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Coronavirus, Lockdown, COVID-19, A&R Security Services, Business Security, Commercial Security, Manned Guard, Mobile Patrol, Key holding and alarm response

How to keep your business safe during lockdown

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With Wales now put into lockdown to prevent further spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) many businesses have closed their doors to ensure the safety of their staff and the public.

However, with the closure of these businesses, many will be vulnerable to criminal activity such as burglaries, vandalism and malicious damages. So, what are they doing to protect themselves during these trying times?

Some businesses will have security measures such as CCTV and alarm systems in place. But these are sometimes not enough to dissuade and protect them from criminals.  To help keep your business safe during this lockdown period here are some effective security measures:

Identify Risks and Objectives.

Conducting risk assessments prior to hiring a professional security service will highlight areas within your business that will need additional security. This will help identify which area of your business is weakest against criminal activity and allows you to implement security measures accordingly.

If your business is still operating but only with a small team then it may be sensible to invest in manned security to increase your security measures.

Keyholding and Alarm Response

Finding someone to be able to hold onto your business’ extra set of keys and respond to alarm call outs at this time can be difficult. Outsourcing your keyholding services to a professional security provider will ensure that there is always someone is available to hold onto your extra set of key and quickly respond to call out – giving you peace of mind.

Manned Guards

Manned guards are both an effective deterrent against criminal activity and effective at crowd control. If your business is still in operation, manned guards can be used to control the number of visitors to your building and ensure that they are sanitising their hands before coming in. Also, if your business is closed over the lockdown period manned guards can be placed inside to monitor CCTV or placed at key access points to ensure that no one attempts to get inside.

Mobile Patrols.

Mobile patrols are another effective deterrent against criminals. Mainly used to patrols large building or areas, mobile patrols guards can patrol the perimeter of your business (Externally or internally) ensuring that access points such as doors, windows and skylights are secure and look out for any suspicious behaviour or disturbance. Mobile patrols can also be key holders, allowing them to quickly respond to any alerts at your business and investigate.

 

Having these security measures in place can help ensure the safety of your business during the lockdown period. If you are going into lockdown but would like to invest in further security, then please take a look at our website for further details or call us on 01656 713950

Metal thefts, metal theft, chruch, rail, construction, Security, Services, A&R Security Services

Are metal thefts on the rise again?

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Metal thefts have a severe impact on a multitude of industries and services within England and Wales.

In 2017 the UK government reported saying that with the introduction of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act, it found that the number of metal thefts fell by more than three quarters in 4 years.

However, with the change in markets and the increase in metal prices, many historical properties, memorials and monuments, services and industries are being targeted.

In recent times Network Rail has reported an 85% increase in the theft of live cables, leading to 950 hours of delay and affecting more than 7,000 journeys across England and Wales. Alongside rail services, Churches across England and Wales have seen an increase in metal thefts, with their lead roofs being stripped and sold for scrap. One striking example was when 20 tonnes of lead – the entire roof – was stolen from All Saints’ Church in Houghton Conquest, Bedfordshire last October. It is estimated that at the prices then it might bring the thieves £25,000 but will cost the church £400,000 to replace.

Although many properties and services are being targeted for their valuable metals there are ways to prevent criminals from stealing.

SelectaDNA ‘Grease’

This product has been developed so that it can be painted onto metals such as Zinc, Copper and Lead. If a thief handles any metals with this grease painted on them, it can transfer onto their hand or cloths and become very difficult to remove – linking them to the crime. The grease is also UV reactive and has a unique DNA signature that can be easily traced.

Painting this specially designed grease makes metals ‘Hot property’ and no one would want to go near them, leading to the prices of metal on the open market to fall.

Install CCTV

CCTV cameras are an effective deterrent against criminals as they do not want to be recognised when committing a crime. When installing CCTV make sure that they are high up and in areas where they cannot be tampered with or damaged.

If you can, hire manned guards during unsociable hours to monitor CCTV activity on your property as they can quickly respond and notify you and the police of any suspicious activity

Security Lighting

Security lighting comes in a vast range of sizes and models but is an effective deterrent (especially when used alongside CCTV Cameras). Security lights can be triggered by movement and can light up anyone that may be attempting to steal any metals.

When installing Security lighting, make sure that they are in a high are and cables are out of reach or are buried within floors or walls so that they cannot be damaged or tampered with.

Remove bushes and other hiding places

Bushes may look pretty but they can make ideal hiding places for criminals that are looking to steal valuable metal. If you have bushes on your property, make sure that they aren’t located close to your building and are at an ideal distance that makes spotting criminals easier.

Remove bins and ladders

Any property that you visit will have large wheelie bins and ladders. When closing your business or property down for the evening, make sure that they are locked away or moved where they cannot be reached and used to get on top of your roof.

Mobile Patrol and Manned Guard Security

Although this may be a more drastic measure for smaller businesses or churches, for larger businesses and construction sites that deal with metal mobile patrols and manned guards are an effective way to deter criminals and protect your property

Manned Guards

Manned guards are an effective deterrent against criminal activity. Some businesses see a lot of activity in and out of their business and it can be difficult to keep track of everyone.

Manned guards can be stationed close to main entrances, checking vehicles and personal coming in and out of your property. They can also conduct monitoring duties where they can monitor CCTV cameras for any suspicious activity within the property and quickly respond.

Manned guards can also restrict the number of people or vehicles on your site at a certain time during the day, making it easier for them to monitor who is on your site but also their activity.

Mobile Patrols

Mobile Patrols can conduct perimeter patrols around your property either by foot or by branded vehicles. Mobile patrols can be conducted at regular or at irregular intervals, making them less predictable to criminals who may be watching your property.

If mobile patrols are away from your property and there is a disturbance, they can quickly respond and check for any suspicious activity or persons within your property.

A&R Security Services can provide professional security solutions to businesses across South Wales. To see further information about our security services visit our website or to arrange a meeting call us on 01656 713950

Warehouse security, Security Services, A&R Security, A&R Security Services

Warehouse Security: 5 Effective Ways to Improve it

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Warehouses in today’s world are not just a storage facility, they are an effective distribution system that is fundamental to the success of a business. However, if you want to have a successful business is with a productive supply chain, you will need to have proper warehouse security in place.

Within Cardiff, there are many warehouses that hold goods that are worth millions and due to this, they can become easy targets for criminals looking to make quick money. Some warehouses in Cardiff are located in industrial estates where others are located in more remote locations due to their size and complex layouts. These factors can create the risk of external theft or theft from employees – which is difficult to detect.

Large companies such as Amazon (with warehouses located in Swansea and Bristol) often report theft from their own employees with one employee suspected of stealing $250,000 worth of goods from their warehouse.

So, to prevent your warehouse being stolen from, we have listed some ways that can improve the security of your warehouse – ensuring that valuable inventory and assets are protected from theft or vandalism.

Employee check/screening

You want to minimise the risks of inventory being stolen from within your warehouse, so conducting check or screenings prior to hiring will help you identify any prior criminal offences.

Controlled access

If your warehouse is large and has areas that shouldn’t be accessed by all within the building, then having a proper access control system can minimise unauthorised personnel from accessing your warehouse. If you need to monitor who is coming to your warehouse, then hiring security guards will help protect your business from losses and maintain your reputation.

Another way of controlling access is through the use of ID Cards or electronic passes that enable access to the building.

A&R Security Services can provide fully trained SIA licensed security guards to monitor access to your warehouse and ensure that your premises don’t fall victim to vandals or anyone posing a threat to your business.

CCTV

CCTV is a highly effective visual deterrent for criminals. When installing CCTV it is best to install them in high places around your building and have multiple video screens to show that employees are watched at any given time.

Mobile Patrols

With warehouses becoming larger and larger to accommodate more inventory, it is important to ensure that every inch of your warehouse is protected. Having full protected within your warehouse and outside will allow your distribution operations to run smoothly.

Mobile patrols have the ability to effectively monitor every inch of your warehouse and maintain total security throughout the warehouse. Many opportunists often take advantage of larger areas and therefore visibility is important. Mobile patrols are fully uniformed and in a marked vehicle and will act as a highly effective security measure.

Random checks

With employee theft on the rise, it’s been reported that thefts have cost UK businesses £40m. Most employees are honest and will not steal from their employer, however, there are a small few who will take advantage of their position.

Carrying out random checks of your workforce will deter employees from taking the opportunity to steal your goods. If you cannot conduct the searches yourself – trained security guards can conduct regular random check and stock takes to ensure that nothing has been stolen or gone missing.

A&R Security Services can provide tailored professional security solutions to warehouses and industrial units in Cardiff and South Wales. To find out more about our security services visit our website or get in touch with us on 01656 713950

 

Mobile Security Services, Mobile Security, A&R Security Services, Mobile Patrols, Mobile Guards, A&R Security Services

Mobile Security: What is it?

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Across Cardiff and South Wales, many security companies – including A&R Security Services – offer mobile security services to businesses.

Mobile Security Services is a core service for any security company, but it plays a key role in providing effective safeguarding and security to thousands of businesses. But even though mobile security plays a key role in safeguarding businesses there are still some businesses who are unsure about what mobile security is.

To help you understand what mobile security is, we’ve written this article about what mobile security is, the types of businesses that can benefit from mobile security and how to choose a mobile security provider

So, to start off – What is Mobile Security?

Many Security companies in Cardiff and South Wales primarily offer two security solutions: Manned guarding and mobile security. Although security providers offer a range of other services including CCTV monitoring, event security, key holding and alarm response – manned guarding and mobile security are the most popular.

Some businesses require 24/7 monitoring to ensure proper security. In these types of circumstances manned guarding is the most appropriate.

This is mainly because manned guards are required to be permanently stationed at a particular location. For example, the entrance to a corporate office building or a construction site. Manned guards act as a visual deterrent and are trained in physical intervention techniques that effectively restrain or remove intruders off-site.

As mentioned before, some businesses or sites require 24/7 monitoring and so manned guards will work through the night, at weekends and during public holidays to ensure that the business or site that they are responsible for is properly secure. Although manned guards sound like that they are only stationed at one particular spot, they can, however, undertake patrols of the premises – but this is usually limited.

Compared to manned guarding, mobile security involves guards actively patrolling large areas or multiple sites (which can be located far away from one another). With some sites being located quite far from each other many mobile guards use fully branded vehicles to cover these areas during their patrols.

During patrols, Mobile security guards will undertake scheduled and random checks of the premises that they are patrolling. This ensures that they are not predictable to anyone who is watching the premises and prevent criminals from planning crimes around their security routine.

As mobile security guards are effectively mobile, the service is often paired up with keyholding and alarm response services. This means that guards are able to access your premises at unsociable hours without having to wake you – and can grant you and your employees’ access if the originals set of keys are lost.

Also, if your security alarm system goes off, mobile security guards can quickly respond – making it more likely for criminals to be caught.

Many believe that some security alarm systems have a direct connection to the police, but this isn’t true. So instead, specially trained security controllers in Alarm receiving centres (ARCs) must confirm activations are genuine before alerting emergency services. This means that mobile security guards are often first on the scene when an alarm has sounded.

Whilst mobile security guards are on your premises, they will conduct thorough assessments to ensure that important security protocols such as locking doors and windows, turning on security lights, setting alarm, etc. are adhered to.

When is mobile security used?

Depending on your business security requirements, mobile security can be used as a stand-alone service or used alongside other security services such as manned guarding or keyholding and alarm response.

How do you choose the right Mobile Security Provider?

Within Cardiff, South Wales and the UK, the security industry is steadily growing – which means that there are many security providers offering security solutions. But finding a good security provider can be like finding a needle in a haystack and prove rather difficult. That being said, with the right know-how there are some things that you can look out for when looking for a new security provider.

  • SIA licensing – In the UK the security industry is governed and regulated by the SIA. With any security provider, they must have an SIA license in order to legally carry out their jobs. As such, always ask a potential provider if their staff holds a full SIA license. If they don’t or the company doesn’t have one, then they are breaking the law.
  • Other accreditations – Like any company a good security provider will place a high value on gaining professional and industrial accreditations. These may include qualifications that demonstrate how well they treat their staff, that they operate in an environmentally friendly way or that they adhere to good health and safety practices.

We at A&R Security Services we employ all of our staff in-house and ensure that all our guards are SIA licensed so that they can operate legally. We are Safe contractor approved and also ISO:14001 and ISO:9001 accredited ensuring that we look after our staff, operate in an environmentally friendly way and adhere to good health and safety practices.

A&R Security Service provides a range of security solutions to businesses in Cardiff and South Wales. Whatever your security needs, we will be able to provide the right security solutions that work for you – whether that is mobile security patrols or construction security.

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?

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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.