10 essential pieces of equipment a Security Guard can’t live without

10 essential pieces of equipment a Security Guard can’t live without

Being a security guard can be risky business. Whilst their role is to protect, it’s easy to overlook their own personal safety. Lack of adequate safety measures can put a security guard at unnecessary risk, so regardless of whether their job is to protect people, property, or assets, being equipped with the right protection is crucial to ensure their personal safety isn't compromised.

So what protection is necessary for the security guard in order to reduce risk and allow them to carry out their duties safely?  We’ve identified ten essential pieces of personal protective equipment that should be considered by both employees and security guards.

1. Two-way radio

Communication is critical for security guard safety. Two-way radios are a common communication method for close protection officers, or a security guard working at events or in retail.  Designed to swiftly communicate information over long or short distances, a two-way radio will allow a security team to communicate effectively and easily activate instant back up if a situation becomes dangerous.

2. Smartphone

Smartphones are indispensable in today’s continually connected world. 80% of the UK population now own one and it’s hard to imagine a day without one. It offers the security guard a powerful mobile communication tool, with access to the internet and a camera, it enables you to plan and react to unforeseen circumstances. It also allows easy access to a range of apps, including rapid recording apps that allow issues to be captured and reported quickly and automatically.

3. First aid kit

Having access to a first-aid kit for self-help, or to render assistance to a colleague is the most effective way to help prevent an illness or injury from becoming more serious. Particularly in remote locations where medical care might be limited, the ability to administer first aid will help protect against minor trauma or wounds.

4. Lone worker alarm

The very nature of a being a security guard means that they are often required to work on their own, and sometimes late at night when there may be increased chance of threat. Technology has made a huge difference to the way in which security guards can now be protected.  Lone worker protection systems can now be centralised and monitored via an app, making it simple to track the exact location of your security fleet, and enable the security guard to easily raise an alarm in the event of an emergency.

5. Torch

A torch can be a handy piece of equipment; not only to aid your vision in the night, or if there is a power cut. But a torch can also be used in self-defense, a bright torch can dazzle an attacker giving you enough time to raise the alarm or make your escape. A large torch can also be used to protect yourself physically too, by blocking strikes by weapons such as bats or knives. You could also utilise a torch as a weapon to strike your attacker as a last resort.

6. Notepad and Pen

Carrying a notepad and pen might seem outdated with today’s technology, but the batteries never run out with these! This is an essential piece of equipment for any security guard. A note pad is easily looked at to reference your all-important notes, names and numbers. It’s also useful to be able to jot down important information whilst you’re on the phone.

7. Stab proof or ballistic vest

The severity of risk will largely depend on the environment in which you work, but working as a security guard you will face aggression or threats from time to time. Wearing protective clothing such as stab proof vests will help protect you from any dangerous threats you may encounter.  In some high-profile risk situations, ballistic vests may be more appropriate for those looking to convey a high level of vigilance and protection against every eventuality.

8. Appropriate footwear

Most security guards will be on their feet most of the time, so it’s important to invest in appropriate and comfortable footwear that should be practical but durable, comfortable and look suitably professional.

9. SIA Licence

An SIA licence is a necessity for most security professionals. It should be worn in a prominent position, usually the SIA issue lanyard or armband. Professionals working in the Close Protection sector are exempt from this requirement due to the frequently confidential nature of their work and the need to have a degree of anonymity. However they need to have it on their person and be able to produce a valid licence on request from a Police Officer or SIA inspector.

10. Hi Visibility Clothing

Not only does hi-vis clothing distinguish you from members of the public, it also alerts would be criminals or trouble makers to your presence, which may deter them from attempting to break the law. Should you injure yourself or fall ill, it is also a lot easier to find you by day and night.

Article by Mathew Colley of LoneALERT, the UK’s leading provider of lone worker protection solutions, offering a range of lone worker alarms, man-down devices and solutions to protect staff who work remotely, alone or who are vulnerable.

London Security Company Recruiting SIA licensed Security Guards

Renowned London security group; Westminster Security, are currently recruiting close protection officers and security guards for positions within hotels, events, and door supervision for the summer season. The company is looking to employ highly motivated and reliable security professionals to enhance the groups professional image.

Westminster Security, which provides personalised security services for its clients, has a strict recruitment process that only employs the finest security personnel, exemplifying an outstanding, proven background in the private security industry. The company is interested in hearing from individuals with at least 2 years experience in a similar security role in London, and particularly keen to recruit former British military and police officers.

Applicants need to be licensed by the Security Industry Authority, with a proven record of employment and continual personal development. Successful applicants will undergo meticulous reference, criminal and financial background checks for the safety and security of their clients. Most security officers are specially chosen for their skill-set in their chosen field through careers in the Police, Army, Navy and Royal Air Force. This rigorous selection process ensures the highest quality security operatives for the customer, for their complete peace of mind and overall quality of service.

If you feel you have the right qualities, experience and training to offer, visit their employment page to check your eligibility and to apply.

Complimenting their close protection services, Westminster Security also offers security chauffeurs, residential security, surveillance, private investigations, security concierge, and retail security in London. To learn more about the company and its list of premier security services, visit www.WestminsterSecurity.co.uk today.

About Westminster Security

Based in Central London, Westminster Security is an independent private security company that provides a wide array of security and investigation services. The company only employs highly trained, and trusted former police and military security professionals, to protect clients and their businesses from risks and threats posed to their wealth, security and safety. These security professionals discreetly offer protection and safety for an extensive range of clients from different cultures and countries around the world.

http://www.westminstersecurity.co.uk/london-security-group-seeks-dependable-security-professionals/

Westminster Security London - New Website!

Welcome to our new website!

Westminster Security have a new website, it’s been 12 months in the making, and we hope you like it!. Apart from a complete redesign and rewrite, we've added an Arabic section for those travelling from the Middle East who are looking for a security company in London. We’ve added a blog section to enable us to communicate company updates, Industry news, press releases and employment opportunities. We’ve linked our social media accounts, don't forget to ‘Like Us’ on Facebook and ‘Follow’ us on Twitter, and we're now on Google+. We look forward to connecting with you!.

About Westminster Security

We are a private security company based in Central London, established to provide high end premier security services to customers who require more than just security. Our service has been tailored to provide complete security and bespoke lifestyle management, including transportation, concierge, investigation and manned security. We pride ourselves on providing a premier service without the premium cost. We believe in quality over quantity so recruit only the most trained and experienced security operatives with backgrounds in the Police and British Armed Forces. All of whom undergo a strict vetting and recruitment process. Enabling us to provide our customers with a security management service that is second-to-none.

Our Area of operation

Westminster security mainly operate in London and the surrounding areas. However, we have to capabilities and experience to operate anywhere in the UK, Europe and around the world. We regularly operate in France for our clients which is becoming an evermore popular destination, therefore we have established a strong team based in Paris, ready to deploy at a moments notice. Over the years we have provided close protection bodyguards and security chauffeurs in Iraq, Kurdistan, Kuwait, Jordan, Saudi, the United States of America and South America. We are due to deploy security teams to some of these destinations shortly.

Services we provide

• Chauffeurs – All of our chauffeurs are trained to the highest standards in driving. They have undergone advanced driver training in either the military or police, they have then completed advanced driver training with the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) or RoSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents), in some cases both qualifications. Our Security Chauffeurs have the same advanced driving qualifications, plus SIA close protection training, and further close protection driver training which includes but not limited to: route selection and planning, protocol & etiquette, embus/debus drills, intensive advanced defensive driving, surveillance awareness & detection, reaction to attack, vehicle control limits and escort/convoy driving drills. This training ensures that we provide the best security chauffeurs in London. For more information on our chauffeur and security chauffeur in London services, please contact us or visit our chauffeur in London page.

• Close Protection / Bodyguards – Our male & female close protection bodyguards in London are amongst the best, most sought after in the security industry. The vast majority of them are from specialist VIP protection units in the military and police. We can supply bodyguards in London of any shape or size to fit your individual requirements. Some clients prefer the discreet ‘executive’ bodyguard who wouldn't look out of place at The Ritz, others like the large physical presence of a ‘man mountain’ to escort them in clubs etc. Whatever your reference, we can provide all your close protection needs in London. For more information on our close protection in London, please contact us or visit our close protection page for more information.

•  Concierge – We provide an unparalleled concierge service in London to our clients, this is not a stand-alone service and is usually provided as part of a close protection service. Our close protection teams are well experienced in providing for all of our customers last minute requirements, anything from popular restaurant/club reservations, VIP cinema/concert/sporting tickets to flights and chartered jets. The only limits are time and your budget, we will do our utmost to source almost anything you want with our vast connections throughout the globe. Security Concierge – Our security concierge service in London combines the front of house receptionist role with that of a security guard, this is an effective way of providing a discreet security presence at your business or residential development. Our security guards are all trained and experienced in providing first class customer service whilst maintaining security. For information on either of our concierge services in London, please contact us.

• Door Supervisors – Westminster Security provide male & female door supervisors in London to many licensed venues, including hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs and private members clubs. Our door supervisors have built an enviable reputation in providing a premier door security service in London. Gone are the days were ‘brutes in suits’ “run the doors”, todays door supervisors – or at least the one’s we employ, have not only a strong physical presence, but also able to converse with a broad spectrum of people from all different backgrounds and nationalities. The vast majority of our Door Supervisors have a British military background, we believe they are a real asset and have consistently proved this through their dedication and helpfulness to our clients and their customers. For more information on door supervisors in London, please contact us or visit our door supervisors in London page.

• Event Security – Our Door Supervisors are also utilised for event security in London, whether big or small, public or private. Westminster Security are able to consult and manage the security for you event in London. For more information on our event security in London and for some examples of the events we have provided security for, please visit our Event Security In London page. 

• Private Investigation - Our Private investigators in London are mainly retired police officers who are experts, and have vast experience in investigations. We provide Private Investigators in London for a wide variety of tasks. Our private investigators in London begin by gathering information from our client, they investigate further or act on these instructions by compiling photographs and/or statements and report the facts to the client before surveillance is instructed if required. It may surprise you what Private investigators actually do, their roles include but not limited too: Process Serving, Locus Reports, Witness Statements, Missing Persons, Listening Devices, Matrimonial Enquiries, Covert CCTV, Court Attendance, Tracking Vehicles, Trace Enquiries, Background Checks and Test Purchasing. For Private Investigation Services in London, contact us. Or visit our Private Investigators in London page.

• Residential Security – Westminster Security provide Residential Security in London for private individuals who require the extra presence of a security guard at their home or hotel suite. Residential security in London varies from a full-time static security guard to 24hr mobile patrols, visiting your property at random or set times throughout the day and night to confirm the security of your property and the absence of undesirables. Hotel residential security in London is usually provided 24hrs a day by a close protection bodyguard to royalty, celebrities and security conscious individuals. The bodyguard is in control of access to the room/suite and reports all activity to the close protection team leader via a written log. For more information on our residential security in London, please contact us or visit our residential security in London page.

• Retail Security – We provide retail security guards in London to many prestigious brands and designer labels, our retail security guards in London have built a great reputation in providing an exemplary service for many high street stores and designer boutiques. Westminster Security understand that customer service is as important as shop security, therefore only employ security guards whom speak perfect English with excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Our retail security guards in London are all trained in first-aid, theft awareness and conflict management. If you are looking for a security company in London to provide you with retail security guards that will reflect a positive image of your business to your customers, contact us or visit our retail security guard page for more information.

• Surveillance – London is the surveillance capital of the world, with more CCTV cameras per head than anywhere else. Believe it or not, that makes it even harder for surveillance to be conducted on an individual, as the surveillance operative is also under constant surveillance whilst travelling discreetly around London, undetected by the target, but potentially drawing the attention of the police or CCTV operators. That’s why when it comes to surveillance in London, we are the experts. Our surveillance operatives have backgrounds in the security services, police and military special forces. They are trained to go undetected whilst gathering irrefutable evidence for our clients and submission to the courts. For more information on our surveillance service in London, please contact us or visit our surveillance in London Page.

Thank you for visiting our new Website and blog, if you feel any part of our site could be improved our you would like to comment in anyway about our site or services, please complete the comment box below.

http://www.westminstersecurity.co.uk/welcome-new-website/

Business Executives on the Rise Need Reliable London Security Services

London is considered to be a melting pot of culture, style, and stature as it was once a center of world civilisation and industrialisation. Today, the city continues to house some of the world’s most notable and iconic institutions and businesses. One of these companies is the fashion brand Burberry, which has recently appointed a new CEO as reported by Andrew Trotman for The Telegraph:

Burberry has handed its new chief executive a “golden hello” in shares worth up to £7.5m and an annual pay package of up to £8.1m, according to reports.

Christopher Bailey’s salary includes a £440,000 allowance for clothing and other items, £53,000 more than former boss Angela Ahrendts, who is leaving the British fashion house to join US technology giant Apple as its head of retail. The difference is believed to be because Ms Ahrendts has a car and driver that Mr Bailey will not use.

He will be handed a £1.1m salary, an annual cash bonus of up to £2.2m and £330,000 in pension contributions. Mr Bailey could also be eligible for share awards of £4.4m a year until 2017 under a performance-based executive share plan.

London, and Great Britain in general, rivals the United States in playing the role of host to some of the largest and most respected corporations in the world, including tech firms, fashion companies, and banks. These organisations also continue to attract talented and high-net-worth individuals to act as their executives. Just like Burberry’s Christopher Bailey, business executives on the rise need reliable London security services to ensure that they can do their jobs in a safe environment.

Companies that have extensive experience in providing close protection and retail security in London, such as Westminster Security, are ideal partners for many up-and-coming executives and their peers. These firms are staffed by highly trained security specialists who are well-versed in the practices employed by law enforcement agencies. Moreover, they can perform surveillance and background checks to screen for potential threats to their clients.

Conglomerates will always be on the lookout for innovative professionals to join their team of executives, which may prompt undue attention that would entail significant levels of danger for these personalities. Hiring a good security team can give business executives the peace of mind in being great assets to their particular companies without any worries of harm.

http://www.westminstersecurity.co.uk/business-executives-rise-need-reliable-london-security-services/

Overseas Visitors Commend Close Protection Security in London

                                 

At Westminster Security, a number of international customers regularly rely on our close protection security services whenever they visit London for business. While our company is proud to be able to maintain great working relationships with many of our long-term clients, it’s always a pleasure to see new customers approach us for assistance with their private security in London.

In June, our company was honoured to have been chosen to protect two new high profile, international customers. Both tasks were an astounding successes, with each of our principals commending the efficiency and professionalism exhibited by our skilled team of close protection operatives.

Both parties to our beautiful city were here for entirely different reasons, but both required complete protection from our team around the clock. As with all our clients, Westminster Security pulled out all the stops and provided them with a detail comprised of members with backgrounds in the Royal Military Police and the United Kingdom Special Forces divisions of the British Armed Forces.

On the road, both principals chose to be transported in our Rolls-Royce Phantom, accompanied by their bodyguard we supplied. The personal escort section team assigned to them, on the other hand, used our Range Rover Autobiography as a backing vehicle. Both chauffeurs of those vehicles were advanced drivers with vast experience in security chauffeuring in London and around the world, the clients knew they were in safe hands.

Both principals took up temporary residence in one of London’s five-star hotels, and our team took charge of sweeping and securing their accommodation daily. Working with the in-house security team of the prestigious hotel, our close protection operatives were admired for the manners and discretion they afforded the hotel staff, and our principals as well. In fact, we were later approached by the hotel security manager with an offer to supply close protection services to their visiting VIPs in the future, and we were naturally pleased to affirm their request.

As a result of our clients’ satisfaction with our services, the principals committed to using us in the future, for the duration of their visits to London and the UK. Westminster Security is proud of the trust that our new clients, and even the hotel we stayed at, have afforded us. It was certainly our pleasure to have worked with them and look forward to being able to assist them again in the future.

We invite other groups and individuals who would like to experience the unique brand of protection only Westminster Security can provide to visit our website, WestminsterSecurity.co.uk, to identify the services that most fit their needs. Aside from close protection, we are also able and equipped to provide event security, private investigation, surveillance, residential security, and retail security in London.

Please contact us to see how we can assist you.

http://www.westminstersecurity.co.uk/close-protection/