Menu

Security Guards Bristol

hire

Why Hire Security Guards for a Private Event?

, , , , ,

Hiring for security guards is one thing you need for an event whether it is private or not. Most people don’t think about of hiring security for a private event. A private event sometimes refers to an outdoor party or within a club or restaurant. It also includes social events like engagement parties, weddings or birthday parties. Private events can also include professional gatherings and conferences.

security guards

At any event, no one wants any disturbances that might create the event to go unsettling to the people at the event. Here are some of the reasons why it is a good idea to hire security guards for your event.

 

What can Security Guards do at the Private Event?

  • Stop Gate Crashers
    • Security guards can stop people who are only looking for free alcohol and party to get through the day. With a security guard there, they can stop any uninvited people from entering the event.
  • Control the Alcohol Flow
    • Many private events have a bar section with their event and a lot of people can get ahead of themselves. With the extra hand of security, they will be able to handle the situation in a proper manner. This will stop the situation from getting out of hand.

 

private event

 

Roles of a Security Guard at a Private Events:

There are many different tasks a security guard must do while at a private event. Here are somethings security guards must do while at them.

  • Stay Inconspicuous
    • No one likes knowing there are security guards are at an event. Especially when they want to cause people to panic or to spoils everyone’s mood. By staying in the background of the event, they can make sure everything runs smoothly while doing their job.
  • Guard the Entrance
    • A security guard will ensure only people who are supposed to enter the event goes through.
  • Stop the Brawls
    • A drunk brawl is one of the worst things that would happen at a private event. It can easily escalate to mass hysteria as many other people may jump into the fight. Security guards will have the experience to stop the fights from getting worse.

Hire your security guard today through Security Guard Bristol today.

keyspage

Why use a Keyholding Service?

,

At Security Guard Bristol, we specialise in Key Holding Security services. But what exactly is a Key Holding Security guard? What do they do? Why are they important to my business? If you ask yourself these questions, we hope you will be able to find the answers you need in this blog.

 

What is a Key Holding Security Service?

Here, at Security Guard Bristol, our key holding service ensures all of your keys are protected by coding, a seckey holdingurity seal and stored within a security safe. These are only issued when they are required to be used.

 

 

Why are they important to a business owner?

There are many reasons why having a professional keyholding team to look after your business.

  • False Alarms
  • Response Time
  • Health and Safety
  • Risk
  • Responsibility

 

False Alarms:

The vast majority of a business’s intruder activations are false alarms. Not only is inconvenient for staff to be called outside of working hours to attend site for a false alarm, but it affects the business as a whole in regards to productivity for the next day.

 

 

Response time:

Not all businesses are lucky enough to have staff that live locally that shall be able to attend site within 20 minutes as per the APCO policy on police response to alarm activations.

 

Responsibility:

All sites should have a minimum of two key holders registered. A nominated key holder must be able to attend all alarm activations and must be contactable on a 24-hour basis. They should also have an understanding of the basic workings of the alarm system and know all contact details and contact numbers when dealing with their Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC).

 

If you would like to find out more about the key holding services we do here, at Security Guard Bristol, you can find it here. Also if you have any enquiries about any of your security needs you can contact us here.

 

Security-Guard

Myths about being a Security Guard

, ,

Every job out there, there are myths about it. This is no different from being a security guard. It could be said there would be more than myths within the security industry than others. Being a security guard is a big job so obviously there would be myths out there. Let us show you 5 myths that can be said about being a security guard and how they can be classed as a misconception of the security industry.

1. Security Jobs are Boring

guard

One misconception that most people have is that working as a Security Guard is boring. This is not at all the case. Security guards are an intricate part of office buildings, shopping malls, clubs, bars, and social events.

By not believing in the job or in yourself while doing the job, it can be called as a vulnerability. Security guards who see their jobs as mundane become easy targets for criminals and troublemakers. The trick to being a good security is understanding that being a security guard is a very important job.

2. Standing guard offers no mental stimulation

Having a career as a security personnel, people initiation think it will be spent standing around and wasting time. If you think this of the security industry, here is why you should think again. Employers are looking for security personnel who are alert and ready for action. Therefore, they are looking for proactive individuals who put their security training to good use. They would be doing this by conducting routine patrols, and searches to look for any risks within that environment.

3. It’s simply too dangerousmyths

Aside from people thinking it is an easy job, other people say the security industry is too risky. What you might not know is that proper security guard training prepares you for any dangerous situations. They also prepare people for how they would help and handle the situation if it were to come up.

4. Security pays too little

While there are security jobs that would pay you low wages. However, a legitimate SIA license will provide you with a qualification. This, therefore, means employers will pay more to hire you for.

5. There’s no room for growth within the industry

This is perhaps one of the biggest misconceptions of the security industry. Just like any other field, there are plenty of opportunities for security personnel to go into different fields. Some of the avenues regular security guards can move into if they receive the proper SIA training include:

  • Bodyguard
  • Security response team management
  • Police
  • CCTV specialist
  • Mall security management
  • Residential security
  • …and lots more.

security

guards

Why are Security Guards Important?

, ,

There are many important reasons why security guards are needed. They help protect schools, banks, businesses, and other important places. Apart from protecting the building, they also protect the people within. Aside from protecting business and buildings, many famous hire security guards to protect them. These are known as bodyguards and are from security guard companies.

Security guards provide a visible opposition to criminals and provide a professional protection for your assets. Here are some examples they help the general public and businesses.

 

security

Shopping Centres

Shopping centres are excellent candidates for a security guard to patrol. These areas can be targets for car theft, robbery, vandalism, muggings and other various forms of crimes. Having a security guard on site can significantly deter these crimes from taking place.

 

Office Buildings

An office building is also important places to have security staff employed. Security guards in office buildings are able to control who is entering the building and can offer services such as signing in all visitors and ensuring that only those who should be in the building are allowed to enter. Another advantage to having security at your office building is that security staff could walk employees to their employees to their vehicles if they happen to work late. Security personnel are also able to deter vandalism inside and outside of the building, as well as protecting the vehicles in the parking lot.

 

Warehouses and Industrial Buildings

Warehouses and industrial buildings can also be targets for thieves to commit a crime. These buildings are normally in quiet and unpopulated areas away from residential zones. Having a security guard patrol a warehouse or industrial property has many benefits. A security guard can ensure that all areas of the building are securely locked and that no unwanted persons enter the property. Having a guard on site or do mobile patrols also creates a presence that may deter a criminal from entering that property. As well a security guard will document all suspicious activity and report anything dangerous immediately to the police.

 

Events

An event is also an excellent place to have security personnel visible. Some events can range anything from concerts, weddings, conferences, sporting events, to other or public functions. Security guards can help ensure that your events go smoothly and that security concerns are dealt with.

trustworthy

How to Prevent Security Breaches from the Inside

, ,

When you think about the sheer number of external security threats your company faces, it is easy to forget about internal perils and dangers. A lot of the time, security breaches come from within an establishment and may be the result of an “inside job.”

Although most businesses will subject new members of staff to in-depth interviews and carry out numerous background checks, you can never be too cautious. Security Guards Bristol is a security company that specializes in protecting companies from external intruders, but we know an ever-present threat exists from internal sources too. So, here is how to prevent security breaches from the inside.

Change passwords and codes regularly

Changing and having to memorize new passwords and codes might be a bit frustrating, but it is highly advisable to keep internal security hazards at bay. Try to change things like alarm codes and computer passwords every 6 months to ensure the companies premises and important data is unreachable and unattainable.

By updating these security methods regularly, you ensure that only trusted employees have control over the businesses most valuable assets. You can speak to us about the technical aspects of changing alarm codes or your IT department regarding regular password reminders.

Disable access to ex-employees

Regardless, whether it was their choice or not, you’re bound to have members of your team leaving the business every now and again. However, failing to deactivate access for ex-employees can be incredibly risky from a security perspective.

If they can still access email accounts or the local intranet, scores of sensitive documents are in danger. On top of that, they may still know alarm codes or have a card to enter the locations. So have a system in place to deactivate access for every member of staff that no longer works for the company.

Provide different passwords and codes for different people

This might be a bit complicated to implement. However, it’s a rather foolproof way of knowing who has access to the building or premises when an occurrence happens. By assigning different passwords and codes to different people, you can simply look at which code was used in the time/area.

The only issue with this is that intruders may have somehow gained access or stolen a member of staff’s security code or password. This might be a current employee or anonymous individual, so don’t jump to assumptions too quickly.

Establish a circle of trust

You are no doubt conscious that company clients and everyday consumers must trust your business if they wanting a deal or make a purchase. However, the same goes for your workforce when it comes to internal safety.

Therefore, try and establish a circle of trust amongst a small group of team members. These should be the people that need to know about things like alarm codes. Be certain that communication does not go beyond this team. This will limit the number of individuals who have access to security measures such as passwords.

For more advice, contact us right here at Security Guards Bristol, a security company that provides key holding. Our service ensures all your keys are protected by coding, a security seal and stored within a security safe, ready to be issued when required.

security

How to Become a Security Guard?

, ,

To work as a professional Security Guard in the UK you need to be licensed by the Security Industry Authority (SIA). Without this licence, it is illegal to work anywhere as a security officer, apart from those wishing to work in-house or employed by a client directly. It’s simple to obtain your licence. You can do this by completing a training course with an SIA recognised training provider. Once you have passed the course, you can apply for your license and pay a fee amount of £220. You will have to renew this license every 3 years.

Providing that you meet all the licensing requirements you’ll then receive your SIA badge within a few or more weeks.

 

Roles of a Security Guard

Security or manned guarding is described by the SIA as activity including any of the following;

  • Guarding premises against unauthorised access or occupation, against outbreaks of disorder or against damage
  • Guarding property against destruction or damage, against being stolen or against being otherwise dishonestly taken or obtained.

 

guard

As you can see above a security guard is there to protect property and the people within the building from criminal damage and/or injury. They can also perform a loose form of surveillance. An example of performing surveillance would be monitoring shoppers in a busy shopping centre, or discreetly following a suspected shoplifter. To make sure you are doing this to your best of your ability, you will need to be able to remain calm and controlled in potentially stressful situations. In times of emergency, such as building fires etc., people will turn to you for guidance on the best way to get out of the dangerous environment. Although it is classified as one of the first rungs on the career ladder of the security industry, it can often carry a great deal of responsibility.

 

Getting Your SIA Security Licence

As always the first thing to do above all else is checking your eligibility to obtain an SIA licence. From time to time again people fail to check if they are eligible for a licence. For example, when they are trying to become a Door Supervisor. After passing the training course and paying the licence fee, they’re declines for a failed criminal check. Not only do you lose the licence fee, you have also lost the money you have paid for the training you cannot use. If you are planning to apply for any form of training within this industry, you should check your eligibility using the SIA Criminal Record Indicator. There are other points to consider and these are:

  • You must be over 18 years of age
  • You must be eligible to work in the UK
  • Long working hours (a typical security guard shift is 12 hours)
  • Can be a very lonely job
  • Pay can vary between minimum wage and £15 per hour (although most Security Guarding jobs pay at the lower end of this scale)
  • Need a reasonable level of fitness

 

What do I do now?

If you are interested in having a career as a Security Guard or would like to have one as a weekend job, the next thing you need to do is to look for a training provider. For this, you need to choose well. You may look for the cheapest training provider you find, however, this might not be a good fit for you. Remember this job could put you in dangerous situations so you need to make sure you are confident in your training.

Remember to use Google effectively – Google is your friend. Research any training provider you consider till you feel confident it will be the best place for you. Search for reviews and visit forums such as Close Protection World to research further into training providers. Make sure you are 100% happy with the company you choose.

Once you have decided on which company to go with, you’ll have at least 27 hours of learning about the job. The three main topics you’ll study are;

  • Work within the Private Security Industry
  • Work as a Security Guard
  • Conflict Management for the Private Security Industry

Once you have completed your course, you will sit an exam. If you have completed and passed the exam you’ll be eligible for the SIA licence. To apply for this, you can request an application pack from their number or from their website here. Remember there is a £220 non-refundable fee that you will have to pay when applying for your licence. The licensing period now lasts a few weeks from application to receiving your SIA license in the post. However, there has been a considerable delay at times of a few months so just be aware. Once you have received your licence, you can now start looking for a suitable Security Company you would like to work for.

security guards

The Importance of Store Security

, ,

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.0.99″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|31.7813px|0px”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.99″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.99″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.99″]

The retail industry is an important part of the UK’s economy, generating ­entire sales of £321 billion last year, according to a report from the Bristol Retail Consortium. Retail is the largest UK private sector employer, with over 3 million staffs in the industry.

Recently, there have been rising concerns over retail-related crime which continues to impose on the sector, costing millions of pounds each year and restricting its development.

At the start of this year, the BRC released a report following a survey of 30 big and small retailers, which together account for 51% of the whole retail sector in terms of turnover. The results discovered that shoplifting alone amounted to £511 million in losses in 2012-2013. Throughout the same period, the average value of in-store theft raised by 62% to £177, while losses were 166% higher than those recorded just 5 years ago.

Furthermore, during the same stage there were 766,227 offences reported to the BRC by the retailers contributing in the poll, which roughly equates to 2.7 million crimes across the whole sector. Though already worryingly excessive, this figure only accounts for employee theft, customer theft, robbery, burglary, criminal, fraud and criminal damage, so in actual fact the actual number of crime is likely to be considerably higher.

If you own a retail trade, there’s no doubt that security is on the frontage of your mind, especially as crime figures continue to rise. What you want is a setting that is both comfortable and attractive to your customers, but one that is as safe and protected as it possibly can be. Security measures include everything you do to shield yourself, your employees, customers and the store, including your stock. Firstly, what store surveillance do you have? Security mirrors and CCTV cameras are decent anti-theft devices, enabling you to track and monitor people inflowing and leaving your store.

 

 

However, CCTV cameras and mirrors alone are not good enough, as many thieves have found ways of avoiding these systems. For added protection, you may want to contemplate hiring retail security staff: from uniformed officers to store detectives, highly trained, skilled personnel on your side will aid to safeguard your store and keep you, your employees and your customers well-protected.

Nowadays, the mainstream of stores use Electronic Article Surveillance tools. This means ‘tagging’ your products and installing a detector system near the entrance of your store, so that an alarm noises if the tag has not been deactivated. EAS technologies can act as a great shoplifting deterrent, mainly if a security guard is present near the store’s exit to check any bags that set off the alarm.

 

 

At the end of your working day, you want to lock-up your store safe in the awareness that it’s secure as possibly. A burglar alarm is a vital piece of kit for your store, but you may also want to contemplate specific motion sensor cameras too. You should invest in durable, high-quality locks and a shutter for extra protection.

When it comes to safeguarding your trade business, not just one method will work on its own. By employing a mixture of different security technologies and actions you will provide a safe and comfortable environment for your customers and staff, knowing that your business is well-protected.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”] [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Bristol crime map

Check out Bristol Crime Map in your Area

,

Bristol has a long and grim history of crime. Amelia Dyer, possibly the most prolific female serial killer in history, murdered infants over a 20 year period. Joanna Yeates, a landscape architect from Hampshire, was reported as missing on the 17 December 2010 and was later found in Failand, having been strangled to death. And then there is the unsolved case of siblings June and Royston Sheasby, who at just seven and five, disappeared in June 1957. The case is still unsolved.

Along with these particularly shocking examples, there are of course the more mundane crimes happening in the city all the time: shoplifting, car theft, and pick pocketing, for instance.

So how are Bristolians fighting back against crime? And what tools are they using to do this? In what follows we consider some of the ways in which Bristol security is tackling crime head on.

Crime Maps

Thanks to the Bristol Post there is now an interactive crime map which plots where these events are taking place. The map can be found at the following link: http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/bristol-crime-map-your-street-26071

Defensive Architecture

Defensive Architecture, which includes features such as skate-stoppers (the metal obstructions fitted to street furniture to prevent skateboarding) and anti-homeless spikes, is a controversial topic. Its exponents assert the importance of preserving the fabric of our city, its detractors say that it impinges on our civil liberties. Where are the homeless meant to sleep, if we deter them even from our street corners? And where should the kids go to play, if not out in our cities, where they might engage with the rest of the public? In short, no one has the answers to these questions. But a cursory Google search will reveal that there is much debate over the issue.

Tactical deployment of Police force

We have come to expect trouble when certain football teams play one another. Gone are the days of fights on the terraces, but still the trouble spills out on to the streets, as it did recently in North Street, Bedminster. Two fans were rushed to hospital after the fight, and a crime scene was established on the road, which police blocking it for some time after the event. Since then locals have reported seeing an increased police presence outside of pubs and the stadium for all sporting events, with horses also regularly passing through the area.

These are just some of the many ways in which Bristolians are tackling crime, if you know of any novel projects similar to these, please do let us know!

Back To Top
Designed by
All rights reserved - Bristol Security Guards