A SECURITY supervisor who keeps watch over thousands of shoppers and dozens of businesses at Blackburn's Mall has won a national award.

Gareth Stead-Clark, who works for Vision Security Group (VSG), received the Security Personnel Award for Best Use of Technology from the National British Security Industry Association (BSIA).

Since being promoted to a supervisor three years ago, Gareth has been involved in several technology-based projects, including enhancing the CCTV systems and moving the security database information from paper to an online program.

He was praised for keeping on top of technical advances in the security industry. Ian Fisher, account director at VSG, said: “Gareth is very passionate about any project he gets involved in, and has great enthusiasm in seeing a project through to completion.”

Gareth, who won the regional award before taking the national prize, said: “I am so pleased that my peers have taken the time to put me forward for this award and, of course, to have won. The project was to help make life easier for the people I work alongside.”

Commander Steve Rodhouse, commander for gang and organised crime for the Metropolitan Police, presented Gareth with his award at the London Hilton on Park Lane.