in the water downstream of Llandygai Industrial Estate. This pollution harms fish and other river species, along with the wildlife and plants along the riverbank. The Afon Cegin flows into the sea, impacting both swimmers and marine life. In October 2021, the UK government voted against a proposal that would have prevented water companies from discharging waste directly into rivers and seas. The ongoing failure to effectively address sewage pollution has caused significant controversy.
