Manned guarding is the term used to describe the role of professional security guards tasked with protecting property, people, or assets from the threat of criminal activity.
It refers to the physical presence of security officers as opposed to the remote monitoring of CCTV or alarm systems and is a service that can only be performed by fully licensed personnel and is monitored by a government department.
There are a wide range of situations in which manned guarding may be required with the exact duty of the security guards in the role depending on the needs of the client and the nature of the site.
With certain exceptions when discretion is key, manned security officers will be fully uniformed and act as a visible deterrent to criminals, with the incidents that don’t occur due to their presence just as beneficial as their ability to use their conflict management training to deal with incidents that do.
How does a manned guarding service operate?
Manned guarding can take a number of different forms, but in most situations will involve the stationing of a static security officer on the site. They may also be responsible for monitoring CCTV and your property’s alarm system and conducting regular patrols of the property, keeping an eye out for suspicious behaviour.
When you choose a security firm to provide you with security guards, make sure that they are fully SIA licensed or they may be operating illegally and you could pay the price.
You should also ensure that they are trained to operate a variety of different security technologies such as CCTV systems as this is an invaluable tool in the arsenal of any modern manned guarding service.
When it comes to deterring criminals from targeting your site, there are very few measures more effective than the presence of a highly visible uniformed security officer.
Who needs manned guarding services?
Anyone who has valuable assets to protect, or who requires protection themselves, and is at a genuine risk of being the victim of criminal activity could benefit from manned guarding services.
We currently have SIA licensed security officers in the field protecting:
- Retail stores
- Hotels
- Construction sites
- Void property
- Student accommodation
- Supermarkets
- Event venues
- Office blocks
- Celebrities
- High worth individuals
- And much more
Manned guarding at events
Any event with a significant number of attendees requires a manned guarding presence. Security guards will observe guests for suspicious behaviour, check tickets to ensure only authorised individuals can access the venue, control the crowd to avoid bottlenecks and overcrowding, and much more besides.
The nature of the manned guarding service that is required, will vary dramatically depending on the event in question. For example, at a business conference or political rally, the biggest threat to a smooth running event might be demonstrations and protesters looking to cause disruption whilst at a rival football match, keeping opposing supporters apart will be the key.
Trained security officers will work with the event planners and the venue itself to create a list of duties that they will perform during the event.
Responsibilities of security guards
The exact job of a security guard does vary from job to job but there are some duties that they perform on a regular basis.
These include:
Conducting patrols
Security officers will conduct regular patrols to ensure that the site they are stationed on remains secure and that there are no potential hazards that could pose problems. These patrols will incorporate inspections of key areas such as the perimeter of the site, potential entry points, and key areas deemed most likely to be targeted.
Monitoring CCTV
The modern security officer uses technology to be as effective as possible. CCTV is a great way to keep an eye across an entire site and is much more effective than even the most observant of security officer in this role. If an incident is detected the footage will be used to direct boots on the ground to the location in real time, allowing the situation to be deescalated as quickly as possible.
Customer Service
Security guards are often asked to perform some routine desk security duties as it is common for them to be stationed near the entrance to the property and the first person to greet customers or guests.
These duties can include giving directions to visitors and escorting people to their destination if deemed appropriate.
Conflict Resolution
All SIA licenced security guards must pass extensive conflict management training which they can use to de-escalate heated situations before they come to a head.
This is particularly useful when tasked with protecting an sporting venue where emotions are already running high and the chances of a confrontation are more significant. Their presence can also be reassuring to staff who know they are protected in the event of a disgruntled customer taking things too far.