A&R Security Services is based in Bridgend and provides security services to businesses across South Wales and the South West

Posts

Christmas party, event security, event, security, security services, office christmas party, office party, christmas

Top tips on running a safe and successful Christmas Party

/0 Comments/in /by

With Christmas coming careering towards us, many offices in Cardiff will be organising the Office Christmas party. Celebrating everyone’s hard work is certainly a lot of fun but having everything in place for a great night of festivities is no easy task. When organising a Christmas party, there is a lot that you need to consider – and the most important one is ensuring your colleague’s safety.

When organising its important that you take precautions and stick to good event security and safety practises (especially if you want everyone to have a good night but also stay safe at the same time). By sticking to these you can keep everyone safe – except embarrassing themselves with bad dancing and some dodgy karaoke or comedy.

 

Be alcohol safe

When the bosses have a free bar going and the drink starts flowing, it can be easy to misjudge and get carried away with the festivities. However, from an organisers point of view, alcohol can cause more issues than just embarrassing incidents.

Alcohol can lower our inhibitions and alter our sense of risk meaning that people who have one too many may be tempted to do things that they wouldn’t normally do – like dance on tables, take part in drink competitions or even get into fights. If you’re trying to avoid such situations try and keep an eye on how much your guests are drinking and intervene when you think someone has had too much.

 

Keep a guest list and plan seating

When organising an event and inviting guests, it is important to have up-to-date records of who is coming and who isn’t. If you’re allocating people to tables, make sure you have thought about who is sitting where and whether the people sitting next to each other have things in common. If you have a new member of staff – sit them with someone who will be able to keep the conversation going.

For guests to know where they are sat, place guests lists at the venues entrance or the restaurants front of house so that uninvited guests are unable to enter your party. If the venue doesn’t have extra staff to monitor who is coming to the party, hire extra security staff that are able to monitor who is coming in and out of the venue and ensure that no unwanted guests try to crash the party.

 

Theft

Although thefts may seem like an unlikely thing to happen during a Christmas party, bags and coats left on chairs or at the side of the room can give opportunists the chance to swipe valuables whilst everyone is busy busting out dance moves. So when guests arrive, make sure that they know where the cloakroom is and ensure that security staff are positioned close-by.

 

Dietary requirements

When organising an event such as an office party, it is important that everyone’s dietary requirements are catered for. So, before the big event, make sure that your guests have informed you of any food allergies, intolerances and dietary requirements.

Epilepsy/Hearing/Sight impediment

For any event, it is important to heed advice from anyone suffering from Epilepsy or other impairments relating to hearing or sight. Precautions such as reduced strobe or LED lighting, considering music volume or planning for people with guide dogs can go a long way.

Here at A&R Security Services can help you run a safe Christmas office party by providing guards that are fully trained in First aid and Health & Safety. Having properly trained security at your party means that help is on hand straightaway if a situation arises.

 

Car parking

If your party is in a hotel, restaurant or club, make sure that there is a carpark close by or there are designated parking spaces for guests who want to stay sober and drive home. If you are expecting guests with mobility issues, make sure that there is disabled access such as disabled parking, lowered curbs, ramps and power-assisted doors and enough space to move around freely inside the venue.

When choosing a venue as well, it is a good idea to look at where the venue is in relation to guests – how will the get to and from homes? If you choose a venue that is quite far from work, check what public transport is available.

 

Enjoy yourself!

When you are the person organising the Christmas party you want everything to go perfectly and without a hitch but it’s important that you can ley your hair down and relax. Make sure to drink responsibly, eat well, dress to impress and give yourself a pat on the back for a successful and safe Christmas party! Just make sure that you don’t drink too much and tell your boss something that you may regret on Monday morning when you’re back in the office.

 

A&R Security Services can provide comprehensive security solutions to event organisers in Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, South Wales and the South West. To find out more about our security services visit our website or call us for a free quote on 01656 713950

 

Security, Security Services, Inhouse, In-house, Outsourced, In-house v Outsourced, In-house Security, Outsourced Security, Newport

In-house vs Outsourced Security Services: What’s the difference?

/0 Comments/in /by

Nearly every business in Newport needs some form of security.

However, it can be a bit of a minefield to know what the best security solution for your business is – whether that is having an in-house or an outsourced security team.

Here we look at the benefits of having a professional outsourced security team over an in-house security team.

Reliability and expertise

When looking for security for your business, you want a reliable security team that can protect your business from criminals. Employing your own security team allows you to gauge if that person is best suited to your business, reliable and have the expertise that you are looking for. However, finding the right person for your business can take a lot of time and effort which could be used to run your business.

Employing an experienced and accredited security provider provides your business with more than just a security solution.  Professional Security providers such as A&R Security Services will have years of experience and knowledge and can provide advice and support for your business, ensuring that it is properly protected.

Professional Security providers will be aware of the threats that your business will face, and this allows them to input tailored security measures to your business’s requirements. This not only keeps the cost down; it guarantees your business will remain secure.

 

Time-Saving and Cost-effective

When creating and maintaining an internal security team, it can be an expensive and time-consuming process. For guards to work in the security industry, they must hold a valid SIA license – which can cost over £200. Add to this uniform, equipment, insurance and other additional costs, creating an in-house security team can quickly mount up.

Whilst having an in-house security team in your business is fine, they would need someone to manage them so hiring experienced, dependable and hardworking staff can sometimes be difficult and costly. Also finding additional staff to cover sickness absence or leave can be quite difficult.

Refresher training – especially around health and safety, first aid, fire safety – can prove to be expensive as well. However, if your staff are not properly trained in these areas, you risk exposing your business to threats.

When you choose a professional security provider, all training, management, equipment, uniform, insurance and recruitment costs are eliminated. Plus, if their staff are off sick or on annual leave, they will have the staff to cover on short notice.

 

Guaranteed quality service

The UK Security industry is tightly regulated to ensure that companies do not put their customers at risk with low-grade security solutions. However, when creating your own in-house security team, you won’t be subject to these regulations.

Unless you have previous experience or knowledge about how to implement effective security, your internal security team is unlikely to meet the standards that private security providers are expected to achieve. This can be dangerous as any security incident that occurs will be entirely your responsibility – whether that’s legal repercussions, maintenance costs or other consequences of failing to protect your business or staff.

If you chose to hire a professional security provider, you can be rest assured that the service you receive will meet all legal requirements, that all staff will be properly trained and vetted and not only would security incidents be far less likely to occur, you won’t be left to pick up the pieces on our own.

 

Flexibility and growth

Any business will eventually begin to grow and expand. As your business grows, the security measures that you have in place will change to coincide. If you have outgrown your old office and are moving to a new office space in Newport, it can throw up a whole set of new security issues.

If your business grows and you have an internal security team, it can take a long time to find extra staff and this can leave gaps within your security. Also, as your in-house security team grows, so do the costs which could result in channelled resources being moved away from core projects which could have a knock-on effect of the growth of your business.

Choosing a professional security provider allows you more room to either scale up or down your security needs. Having this ability ensures that your business is protected throughout your transition and that your resources are allocated effectively.

Also, a professional security provider will be able to cover any temporary security requirements that you may have during your growth.

 

Additional Solutions

The word ‘Security’ Covers a large range of activities. From CCTV monitoring and secure key holding to manned guarding and mobile patrols. And the list goes on.

As your business grows and changes so will your business security requirements over time. For example, if you open second office space in Newport City centre, you may require CCTV monitoring, secure key holding and alarm response. However, implementing these security measures can be difficult. Having additional security for a second location requires purchasing equipment such as alarm and CCTV systems and hiring additional guards to provide key holding services.

This often makes it difficult for businesses to implement the security solutions that they need and unfortunately results in businesses letting their security lapse as they struggle to find the right security providers, purchase new equipment, research and hire and/or train new staff.

A professional security provider will have expertise in each of these areas. This means that they can provide any additional services quickly saving you time and money, as well as ensuring that you are still receiving a high-quality service.

 

If this has changed your mind from employing an in-house security team but not sure what to look out for when hiring a professional security provider then take a look at our guide here.

A&R Security Services provide comprehensive security solutions to businesses in Newport, Cardiff, Swansea and South Wales. If you would like further information about our services, visit our website or give us a call on 01656 713950 to arrange a free quotation.

A&R Security Services, A&R Security, Security, Mobile Security, Mobile Patrols, Security Services, Cardiff, RCT, Newport, Bridgend, Swansea

SIA Accreditation: Why is it so important?

/0 Comments/in /by

When making the decision to invest in security for your business, you’ll want to be able to rely on a trustworthy provider and have a clear idea of what you are getting.

One way to ensure that you are getting value is to hire fully trained and vetted SIA Security Guards, like those at A&R Security Services.

But why is it so important to have SIA licensed guards?

Quality that you can trust

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) was created by the government to protect your business. It helps regulate the private security industry effectively where businesses have seen reduced criminality, raised standards in services and personal and a clear picture of a high-quality service.

When having a guard that holds an SIA license, you can be sure that they are fully trained and vetted to complete their job.

Fully licensed SIA guards will have been trained to respond to any situation that they may experience out in the field. Training for SIA licenses is broken down into three core areas. Trainees begin by learning the essentials of common security industry knowledge including awareness of the law in the private security industry, health and safety, fire awareness, emergency procedures and communication with customer care.

Following this training the SIA will develop this initial training into specialist sections where training officers have the opportunity to learn the following services in-depth: patrolling, access control, technology and systems in the security environment, security officers, the law and communication, reporting and record-keeping: all of which are essential as guards will need a basic understanding of each when they are out in the field protecting your business.

Accommodating business demands

The private Security Industry Act was brought in to regulate the private security industry in England and Wales in 2001 which was later implemented in Scotland in 2007 and Northern Ireland in 2009. Since then they have been a number of changes to the accreditation and despite scrutiny of its effectiveness it remains, and businesses can see the clear benefits of hiring security guards that are fully trained and hold an SIA license.

Here A&R Security Services we are proud to provide SIA vetted security guards to effectively protect your business from criminal activity. For more information or to arrange a free quotation call us on 01656 713950 or visit our website.

Construction Site, Construction Security, Construction, Construction Security Services, A&R Security Services, Security Services

How to properly protect your construction site

/0 Comments/in /by

Poorly protected Construction sites in areas in and around Cardiff can be rich pickings for criminals looking to steal valuable equipment and materials to make ‘easy money’

Many construction and building sites in and around Cardiff don’t properly protect themselves from criminal activity such as theft and can result in thousands of pounds worth of loss. A recent survey that was conducted revealed that 92% of sites claim to be affected by crime with a further 21% of sites saying that they are stolen from on a regular basis.

However, there is some light at the end of the tunnel and there are some easy cost-effective strategies that can help protect your construction site from further criminal activity.

So, what is construction security?

Construction Security is an umbrella term that refers to a range of security services and measures that can be used to protect a construction site.

These services and measures may include:

  • Physical guards
  • Alarm installation and monitoring
  • CCTV Surveillance
  • Access control
  • Staff training
  • Guard Dogs.

However, securing a construction site would require different security measures compared to retail or corporate environment. So, when construction site owners are looking to create or have effective security measures, they will need to know what security measures will be appropriate for them.

Also, security measures that should be prioritised should be determined by your sites specific requirements such as location, local crime rate and values of onsite materials/equipment and emergency response times.

In order to figure out the security measures which will be most effective at your site and where you should put them, you will first need to conduct a thorough security assessment.

To ensure your construction site remains protected from criminal activity – it’s important to know some essential techniques (with many not costing anything). However, by ensuring you implement these techniques will go a long way in protecting your site.

Create and maintain an up-to-date inventory

With so much equipment and material on-site, it’s possible for criminals to take advantage of you with you even noticing it is happening. To ensure you know what is exactly on or off your site, you should maintain an up-to-date inventory log of all tools, equipment, machinery and materials you have.

You should fill in our inventory log at least weekly to give you the best chance of spotting and quickly responding to theft. After all emergency services such as the police have a better chance at returning stolen good when they are reported missing quickly.

Maintain a clear zone around your perimeter fence.

Thieves will always look at ways to minimise the risk of them being caught and as a result, will target site which they believe will offer larger and easier pickings. For a thief, the less time they spend actively involved in a crime the better.

If you have a perimeter fence already installed on your site it can make it more difficult for criminals to steal from your site as this makes it difficult for them to see what is actually on your site – meaning they will have to cross the site itself in order to reach your belongings and making the chances of them being spotted greater. It is suggested that you should have a clear zone of between 5 to 10 meters. However smaller sites may not have the ability to do this – in which case it would be best to make as large of clear space as possible.

 

Mark equipment

For criminals, equipment such as mini diggers, generators, heavy drills and other tools can be very easy targets and are often stolen. Marking equipment can make it much harder for thieves to sell on anything they’re able to take.

Most tools that are used on construction sites are comprised of metal so engraving sections of metal with your company logo or a small symbol can easily deter criminals. Engraving machines are cheap and are easy to use, but the amount of money they will save you, in the long run, could be substantial. To ensure that your tools are effectively marked,  engrave them in multiple places especially on places that can be removed such as tool bits like drills and chisels.

 

Reduce access points

Construction sites such as yours should be surrounded by a secure perimeter fence to prevent intruders accessing your site. So, it should be robust and impenetrable but of course, workers and any other people who are required on-site will need to be able to enter.

Although it may be tempting to create multiple points of entry with a large site to allow workers and vehicles to flow out of your site, it is essential that you keep access points to a minimum.

Any access point you create is a potential vulnerability and this is especially true when you have a second access point where security may be lacking. To reduce the potential for illegal entry, reduce your access points and position manned guards, CCTV cameras and security lighting at these access points.

 

Train your staff

Maintaining an effective security team is an effort. It only takes one person to lose focus for your site to become vulnerable to criminal activity. So, to prevent your staff from losing focus it is important that they understand how important security is and what their role requires them to maintain proper protection. Particular duties may include signing in and out of your site, locking up tools and vehicles, maintain the clear zone and reporting suspicious activity.

But no matter how comprehensive your plan is if your team fails to follow it, it is pretty much useless.

 

A&R Security Services provides comprehensive security solutions to construction sites in Cardiff and South Wales. To request a free quote call us on 01656 713950 or visit our website for further details.

A&R Security Services, Security Services, Halloween, Halloween Security, Security, Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, RCT, Bridgend, South Wales, South West, Business Security

How to protect your business this Halloween

/0 Comments/in /by

Halloween is the spookiest time of the year. With many of us dressing up as vampires, witches, zombies and ghosts and trick or treating the night away. However, there are ghoulish people out there that plan to play tricks on your business.

although some crimes during Halloween are petty and aren’t serious, there are some incidents that are serious and can result in damaged businesses. A spokesperson from a security firm states ” Halloween is great fun for kids, but it can be an extremely expensive time for business owners. Every year there is a surge in crimes around business premises by youths looking for bonfire materials. everything not nailed down is fair game, from tyres and pallets to expensive building materials and even oil theft. warehouses, construction sites, yards and unoccupied businesses are particularly vulnerable”

So, what can you do to keep your business safe this spooky Halloween?

Keep the perimeter of your business well lit:  With the autumn nights drawing in – this presents the perfect opportunity for criminals to break into your business. Using security lighting will help deter criminals from breaking into your business. installing motion-activated lights will accomplish the same goals while conserving energy.

Limit access to your property: Sometimes businesses in built-up areas will stay open to hand out treats to trick or treaters. However, when doing this ensure that the back of your building is secure – with all windows and doors securely shut and locked. If your business is closed during Halloween, ensure that only certain people have a set of keys. Also, make sure that bins and outdoor equipment are in well-lit areas.

Review your current security: Ensure to test your security alarms regularly and review your security system annually. Your system may not be as effective compared to newer models.

Train employees to be vigilant: Criminals like to watch a business first before making an attempt. make sure your employees know what to look out for when people are inside or outside your business and have a plan in place to deal with these individuals.

Celebrate safely: If your business is hosting a Halloween party for staff or customers, ensure that your fire protection is effective and operating properly. Be certain that fire extinguishers are in place and fire exits are clearly marked and don’t hang decorations from sprinklers.

Here at A&R Security Services, we provide comprehensive security solutions for businesses in Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, South Wales and the South West. To arrange a free quotation call us on 01656 713950 or visit our website for further details.

 

A&R Security Services, Keyholding services, secure keyholding services, Security Services, Keyholding services, keyholding

5 reasons for outsourcing your keyholding responsibilities.

/0 Comments/in /by

It’s all well and good giving an extra set of keys to your business either to a close friend or work colleague. But if an alarm goes off in the middle of the night you don’t really want to put them in a potentially dangerous risk (especially if there is a threat still at your business).

Here are five reasons to outsource your keyholding responsibilities:

Staff safety

It is estimated that 5% of out-of-hours alarm calls are a result of a genuine break-in situation. If your keyholder is a work colleague or another member of staff, you are potentially putting them at risk should an intruder still be there.

A recent British crime study (2018) confirms the possible risk. It says that property crime accounts for 70% of crimes committed, of those 22% were deemed violent.

By delegating secure keyholding responsibilities to a third party such as A&R Security Services, you are safeguarding your staff. You are also ensuring that any alarm alerts are responded to by a trained security professional.

Corporate Safety

If your keyholder is a key member of your team they tend to be experienced, trusted and valued employees.  However, if such a person is attacked whilst responding to an alarm call, this can have a massive impact on your business. Having a key member of staff off sick can lead to your business operating ineffectively and that’s before you consider sick pay for their recovery period.

Injury in fulfilling work-related duties (even outside of work hours) could leave your company liable for damages. By outsourcing this responsibility, that risk is reduced.

Doubling up

Normally keyholders are paired up to respond to alarm calls, for reasons of personal safety. In real terms, one keyholder is always going to get there first and respond to the alarm, which can put them at risk. Even with two members of staff, their safety isn’t always guaranteed. After all, there is no way to know how many are involved in the break-in.

With third party keyholding services, key holders are already familiar with the possible risks. They can attend the property as a pair if need be and are fully trained security personnel.

Training

Some keyholders aren’t adequately trained to respond to alarm calls and this doesn’t mean dealing with possible intruders at your business (although that is important). Even switching off and resetting the alarm requires a thorough knowledge of the system.

Team morale

By hiring security professionals to act as your company keyholders you send a clear message to your staff. That message is that you value them and their safety. This can greatly boost employee morale as a whole. For keyholders, even if they don’t encounter a threat, it is a difficult role. False alarms in the middle of the night can be infuriating and disruptive. By outsourcing your keyholding responsibilities you’re showing that you care about your employee’s work/life balance.

 

If you’re a business in Cardiff, Swansea, Newport and Bridgend and in need of keyholder services, then get in touch with us. At A&R Security Services, we provide the best Secure Keyholding Services and Alarm Response. For a free quote call us on 01656 713950 or visit our website for more details.

A&R Security Services, Security Services, Security, Knife Crimes, Knife Crime, Serious Knife Crime, Serious Crime, Newport, Cardiff, Swansea, London, Birmingham, Manchester, Blackpool

Knife Crime- Fastest rising crime in the UK

/0 Comments/in /by

In recent news, it’s been reported that in the last 10 years knife crime has increased dramatically – with London and the boroughs surrounding the city having the highest crime rates.

However, data from 34 out of 43 police forces shows the rate of serious knife crime rising dramatically in areas outside of London in city boroughs like Manchester, Slough, Liverpool and Blackpool.

“We are suffering just as much as anywhere else,” said Byron Highton whose brother was fatally stabbed with a sword and an axe while he walked home in Preston, in 2014. “the whole country is suffering from knife crime, but small cities in the north like Preston get no mention”

The BBC asked all 43 regional police forces in England and Wales for detail about serious knife crimes in their area.

In Lancashire, figures showed that knife crime doubled in the past five years, rising from 455 offences in 2014 to 981 in 2018.

In recent years Manchester, Liverpool, Slough and Nottingham are all in the top 25 most dangerous places in England and Wales for serious knife crimes. The safest areas with less than one crime per 10,000 people include Dorset, the Cotswolds, Monmouthshire and the Malvern.

Although, Scotland police collect crime statistic differently so there are no separate records for knife attacks. However, knife possession has increased in recent years with more than 2,300 crimes reported last year.

Although men are usually the target for serious knife crimes, in Blackpool students Keeley 17 and Lauren 18 were both threated on an estate where they live with knives over not allowing a group of lads to play on their half of the pitch while both Keeley and Lauren played football.

In 2018, Blackpool had 14.3 serious knife crime offences per 10,000 people putting it in the top 25 most dangerous places in England and Wales for knife crime, of the 275 areas which gave data.

Drugs, gangs, school exclusion and expulsion rates, unemployment and cuts to services have all been blamed for the rise in youth violence in areas such a Blackpool and Preston. Last month, official figures showed that 8 out of 10 most deprived areas in England alone were in Blackpool.

In 2018, almost half of all suspects of serious knife crimes in England and Wales were aged 24 and under.

So, what does this mean for Cardiff and Wales as a whole?

Although Cardiff is relatively small compared to Manchester and London, it still has its fair share of serious knife crimes.

In July 2019 WalesOnline reported on how one of Wales’ largest hospitals University Hospital of Wales (Heath hospital) described that they were dealing with stabbings on a weekly basis.

The number of offences involving knife crimes has gone up more than 80% across Wales in the past decade. Police have said that teenagers as young as 15 are carrying knives.  Across Wales, in 2011 there were 741 incidents involving knives compared to 1,353 in 2018 – an increase of 83%.

Assistant Chief Constable Jackie Sebire, the national leader in tackling serious violent crime at the National Police Chief’s Council, blamed police funding cuts for the fall in charge rates.

“The large reduction in police funding since 2010 has meant that fewer detectives with less time and a bigger workload taking on long investigations, meaning it can be more difficult to get a charge”

“Some forces who have been given additional funding to tackle violence are using that to improve forensic capabilities, so even when the victim is unwilling to proceed, police can still progress a case.”

A spokesperson from the Home Office responded: “ We are taking action to tackle the violent crime which has such a devastating impact on our communities…. This includes supporting the police by recruiting 20,000 new police officers over the next three years, making it easier for them to use stop and search powers and investing £10m in additional funding to allow forces to increase the number of officers carrying Tasers.”

To read the full BBC article click here

A&R Security Services provides comprehensive security solutions to businesses in Cardiff, Newport, Swansea, Bridgend, South Wales and the South West. If you are in need of concierge services, mobile patrols or secure keyholding services then visit our website or call us on 01656 713950

 

 

 

Rugby World Cup, Rugby World Cup 2019, A&R Security Services, Japan rugby World Cup, Japan, Tourism, Tourist, Rugby

Rugby World Cup: How to stay safe in Japan

/0 Comments/in /by

This year Japan plays host to the 2019 Rugby World Cup, seeing countries from both northern and southern hemispheres battling out to win the rugby world cup trophy.

Although Japan has been voted and reported as one of the safest countries in the world to visit, it is still important to remain vigilant.

So, what should you do to keep yourself safe?

Keep your belongings with you at all times

Although Japan is one of the safest countries in the world in terms of criminal activity, there are still pickpocketers. If you are in crowded places such as public transport or moving around a stadium, pickpocketers will see this as an easy opportunity to steal mobile phones, wallets and purses. To ensure that you aren’t targeted by pickpocketers ensure that your mobile phone or wallet is in the front pocket of your trousers and your hand is on top of it. If you have a backpack or handbag, make sure that it is in front of you and you have your hand on the zip or clasp – ensuring that no one can open your bag and reach in.

Scams

It’s important to avoid carrying large amounts of cash with you in any public areas. In neighbourhoods of Roppongi and Kabuki-Cho in Tokyo, there are known reports of fraudulent credit card charges. To avoid charges don’t allow waiters or vendors to make any transactions with your credit card on their own as they can copy information. Keep an eye on your credit card all the time, especially when paying at restaurants, shops and especially in bars.

Watch your drink

Although you are least likely to get kidnapped or mugged, there is that potential risk that someone will try to harm you while visiting a bar or club. If you are visiting a local bar or club or buying a drink at a stadium, ensure that your drink is covered and with you at all times so that it is not spiked. If you are leaving to use the toilet – make sure that your group keep an eye on your drink at all times. If you are getting a new drink, make sure that to watch the bartender – if you see any suspicious activity with your drink leave it and report it to security or other bar staff. Also, if a stranger offers you a drink, kindly decline.

Sexual Harassment

When travelling on public transport between towns and cities during rush hour, there have been noted incidents of men groping women on trains (however, they usually target local women) If you feel that you are being harassed, move to another part of the train or bus. If you still feel unsafe – alight at a station and report it to local authorities.  If you witness any sexual harassment do not ignore it. Report it!

Terrorism

Japan has the lowest risk of terrorism in the world, but it is still important to remain vigilant. If you see any unattended bags in suspicious areas within a stadium, neighbourhood or on public transport move away from it and report it to security or local authorities.

Here are some other tips to keep yourself safe when visiting japan.

  • Ensure your card details are covered –  when taking money out an international ATM it is important your card PIN details are covered so that they aren’t stolen to perform fraudulent charges.
  • If you’re lost ask for directions – if you are unsure of where you are or lost ask either the local police or shop owners for directions. Even though smartphones and tablets are great for downloading map directions, if these get stolen you might want to keep a physical copy of directions to places of safety.
  • Stay up-to-date – When walking around and visiting cities between matches it is important to know what is going on. If you are in a city it’s important to know if any rallies or large events are going on.
  • Take a portable charger – if you’re walking around Japans many attractions or watching a rugby match, it is advisable to take a portable charger with you to avoid having a flat phone battery and being uncontactable if you get separated from your friends.

A&R Security Services has over 40 years of experience in providing professional security solutions in Cardiff. We are professional in what we do and provide SIA trained guards and have a customer-orientated approach to each client. If you would like to find out more about our security solution get in touch with us on 01656 713950 or visit our website for more details.

Industrial Security, Industrial Security Services, Warehouse Security Services, Warehouse Security, A&R Security Services, Security Services

Industrial security: What is it? And how can it help you?

/0 Comments/in /by

Owning an industrial business in Newport comes with the responsibility of ensuring that everyone who works for you and what is inside your premises always remains safe and secure.

Whether it’s a factory or warehouse on one site or spread over numerous locations in Newport, industrial security is essential if you want your company to succeed.

Recent statistics show that the UK manufacturing industry contributes £6.7 trillion to the economy. However, with that being said, it is vital to look at security options that are effective at deterring thieves, vandals and keeping your industrial business safe.

So, what exactly is industrial security and how can it help you and your industrial business?

Manned Security Guards

Security guards provide a physical presence to prevent trespassers from setting foot on your premises. Manned security guards aren’t just an effective way to spot potential trespassers, they can deter them as well.

Manned security guards can be placed and prevent people from accessing entrances to your industrial unit and can keep watch of anyone who looks suspicious. ID passes can be checked, and inspections of bags and coats can be checked as employees leave the building after business hours.

 

Mobile Security patrols

Just like manned guards – mobile security patrols can be a physical presence to deter potential criminals from your industrial business. Mobile Security patrols are a highly effective form of industrial security, especially if you own warehouses, factories or gatehouses entrances over a number of locations.

 

CCTV Monitoring

CCTV is a widely used and popular form of security. CCTV can be remotely monitored from a central location and can be used in numerous points across different locations. Cameras can be placed in hard to reach areas, as well as near entrances and exits to monitor who is entering and exiting your business.

Also, if any legal action is taken either against you or to prove someone has attempted to carry out a crime on your property, CCTV can be used as evidence.

 

Inspections

Carrying out frequent inspections, both planned and unplanned will provide extra peace of mind knowing that your assets (stock and equipment) is secure at the end of the day.

Carrying out regular car inspections are also useful especially when checking if any vehicles have been broken into and any potential congestions coming in and out of our industrial business is kept to a minimum

 

Alarm installation

Intruder alarms are another popular and regularly used security feature and can alert that there is an intruder at your business – allowing security staff to respond quickly and deter criminals.

When installing an alarm system, it important to find one that will be suitable for your industrial business’ layout. Also, if you have one professionally installed – ensure that it is regularly serviced to prevent false alarms.

 

Security lighting

Security lights can provide that added security, especially during the winter month when daylight is limited and when most criminals operate. Security lighting can be effective when criminals get close to access points – triggering motion sensors and surprising them.

However, when installing security lighting – make sure that controls and wiring are hidden underground or behind large obstacles and lights are installed out of reach.

 

Update PINS and Passwords

No matter the number of employees you have, regularly updating your PINs and passwords regularly will decrease the chances of someone guessing correctly and ruining your business by stealing valuable assets.

If your industrial business as a lot of technology such as tablets, laptops and computers then it is very important to regularly update passwords to reduce the risk of hacking or cyber threats.

 

A&R Security Services provides industrial security solutions to businesses in Newport and South Wales. To find out how our SIA licensed security teams can deliver a service you can trust then call us today on 01656 713950 or visit our website for further details.

Alarm System, intruder alarm, false alarm, false alarms, Security Services, A&R Security Services

Alarm systems: How to avoid false alarms

/0 Comments/in /by

Intruder alarms are a great way of alerting that someone is trespassing on your business. However, if your business is equipped with an intruder alarm, there is a chance that you will experience a false alarm.

False alarms are a lot more than just a nuisance-they can put a strain on emergency services and could potentially incur costly fees.

So, what are the causes of a false alarm?

User error

It’s estimated that 70% of false alarms are caused by user error. This is both a good and bad thing. On the positive, this means that 70% of false alarms can be eliminated and quickly dealt with – with proper training. On the downside, it indicates that employees aren’t properly trained when it comes to the intruder alarm.

To reduce the number of user errors and false alarms, it’s important that staff are properly trained (especially those who are earliest and the last to leave) and are informed of the most up to date passcodes, as well as showing them how to unlock and lock your business properly, arm and disarm the alarm and silence any false alarms.

Motion detectors

Motion detectors are a great way to ensure that you have no unwelcome guests walking around inside your business. However, sensors now are incredibly sensitive to the slightest of movement – which can cause issues.

People aren’t the only things that move. Falling objects (unbalanced paper, umbrellas, coats, etc), object such as blinds or balloons moving in a breeze and even large insects have been known to set off motion detectors.

To minimise the chance to false motion detection, you should ensure that your office is clean and tidy if anything that could potentially activate the sensor before leaving. Moving objects from air conditioning and remove any insects as soon as possible.

Unsecured doors and windows

Most alarm systems will be connected to sensored doors and windows. If one or of these doors or windows is poorly fitted, a false alarm may be triggered. This is because ill-fitting doors and windows may be able to move the slightest (even when closed) triggering sensors especially if there is bad weather conditions or someone slams a door somewhere else within the building.

To reduce the chance or windows and doors setting off your alarm, make sure that all doors and windows are properly fitted. Meaning that when they are closed there is very little to no movement when pushed or pulled.

How to reduce false alarms

Even though the main culprits for false alarms have been highlighted, there are some other things you can do to reduce the chances of experiencing a false alarm.

Carry out routine maintenance – False alarms can be triggered by a fault within your systems. Simple things like batteries running out, short-circuiting or damage. Carrying out regular check can ensure that these don’t happen. If you have an older alarm system – it may be liable to falsely alerts so it may be a good idea to upgrade to a newer system.

Keep everyone in the loop – if you make any changes to your system, it is best to notify your monitoring service provider. This includes adding or changing passcodes, adding or removing authorised users and making changes to arming times/locations.

Enforce entry/exit procedures – it’s important to inform employees of which entrances and exits they are permitted to use and what times. Make sure that employees lock all doors and windows correctly before leaving and show authorised users how to properly arm the system before leaving.

Log all false alarms – If your alarm system is falsely alerting on a regular basis, make sure that you record the time and dates of every occurrence. This will help you work out why your alarm system is falsely alerting and allow you to put measures in place to prevent it from happening again.

Make sure your system is properly installed – when having a new alarm system installed, ensure it is being installed by a certified security provider. An alarm system that hasn’t been installed correctly is far more likely to falsely alert.

 

A&R Security services provide alarm response and secure key holding services to businesses in Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, Bridgend, RCT and South Wales. For more information about our services call us on 01656 713950 or visit our website.