Octavian awarded Coventry city centre Ikea contractPublished on 12 August 2008  Octavian Security, the security company that famously placed former Ghurkha soldiers on patrol at an IKEA store in Nottingham, is now helping to provide a safe, enjoyable shopping environment for staff and customers at the Swedish company's first city centre store in Coventry.
In its latest major retail security operation, the industry-leading security firm is supporting the IKEA risk team at the outlet, which boasts more than 50 room settings and a 455-seater restaurant. In addition to providing strategic security advice and carrying out reception and telephone duties, Octavian staff will provide till support, cash-in-transit protection, alarm control, CCTV analysis and undertake security patrols. Octavian Security, part of the internationally-operating and award-winning Octavian Group, was also involved in the operation to secure the construction works when the building was being developed, and provided almost 80 officers when the store was officially opened. "This has been a fantastic opportunity for us to be involved throughout all the stages of construction and development, with our strategic security experience proving to be invaluable for IKEA," explains Octavian Security contract manager Neville Forbes. "Retail security is certainly a specialism that we are developing, as we have experience in a range of security issues that have to be combined when dealing with outlets." Back in April 2006, Octavian Security secured international acknowledgement of its innovative ideas when it placed former Ghurkha officers at the IKEA store in Giltbrook, Nottingham. The move has helped the site reduce car crime to an almost zero level. Richard Ansell, Coventry Store Manager, said: "We want our staff and customers to enjoy their experience at IKEA. Working closely together with all our partners, including Octavian, the Coventry store leads the way in retail security." | 
