The Thames Barrier is one of the world’s largest moveable flood barriers, protecting central London from tidal surges. The security of the Barrier is vital and it is MITIE who have been trusted with the challenge of managing their security operations for the next two years with the renewal of a significant contract. 

The Barrier attracts a range of visitors, from interested members of the public to VIP guests and film crews. A security partner that can manage these varied and high-profile situations is therefore vital. As the Barrier is a national flood defence all security personnel must undergo Counter Terrorist Check clearance and specific training to understand the unique challenges of the site. 

Protecting 125 square kms of central London, a breach in security at the Barrier could have a dramatic impact on the capital. The Environment Agency therefore needed a partner they could trust to provide 24-hour security service effectively.

“We wanted to work with a company that would take ownership of the security and work effectively with the other on-site personnel. With security required 24 /7 all year round, you need not only a reliable and trusted security provider, but a team that you can work with on a day-to-day basis. This was a key factor in renewing our contract with MITIE.” commented Steve East, The Environment Agency. 

The contract includes on site patrols, 24 hour monitoring of security cameras, and access control. All staff must be fully trained in the event of an alarm activation and know how to manage specific situations whether it be trespassers, safety or maintenance problems. All this activity and training ensures that this key flood defence and the local environment remain in safe hands. 

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For further information, contact: 

David Revis, Marketing and PR Manager, MITIE Facilities Management
T: 020 7089 7150 M: 07979 702465, E: david.revis@mitie.co.uk

Notes for editors

What is MITIE?
We’re the strategic outsourcing and asset management company.

What does that mean in practice? Providing everything from strategic consultancy, to world-class delivery on the ground. From long-term infrastructure planning, to facilities management, property and engineering services. Our strategic input can add value at the highest level, while our practical management expertise can save customers money and maximise their returns.

At the same time, it’s not just what we do, but how we do it that makes us different. Our people are passionate about what they do, committed to working in partnership with their clients, and will always look for a fresh answer to a new challenge.

We work with our clients in three ways; some take full advantage of our whole range of expertise by buying the whole suite, others may only need one aspect of what we do:

Strategy and consultancy

+ Facilities and project management

+ Service delivery

In other words, we think, we manage, and we deliver.

The thinking phase is all about finding strategic answers to long-term challenges about assets and resources. Facilities and project management puts those plans in place, and our unrivalled range of services is one of the best in the business.

There’s a lot more to MITIE than you probably think. We’re a big company with big ambitions - a leading FTSE 250 support services business, with more than 51,000 people, revenues in excess of £1.5bn, and a reputation for being the best.