unsure about hiring security?

Firstly, what you should look for when hiring a security company to receive the service you need. Here is a brief rundown on what to look for in a professional, reputable security company.

Qualified and Licensed Security 

Choose a company that only employs fully trained, qualified and licensed security officers. Many security companies have provided venues with unlicensed and unqualified guards. A list of the companies can be found at: www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk/Pages/enforcement-prosecutions.aspx

Regional Experience

Hiring a company that are local to the area has great beneficial extras such as, it shows that they are dependable, you can speak with local business traders that have previously hired that specific company and you can get honest reviews and feedback. A local company will also hire local staff who will understand the unique concerns particular to the local area. They will often know ‘who is who’ a local security officers will handle different situations based on their knowledge of the local environment and its people. 

Industry Flexibility

Choose a company that has experience in many sectors of the industry, this well-rounded approach to security provides you with premium protection capable of handling many different kinds of events, parties, business gatherings etc. 

Affordability 

Choose a company that doesn’t force you to sign a long term contract. Locking yourself into a contract with a security company that doesn’t perform to your expectations is the last thing you’ll need. A reputable security company will charge you a reasonable fee for their services you can choose how long you want to use their service and only pay for that time. 

Offers of a Wide Variety 

Choose a company that will handle all of your security needs. Make them your one-in-all for whatever assets you need to protect. A well experienced security company will offer you security guards but it may be of help to make use of them, a well-rounded company will provide alarm response, mobile patrols etc. 

How many security guards do you need? 

The next thing to consider is how many guards will you need, you need to take into account the overall scale of the event/party/ business.  

How many visitors or customers are you expecting? 

How big is your venue? 

Crowd control will be needed in busy areas such as the bar, food stall entrance and exit and the stage. 

Having one guard per one hundred people is the general rule of the SIA (Security Industry Authority) then another with every one hundred and fifty people extra. This rule can also help you plan and budget for your security accordingly. Seek counsel from a security company experienced in small-to-medium sized and large-scale events. They give good advice, based on their experience in the industry. 

An event can become difficult to control if a room is too small and becomes overcrowded. There is always the chance that more guest can turn up than originally planned. This can happen when you have no predetermined guest list, if the venue is open to the public or vulnerable ‘party crashers’ you may require additional security guards to be positioned on the main entrance and exit. 

Know Your Event

Hiring a security company that knows your type of event can allocate what guards you will need based on what type of event you have. A high profile event where there are valuables on display will need stationed guards that have the duty of protecting that specific asset. 

A low key event with no expensive assets and fewer people may only require a few guards, whereas events where alcohol is served may require security guards stationed within the crowd to spot volatile situations and quickly defuse them. Events and parties with a subdued nature may often only require security stationed solely at the entrances. 

Uniformed security guards are appropriate where an open show of authority is desirable. Sometimes you need to make it obvious to event goers that display inappropriate behaviour will receive a swift response. Meanwhile, plain clothed security is often advisable for situations where a uniformed presence may cast too harsh a presence over a dignified event. 

In Closing 

Consider the above information when it comes to hiring quality security for your needs. By doing so you will ensure your guests or customers will receive a quality, effective protection and it will also enhance their experience in your venue. Choosing the right number of security guards is crucial to protecting the investment you have in your business.