Key Takeaways
- Security Guards pay a crucial role in safeguarding vacant commercial properties, arguing that their presence provides a necessary human connection that technology alone cannot offer. This article explains what security guards do. Also, how they could benefit your business and offer you the peace of mind you deserve.
- Security guards perform a range of duties, including mobile patrols, static guarding, crowd control, keyholding services, and crisis support. They are trained to observe and respond to potential threats efficiently and correctly, using their judgement and expertise to maintain safety and order. Their skills include attention to detail, communication, and flexibility.
- Employing security guards can significantly deter crime, offer rapid response to threats, and provide heightened awareness and order. Their presence promotes a sense of security and peace of mind, reducing stress for property owners. Security guards combine critical thinking and intuition with advanced security technology, making them an invaluable asset for protecting vacant properties.
The Human Connection.
No, it’s not a movie, but we’ve added capitals because it matters. And here’s why:
In Clearway’s opinion, regarding vacant commercial property security – the human connection is imperative.
Sometimes, CCTV and wireless alarms, high-performers though they are, may not be enough. When you know, you’ll know; you’ll feel it. From factories and shops to offices, pubs and restaurants – whatever type of building or premises you own, if it’s unoccupied for a while, a security guard could provide that final link in the security chain you’ve been missing.
Clearway offers static and mobile security guard services in the UK on a short or long-term contract basis. We’d be happy to discuss how we can help fill your safeguarding gaps, so contact us via this website if you have any questions.
First things first:
What Does a Security Guard Do?
In simple terms, security guards are mainly responsible for the safety of the property they have been hired to protect.
In this case, for example, your remotely located warehouse that’s been empty for a few weeks. Through their expertise in tense and critical situations, their powers of observation, and simply knowing what to do, they deliver a reassuringly strong sense of protection in tense or threatening situations.
Even if nothing is amiss, you can have faith that you are doing the right thing with the security measures you’ve implemented.
They safeguard vacant commercial property. Ultimately, however, through looking after bricks and mortar, they protect people by looking after their valuable assets.
Their roles are wide-ranging and, of course, will be tailored to a client’s needs. Generally, they get involved in:
Mobile security
Here, the guard is on the move, sometimes with a highly trained security dog, sometimes without.
Their role is to check perimeters and boundaries for signs of intrusion. The guards are trained in observation techniques and skills – even the tiniest, most insignificant things which could lead to more serious criminal activity.
Static guarding
A security service focused on one set place; a vulnerable access point, perhaps, or a control room. Nevertheless, they’re not stuck to the spot, and often protect a premises through regular patrols through the building or around the site.
Stewarding and crowd control
If you organise large events or festivals, the safety of everyone attending will be your responsibility. It’s a significant burden, yet highly important. Guards are extremely good at controlling and marshalling people’s comings and goings. And, they add a sense of comfort.
Equally, they’ll be the ones spotting trouble before it starts to happen.
Keyholding services
A trained security professional can manage a set of keys to your property and/or details of entry and alarm codes. This means they’re primed to respond to intruder alarms or other potential security issues.
Support and assistance provision
Should there be a crisis or a natural disaster, they can usher people out to safety; unfortunate events and emergencies can and do happen anywhere, and an on-site security guard can offer immediate support and help.
Control access
A trained security guard can manage access to a property or event by checking ID, credentials etc. Plus, they can issue visitor passes.
Document incidents – or if all is well
Should an incident occur, they will maintain up-to-date records and observations on anything and everything. Also, when or if everything is calm and in order.
Can anyone be a security guard?
The short answer is yes, but only if they’re trained. Clearway’s guards are fully trained and licenced by the Security Industry Authority, a body sponsored by the Home Office that sets the standards in the UK’s private security industry.
Read more about the role of a security guard here.
What Benefits Do Security Guards Offer?
Prevent Crimes
This sounds self-evident, doesn’t it?
But, even the presence of just one security guard is a strong visual deterrent to crime. It’s likely to reduce the likelihood of an intrusion, preventing your property from becoming another statistic.
When or if they did catch someone causing trouble, they can intervene without delay, stopping damage, theft or vandalism in its tracks.
Provide a Fast Response Time
An extension of the above point:
A Clearway security guard doesn’t hang around. Their reaction is instantaneous. Every second counts. It’s essential that should a threat be discovered, the guard acts immediately. And so, that’s precisely what they do. Their fast responses will gain control over a situation while waiting for the emergency services to arrive.
Left unattended, the worst could happen. And, then, get worse. Nobody wants a bad situation to escalate.
Act Efficiently. And, Correctly
A security guard will use their clear judgement to protect your assets and will, quite literally, know what to do.
Threat environments can change quickly — often in the blink of an eye. A delay could mean disaster. So, handling things efficiently, promptly, and above all, properly could save the day.
Having procedures in place, being highly trained, and keeping a calm head are skills and qualities that you, as a landlord, can only benefit from – more than you may realise. Remember: guards can’t use excessive force, but they can act if there’s a threat to the safety of individuals or property. They always act within a legal framework.
They know how to contain a situation to reduce panic and eliminate a threat as much as possible.
Offer Heightened Awareness
A guard will always take a proactive approach to everything around them.
In other words, they offer a hyper-vigilant pair of ears and eyes above and beyond the standard call of duty. Or, the norm.
If you’re not trained to spot something, most likely, you’ll overlook it. It’s easily done.
It’s fair to say that in-house staff could miss things. For instance, if the behaviour of visitors or strangers is unusual, it could go unnoticed. This unwitting inattention may be due to their familiarity with their environment; perhaps a focus on “normal” work, or other distractions.
Promotes a Sense of Order
A security officer can make people feel safer.
In crowd control, for example, they can take action against individuals misbehaving. In large crowds, they keep order, reducing the risk of riots and disorderly conduct.
Generally, their presence promotes a sense of organisation and cohesion in empty corporate buildings. Neighbours notice them, and react positively.
Why?
Because security is the backbone of a community’s structure. As a property owner, you’ll have a clear conscience. Plus, a feeling of mental freedom as there’s now one less thing to worry about.
What Makes the Perfect Security Guard
Well, none of us are perfect, that’s for sure. But, the following merits and traits go a long way towards excellence:
- Reliability and credibility. Your vacant property deserves someone you can trust to work to their own highest standards. And, as they have access to key codes, keys, or swipe passes, you’ll know that even in business-critical areas, they are one hundred per cent reliable.
- Attention to detail. Experienced, trained security guards notice things. It’s what they do. If anything is out of the ordinary – a non-staff car parked for a longer period than normal, for example – they will be on it.
- Communication skills. You need someone with exemplary communication skills. Not only is the ability to talk and listen important, it could separate a good security officer from an exceptional one. A guard needs to explain things clearly, challenge others assertively, make themselves clear and where possible, reduce conflict.
Being able to interact well with others is no mean feat.
The Ability to Work Flexibly
The hours can be antisocial and long. No two days are the same. During the working week, a guard may be involved in many different tasks, some of which could be challenging.
Fitness Levels
An officer may need to move fast, so they must be fit enough to deal with acting quickly. Sometimes, lightning fast.
Security guards are indeed special people. Perhaps it’s time for you to think about The Human Connection.
Reducing Your Stress Levels Starts Here
When all is said and done, a security guard has something that all the technology and machines in the world do not yet fully possess:
Critical thinking.
He or she has instincts, yet can weigh up vital decisions based on logic, insight and awareness. Likewise, they know how to listen and get their message across.
Also, they have intuition.
These qualities in someone already highly trained mean they understand how to respond to threats. In Clearway’s opinion, almost nothing is more valuable.
Combined with today’s outstanding technological advances in monitoring and alarms, these virtues could mean the difference between a secure, unused commercial building and an insecure one.
Which type of property would you prefer to have?
Get in touch with Clearway for more information on our static and manned security guard services.
*Sources:
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/security-industry-authority
https://nasdu.co.uk/securitydogs/
https://www.pethonesty.com/blogs/blog/how-strong-is-your-dog-s-sense-of-smell
Gideon Reichental 
Vacant Property Security Consultant
Gideon is an experienced property specialist with a commitment to excellent customer service and support. With over eight years dedicated to the niche field of vacant property security and services, Gideon has been at the forefront of developing and implementing best practices and successful strategies for safeguarding vulnerable properties, demonstrating a profound understanding of the complexities involved. His hands-on experience includes managing portfolios of over 200 vacant properties directly, alongside senior management roles overseeing broader portfolios that encompass more than 2000 properties.
