Energy meter reader trespass??

uk1

MothballsWallet wrote: »

The only thing management never misinterpret is their pay rise.

Quite right. But not permanent!

And next Tuesday The Home Affairs Committee will be questioning the ceo on the latest range of fiascos. It feels like a major organisation imploding under the combined effect of bad luck, extremely poor management and a workforce out of control. Many of their current and hoped for contracts are being cancelled, reviewed and closely scrutinised. Nick Buckles may be making a (swan song) sink or swim appearance next Tuesday:

New and damaging allegations against G4S staff – ranging from a rape accusation to claims of theft, drug-taking and a major security breach – emerged yesterday, prompting renewed calls for a full investigation into the company's performance.

The demand comes weeks after thousands of soldiers were deployed after the company confessed it could not recruit 10,400 security staff for the Olympic Games.

The Home Affairs Select Committee is to investigate the new claims as it resumes its inquiry into G4S this week. Its chairman, Keith Vaz, told The Independent on Sunday: "I'm very concerned about these allegations and we do need to make sure that they are properly examined. It is in G4S's interest to make sure it happens."

One of the recent scandals to hit the company involves the alleged rape of an 18-year-old G4S worker by an older colleague. It was reported to police 10 days ago and a man was arrested. He is on bail pending further inquiries.

This is the latest in a series of arrests of G4S workers over the past few months, "for things like theft and other dishonesty-type offences, which is obviously a concern", according to a police inspector seconded to an Olympic security role.

Speaking under condition of anonymity, he said: "There have been instances of uniforms missing, stolen out of vans. Members of staff have just disappeared off the radar; they can't be found. So there have been obviously concerns about people in the G4S uniform and with passes … because there is a significant number of people out there who might not be bona fide."

A G4S spokesman confirmed that "there have been some arrests" and that uniforms and passes had gone missing, but added: "Even if someone is in, say, a stolen uniform and even if they've got a pass, that won't get them into any venues, so it doesn't pose a security threat."

At one Olympic venue, Hadleigh Farm in Essex, it is alleged G4S failed a security test earlier this year when, according to a source within the company's security operation, a fake bomb and firearm were smuggled in. G4S strongly denies this. "There has been no incident involving a test of security at Hadleigh Farm, Essex, with a firearm getting past G4S security," said a spokesman, and there has been "no occasion" where a fake bomb has "evaded G4S scrutiny".

The company describes Hadleigh Farm as a venue "where security procedures have run particularly smoothly", yet less than a week before the Olympics began a local reporter managed to get past security and on to the site because large parts of the perimeter were unguarded.

Claims have emerged about Lord's cricket ground, with G4S staff alleged to have been discovered spitting in the tea of soldiers based there and stealing food and even a police uniform. G4S maintains that none of these particular allegations is true.

Two G4S workers were given a warning when caught smoking cannabis at Lord's on 31 July, according to a source close to police there. The Metropolitan Police was unable to confirm or deny the allegation. G4S claims: "There is no record of cannabis use at Lord's by G4S staff."

Senior policing figures will give evidence to the select committee on Tuesday, with the Home Secretary, Theresa May, appearing two days later. The main focus remains on Nick Buckles, the company's chief executive, who will appear before the committee next week. He is expected to argue that the Olympic contract is unique and does not represent the wider work of G4S.

G4S said: "We take any allegations made against our staff very seriously and will carry out full investigations as soon as these are brought to our attention."

Sadly this pattern of behaviour - mirrored a bit here - doesn't bode well for either shareholders or innocent staff. This has all of the ingredients of an an organisation on a South trajectory - there are not many orgainsations that could survive this without major surgery.

Jamie_Carter

sacsquacco wrote: »

Thanks Uk1, hope you are still saying the meter reader attempted to" burgle " your property. We have heard a lot from you on here hijacking Steffyoaks post. Personally i would dealy love to hear the other side of the coin, i.e. the meter readers story of your ridiculous claim that he threw a strop because he did nt get to read a meter, and then deliberately ran over some ornament of yours in revenge. as we are failing to get to read meters all day and every day i reckon he must be insane if thats his answer to a no access to a meter. i work for G4S also, if you would like to pm me i would be delighted to give you my name to pass on to this G4S manager if you think i am not doing my job properly.
Take it from me mate, that district team manager was just attempting to humour you and calm you down a bit. Out here in the real world things happen differently to how you d like them to. Now you are implying (after a farmer got away with blasting away at intruders with a twelve bore i presume ) its ok for you to "take appropriate action" to deal with what you consider to be an intruder by reaching for something to hand. I hope I dont happen to poke my head round your side gate.

Out there in the real world you don't have the right to just do what you want, regardless of anyones property or privacy.

And we all know that G4S aren't the best organised company in the UK, don't we?

Jamie_Carter

sacsquacco wrote: »

I am not at all worried if G4S are pleased with my posts on here, i am not trying to be a model employee and be a good advert for G4S as I have other agenda s .You have gone a bit too far in your rants on a couple of points, nothing what we havent heard on here before. I will definitely bear your implied threat in mind the next time i head down the side or rear of a property, that is, that theres nutters out there likely to take a swing at me with a length of four by two. I also took a great deal of interest in the shotgun farmer story. if you think that the one episode where he got away with it now gives every one carte blanche permission to dish whatever they fancy out to intruders,trespassers etc you are mistaken

I think that is quite obvious. You deserve to be sacked with your attitude.

chanz4

is any company? if you check your utility contract you will find that you allow readers access to read your meter.

Jamie_Carter

Terrylw1 wrote: »

At least she could pull witnesses into the issue...with them being glued to their back bedroom windows!

No disrespect to anyone on either side of the argument, but some things to consider:

- what was done before deregulation? So, is this a new practice or something carried forward from the old boards? Has it come due to pressure from suppliers regarding No Access %'s and the readers managers suggesting it?

- what is the legal stance on this? If they are allowed by law, the homeowner doesn't have much ground and in the case of the naked sunbather, the meter reader wouldn't be held responsible for legally endorsed actions that go awry due to the customer doing that.

- they also look through your windows at times as they confirm if properties are vacant or occupied this way. This was around before deregulation but is it right? Personally, I hate this and would be very unpleasant about it if it happens.

UK1, glad you have got somewhere. I would suggest you get that in writing because its possible that district manager has lied to get out of a difficult situation...I've heard all sorts of garbage over the years which often appears on this board. He could easily add a note to the handheld to say "do not try to access via gates" so you think its sorted as you never see it again, but it carries on. If you have it in writing, great, it can be used? Its also possible that via customer complaints, ifs forced a change in process?

It isn't allowed by law. A meter reader should get the permission of the householder.

NeverEnough

I have followed the thread with interest and feel I need to say that my experience of meter readers is similar to that of uk1, unfortunately.
Around here they all seem to think they can do as they please, snoop and nose around our property and if someone happens to be at home, arrogantly and sneeringly demand access (which is always refused if the "attititude" is like that). They then become very threatening about how they will force entry.

I have an online tariff with Scottish Power and provide the readings they require so the only "visits" from these pathetic little wimps should be the forced/mandatory Snoop Around and Swipe/Break/Sneer Visit (disguised as the so-called "Safety" Inspection - some clown who is not a trained electrician or a gas safe-certified engineer has no more knowledge than other householders about what constitutes a SAFE installation - its just a forced meter reading, nothing more. ) Unfortunately, they harass and annoy us with far more regularity than that yearly visit.

We also own an adjoining property with Npower services, and they seem to employ the most obstructive and stupid meter reading contracters ever, if G4S can indeed be trunped, but thereby hangs another tale.

Suffice to say I have yet to meet a meter reader who doesn't think they are above the law, very very special and somehow has the right to barge into my home at will on any old occasion they see fit to turn up. It is my pleasure, when such attitudes are shown, to tell them to sod off.

Mandatory meter readings are done by appointment ONLY on our property, on a day and time slot of my choosing, not at the meter readers pleasure!!!

We have CCTV covering our property as well and there is NO REQUIREMENT for signage indicating same on a private property and of course the CCTV can be used as evidence!! The local Police have asked us for footage on a few occasions when there were local incidents, we have of course been happy to oblige. The more householders who install CCTV to catch out thieving couriers and meter readers with bad attitudes and tantrums, as well as the general ne'er do good breaking in to your premises or stealing from you, the better.

uk1

My hero.:j

uk1

[FONT=Arial Black, sans-serif]How about:[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial Black, sans-serif]MeterReaders[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial Narrow, sans-serif]Strictly by prior appointment ONLY[/FONT]

◘ [FONT=Arial Narrow, sans-serif]Do not Knock or Ring [/FONT]

◘ [FONT=Arial Narrow, sans-serif]Do not try gates or doors[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial Black, sans-serif]CCTV images of offenders will be forwarded to the meter reading and utility company for disciplinary action[/FONT]

chanz4

NeverEnough wrote: »

I have followed the thread with interest and feel I need to say that my experience of meter readers is similar to that of uk1, unfortunately.
Around here they all seem to think they can do as they please, snoop and nose around our property and if someone happens to be at home, arrogantly and sneeringly demand access (which is always refused if the "attititude" is like that). They then become very threatening about how they will force entry.

I have an online tariff with Scottish Power and provide the readings they require so the only "visits" from these pathetic little wimps should be the forced/mandatory Snoop Around and Swipe/Break/Sneer Visit (disguised as the so-called "Safety" Inspection - some clown who is not a trained electrician or a gas safe-certified engineer has no more knowledge than other householders about what constitutes a SAFE installation - its just a forced meter reading, nothing more. ) Unfortunately, they harass and annoy us with far more regularity than that yearly visit.

We also own an adjoining property with Npower services, and they seem to employ the most obstructive and stupid meter reading contracters ever, if G4S can indeed be trunped, but thereby hangs another tale.

Suffice to say I have yet to meet a meter reader who doesn't think they are above the law, very very special and somehow has the right to barge into my home at will on any old occasion they see fit to turn up. It is my pleasure, when such attitudes are shown, to tell them to sod off.

Mandatory meter readings are done by appointment ONLY on our property, on a day and time slot of my choosing, not at the meter readers pleasure!!!

We have CCTV covering our property as well and there is NO REQUIREMENT for signage indicating same on a private property and of course the CCTV can be used as evidence!! The local Police have asked us for footage on a few occasions when there were local incidents, we have of course been happy to oblige. The more householders who install CCTV to catch out thieving couriers and meter readers with bad attitudes and tantrums, as well as the general ne'er do good breaking in to your premises or stealing from you, the better.

cctv cant be used as evidence unless signs are used, private property or note.

Inregards to reads, if you are obstructive they could always put suspected tamper code through on their handheld. The rpu will have great pleasure in breaking in and no notice is required.

uk1

chanz4 wrote: »

cctv cant be used as evidence unless signs are used, private property or note.

Inregards to reads, if you are obstructive they could always put suspected tamper code through on their handheld. The rpu will have great pleasure in breaking in and no notice is required.

May I suggest that this idiot is treated as a troll. Firstly he will know the CCTV stuff is garbage and he also knows that no one is going to break in without (a) a court order (b) notice being served and ignored. A magistrate will not issue an order unless the utility company can prove that they have tried all other alternatives.

He is either a complete nincompoop or a troll. Either way. Let's ignore.