Waiter traps predator as he spikes his date’s wine

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Title – Waiter traps predator as he spikes his date’s wine.
Source – The Daily Mail
Date – 3rd March 2007

The staff working within the licensed retail sector and the security industry generally find themselves on the front page of a newspaper when things go wrong, the image of these staff is often perceived in a very negative light. So when we have good news, it is always a disappointment to see it only reported in the back pages of the newspapers. Individuals like Kevin Murphy should be applauded for their vigilance; in this case he almost certainly saved the lady in question, from a serious drug assisted sexual assault.

Drug assisted sexual assault or rape is a serious problem for all staff working within bars, clubs and restaurants, it is the duty of all staff to have the basic knowledge they need, to be able to observe and recognise the signs and symptoms of these predators and intervene when they believe individuals are in danger. It is an area that the press have certainly sensationalised to the point where some reports lead us to believe that almost every drink has been spiked. That is certainly not the case, but one spiking is enough for the industry to take the matter very seriously.


We run a number of courses during which the subject of drink spiking is examined and measures are looked at to enable all staff to assist in the prevention and detection of those that might choose to spike someone else’s drink. Our In-House Security Induction Courses (IHSI) and National Certificate for Door Supervisors (NCDS) both address the subject and through Consultancy Projects and advice we can offer those working within the licensed retail sector, we can help organisations and venues to provide some protection to their customers.



Please visit our website at http://www.btbl.co.uk/

Attack on NHS staff every 7 minutes

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Title – Attack on NHS staff every 7 minutes
Source – The Daily Mail
Date – 26th February 2007

Workplace violence and its effects are finally starting to be taken seriously by employers and employees alike. In highly volatile areas such as the NHS the levels of violence and aggression from patients seem to have reached an epidemic level, with headlines like this one declaring an assault taking place on NHS staff every 7 minutes and over 75,000 attacks taking place each year.

The NHS has in some cases taken the lead in training and ensuring staff are given the appropriate protection, but the violence continues unabated and is often related to drink and drug problems which are acknowledged to be getting worse year on year. The outlook does therefore not look very positive.


But companies like Beyond The Blue are offering part of the solution. Through our Conflict Management and Resolution Courses (CMR) and Physical Intervention Courses (PI) we help individuals working in volatile environments to learn key skills related to their own workplace, to be in a better position to deal with this growing problem. We address ways of resolving situations without the need to resort to force, something which most health care workers are simply not prepared to do, as it contradicts everything they stand for.



Please visit our website at www.btbl.co.uk

GBH on the NHS: The reporters story

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Title – GBH on the NHS: The reporters story
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 26th February 2007

Staff in many different environment suffer from workplace violence, bar staff, waiters & waitresses, door supervisors, council staff, transport workers and teachers As despicable as any violence against anyone performing a public duty, attacks on the staff of the NHS are all too common. These staff work on the front line of a war every night from drunks, drug users and those that just don’t have any respect for people trying to help them when they most need it.

Workplace Violence affects workers in all sorts of roles and they can all benefit from measures that responsible employers take to reduce violence, protect their staff and train them in basic skills to reduce the incidence of violence and resolve it when it arises.

NHS staff are on the front line of work place violence and have started to take measures to prevent the regularity of assault on staff, some that can lead to severe and permanent injuries.
At Beyond The Blue we run Conflict Management & Resolution Courses (CMR) for employers who are looking for ways to reduce the risks presented by aggression and violence in their workplace. The aggression itself is often just the tip of the iceberg and the problems of stress and fear and the associated costs, can be reduced by providing key skills training.

Please visit our website www.btbl.co.uk

Extra guards for violent patient

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Title – Extra guards for violent patient
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 26th February 2007

Abusive patients can cause the health services difficulties beyond all reasonable control, they put doctors and nurses in impossible positions, the dilemma between their own safety, the safety of other staff and their dedication to help everybody who needs it equally.

But individuals are not the biggest problem, the general attitude within the NHS that people it treats can act violently towards staff without consequence and in an environment where tolerance is not just a skill, but a devotion, is eroding the service and contributing to some of our societies most dedicated and professional carers leaving the organisation.

Training is a key element in reducing the risks and giving staff confidence, it can have a significant effect. We runs courses in Conflict Management & Resolution (CMR) helping individuals working in fields where workplace violence is a concern, to gain the skills to deal effectively with aggressive or violent situations they may face, without the need to resort to outdated overzealous techniques that may cause harm to themselves or others.
Our Physical Intervention Courses (PI) can add a further layer of protection to staff on the front line, specialising in low impact techniques our break-away and disengagement skills are designed to allow individuals to master them quickly and effectively. This enables you to extricate yourself from situations when they turn violent.

Please visit our website at www.btbl.co.uk

Violence cost NHS ‘£100m a year’

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Title – Violence cost NHS ‘£100m a year’
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 26th February 2007

Violence seems to be accepted as part of our modern day society but that doesn’t mean that society has to accept it. Not only does violence cost millions of pounds each year to society as a whole, but individual companies and organisations have to foot much of the bill themselves; this latest estimate putting the cost of violence to the NHS at £100million every year.

Not only does it cost, more importantly it often seems to be directed at people who’s only ambition is to help those committing the violence. There can be no excuse ever to act aggressively or violently towards NHS staff, it is a fact that not only cost millions that should be spent on health care itself but places stress on those people who dedicate their lives to helping others. Stress and fear are two factors that no one wants health care employees to feel when they are treating us, in our hour of most need.

Staff within the NHS as well as many other areas can reduce some of the stress and anxiety experienced in the workplace by attending a Conflict Management & Resolution Course (CMR) or in the most volatile workplaces a Physical Intervention Course (PI). This enables them to be able to physically deal with aggressors when required as a last resort.
We offer courses in managing conflict and specialises in helping staff who work in environments where they come under pressure from members of the public and are vulnerable from workplace violence.

Please visit our website at www.btbl.co.uk

Party drug that killed my sister should be classed alongside heroin.

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Title – Party drug that killed my sister should be classed alongside heroin.
Source – Evening Standard
Date – 25th January 2007

Understanding the actual effects of drugs rather then folklore enables individuals to make educated decisions, so whenever a tragic death occurs there are calls for tougher drug legislation. The class any drug falls into is often falsely taken as a sign of its potency and the dangers involved with its use. Unfortunately with any drug classed below the A rating, a public perception of relative innocence follows and this is certainly not the case.

A reaction to any drug can lead to medical complications and in the worst cases death. Individuals working within industries where drug use is prevalent have to understand the nature of drugs and drug related symptoms and behaviour. Those working within the Security Industry, Licensed Retail Sector, Universities, Health Services, Working with Young People and Local Authorities are just few of the individuals to whom this knowledge is essential.


We run the BIIAB National Certificate for Licensees Drug Awareness course (NCLDA), In-House Security Induction courses (IHSI), Conflict Management & Resolution courses (CMR), National Certificate for Door Supervisors (NCDS) courses and provides Consultancy Services to various industries. These courses contain the latest information on current drug trends and information on individual drugs, their dangers and affects. Candidates leave our courses fully prepared to work effectively in their particular environments.



Please visit our wbsite at www.btbl.co.uk

Crystal meth made a class A drug

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Title – Crystal meth made a class A drug
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 18th January 2007

Methamphetamine otherwise known as methylamphetamine or desoxyephedrine and under the street-names crystal meth, tina, krank, tweak, and ice has reached epidemic levels in many parts of the world including the USA, Australia and South East Asia. In the UK steps have now been taken to re-classify it as a Class A drug before what is currently a small user group, expands to the almost pandemic proportions of other countries.

We run In-House Security Induction Courses (IHSI) that cover all aspects of the role and responsibilities and key skills of those working within the Security Industry and the licensed retail sector specific to their venues. These courses consider the current situation from a legal standpoint as well as the signs and symptoms of use and users. We examine the particular demographic of the venues customers to enable us to focus on the most relevant information.
We also run BIIAB National Certificate for Licensees Drug Awareness Course (NCLDA) and the National Certificate for Door Supervisors Courses (NCDS) which also cover aspects of illegal drug awareness and understanding.

Please visit our website at www.btbl.co.uk