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SIA, SIA Licensed Guards, SIA Security Guards, Construction Site Security, Construction sites, Construction Site, Construction Security, Security Servives, Security, Cardiff, Newport, Bridgend, Swansea, RCT, A&R Security Services, A&R Security

Construction Site Security – Why should you have fully SIA licensed guards on your site?

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Construction sites up and down South Wales can become very easy targets for criminal activity. The construction industry suffers enormous loses as a result of theft of equipment and materials, and damage by arson attacks. It is estimated between £600million and £1billion were lost because of theft alone from construction sites across South Wales and the UK.

A large portion of these losses can be attributed to inefficient or non-existent construction security measures.

Construction sites are easy targets for thieves. Constant staff turnover means it is difficult to keep good construction site security records. High-value equipment such as heavy machinery can lead to quick turnover and easy profits for successful thieves.

Even though construction sites are easy targets for criminals, many sites will contract external security services with fully licensed guards.

So why is it important to have fully licensed SIA security staff?

SIA (Security Industry Association) is an organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry.

Anyone who wants to work in the private security industry must have a full SIA license. Having a full SIA license means that anyone who is a security guard is legally able to work and have the skills and training necessary to operate.

However, fully licensed SIA security guards also require a CSCS Construction Related Occupation (CRO).  The reason why security guards must hold a CSCS card is to show that they can operate safely on a construction site. During day or night patrols, individuals must be aware of specific health and safety risks that are exclusive to a construction site. This is so that a security guard can work safely, efficiently, minimising the possibility of accidents.

SIA Licensed Security guards can perform a range of duties on a construction site including:

·         Manned and Mobile guarding

·         Door/ gate supervision

·         Public Space Supervision (CCTV)

·         Secure Keyholding

Manned / Mobile Security

Having Manned and or Mobile Security is effective at deterring any potential criminal activity. Having security guards not only allows you to place them in areas that are likely to be entered by criminals, but you can also have them patrol the site – covering all areas. This is especially helpful overnight or when the site is unattended for a period of time.  We at A&R Security services can provide manned guarding services to properties that require guarding 24/7, deterring any criminals from attempting to vandalise or steal from your site.

Door/Gate Supervision

Construction sites aren’t just new builds – they can be redevelopments of existing buildings. But these types of construction sites can still be easy targets for criminals. Placing guards in front of gates or doors can help monitor who is coming in and out of your site and watch out for any suspicious vehicles or activity.

Public Space Supervision (CCTV)

CCTV is frequently used by businesses and can be used as an effective deterrent for construction-based crimes. Placing security cameras around the perimeter of your site will discourage criminals but also identify any who try to either enter, vandalise or steal from your site.

CCTV can be an effective way for Security guards to monitor but also rapidly respond to any infiltrations. CCTV can also be used in court to help prosecute any offenders who manage to steal or damage the site.

Secure Key Holding

Although it is very easy to give someone a set of keys to your site in case of an emergency there is no stopping that person from letting anyone into your site and causing criminal damage. Security Guards can hold your keys and quickly respond to any suspicious activity on your site during out of hours. They can also allow trades onto your site and monitor them coming in and out – and can securely lock up your site at the end of the day.

If you are interested in Manned Guarding, Mobile Patrols, Secure Key Holding or other commercial security services please visit our website or call us on 01656 713950

Staying safe at night, personal security, walking at night, staying safe while walking at night, walking alone at night, walking at night, A&R Security Services, A&R Security

Tips for staying safe while walking at night in Cardiff

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Whether it is after a night out with friends or coming home from work, many residences in Cardiff will find themselves walking alone at night. For some living in Cardiff, it is a regular occurrence – for others, it is a far less common thing. Either way, walking at night can be a daunting and slightly scary experience – especially if you are unfamiliar with the area.

To keep yourself safe and to make your night-time journeys a bit more bearable, here are some tips for staying safe while walking at night in Cardiff.

Keep your keys ready

If you’re walking home or to your car, hold your keys in your pocket. Select the one you need and keep it in the proper position so that when you get to your destination you don’t have to fumble for keys and get distracted.

Wear or carry appropriate shoes

A good set of heels can finish the perfect outfit, but they aren’t the most practical to walk in. If you are planning on walking home at some point during your night out and your journey home, try to wear shoes you’re comfortable walking in. If trainers aren’t a realistic option (they don’t fit in your handbag) stash a pair of lightweight pumps, before you go out.

Stick to well-lit areas

During the day it is easy to take shortcuts through side paths,  lanes and parks to get to your destination quicker. But these areas can change during the night and can become perfect places for someone to hide in the dark and attack. It may take longer than normal to get to your destination, but it is important to stick to well-lit areas and densely populated areas such as housing estates. Try to avoid walking through lanes, side paths, parks and open fields.  If you are forced to walk on the road – face traffic coming towards you, meaning both yourself and vehicles will see each other in the night.

Fake it until you get home.

Criminals will often target people who don’t look confident while walking home. If you are someone who feels nervous while walking, try to make yourself look confident, walk tall, take speedy strides and keep your eyes forward (don’t be afraid to make eye contact with those you pass). If you get lost or begin to start to feel panicked don’t change your gait, just head to a nearby store, restaurant or pub so that you can gather your bearings.

No headphones

A lot of us like to walk while listening to music to help calm our nerves (especially during the night) but wearing headphones affects your ability to detect sounds around you. To remain alert, keep your headphones out. This will help you avoid traffic and notice and respond to any unusual sounds.

Phone a friend

Call a friend or family member. If it is early in the night a pleasant chat with a loved one will calm your nerves and let people know where you are. Even if it is very late. If you are genuinely concerned, someone will be happy to take your call. Stay on the phone until you reach your destination and talk them through what is happening.

Worried? Head to a safe place

Even at night, you can use certain places to seek refuge. For example, many bars and pubs will have security officers positioned outside. If you’re worried and such a venue is nearby, walk toward it – the presence of trained security guards and member of the public will deter criminals from targeting you. Other safe places include corner shops and police stations. If you strongly believe that ones if following you, call the police.

A few other tips:

·         Mobile phones can double up as a torch

·         You can carry a whistle around your wrist or hand in case you need to raise an alarm.

·         Regardless of the cost, if you are tired, lost, drunk or distracted take a taxi home.

·         Don’t text or play games on your phone while you walk.

·         Leave valuables – such as Laptops or tablets – at home.

A&R Security Services offer night time manned and mobile security services in Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, Bridgend and RCT. If you would like to arrange a free quote call 01656 713950

Burglaries, Swansea, Cardiff, Newport, RCT, Bridgend, Security, Commercial Security, A&R Security Services

3 most common types of commercial burglaries in Swansea

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According to recent reports and statistics from Police.uk there were 1,231 burglaries reported in Swansea between August 2018 and July 2019.

Combined with data from You.gov – which shows that burglaries cost small businesses on average £2K and the UK economy over £1.8bn – clearly showing that burglaries present a threat to businesses in Swansea.

In order for business owners to protect their business, staff and assets, it’s important for business owners to understand what they are up against. Knowing what they are up against allows business owners to implement necessary security procedures that will protect their business.

There are three types of commercial burglaries. Here we’ll outline what they are as well as give you tips on how to avoid becoming a target.

Opportunistic Burglaries

These types of burglaries are often carried out on a whim. For example, a potential criminal may notice an open window or door that has been left unlocked. By taking advantage of these lapses in security, an opportunistic burglar will enter your property and steal as much as they can in a short amount of time.

Most of the time, opportunistic burglars will make little to no effort to conceal their presence and avoid detection by alarms or CCTV, and will often enter your property quickly, grab whatever they see and then leave.

Opportunistic burglars are the easiest to prevent. However, within the last year, only 5% of burglaries in the UK were solved by police, indicating that even opportunistic burglars aren’t successful.

In order to prevent opportunistic burglaries:

·         Ensure that doors and windows are closed and locked whenever your premises is unoccupied.

·         Close blinds to ensure burglars can’t see into your property.

·         Lock valuables and important documents in secure lock draws or cabinets

·         Don’t leave cash on your property (if it is un-avoidable keep it in a secure safe)

 

Smash and grab burglaries

Smash and grab burglaries involve criminals using heavy objects to smash windows and gain entry into a property. Occasionally stolen vehicles or heavy machinery are used to ram into shop fronts and help thieves make a quick getaway.

Crimes involving vehicles being used to ram into buildings is often known as ‘Ram Raiding’ and are especially dangerous to the public, to your staff and can be expensive to recover from.

Whether smash and grab burglars use a vehicle or not – Smash and grabs can often occur day or night, usually targeting the front of the building and are often over with within a minute.

To protect yourself from Smash and grabs:

·         Use metal shutters to protect the front of your business.

·         Ensure to use high-density glass on windows and doors throughout the property

·         Position visible CCTV cameras so that you always have a clear view of any large windows or doors.

·         Station security guards at the front of your business.

 

Sophisticated Burglaries

Unlike Opportunistic or smash and grab burglaries, sophisticated burglaries are often undertaken by criminals who observe to minimise their chances of being caught, as well as maximising the amount of time they can spend within your property.

Any criminal looking to undertake a sophisticated burglary will observe you and your staff and spot vulnerable security points that can later be exploited. For example, if your building is unoccupied either overnight or for a couple of days, they may choose these times to act. They may also approach employees in order to get insider information about your alarm system and how it can be deactivated. Alternatively, they purposely set your alarm system off numerous times to stop security guards and police responding to your property’s alarm system (thinking there is a fault).

To avoid becoming a victim here are some tips to help:

·         Hire mobile security guards to patrol the exterior and interior of your property at unscheduled times.

·         Ensure your staff do not give out codes or security information – regularly change your alarm codes.

·         Respond to all alarm soundings – no matter if it is a fault with the system or a purposeful activation

·         Hire manned security to guard your property overnight and over weekends

·         Monitor CCTV footage to see if anyone is spending time outside observing your property for long periods of time or approaching employees.

A&R Security Services provides professional security services in Swansea including manned guarding, mobile security, alarm installation and monitoring, and secure key holding services. If you would like to know more about our services call us on 01656 713950 or visit our website for more details.

Freshers Week, Freshers, Cardiff, Swansea, RCT, Newport, University, Students, Cardiff University, Cardiff Met, University of South Wales, Swansea University, USW, A&R Security Services, Security Services

University Guide – Keeping yourself safe during Freshers Week

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With the university academic year starting soon, the biggest student party will be marked on every student’s calendar – Freshers Week!

Bars and night clubs in Cardiff, Swansea, Newport and RCT will be filled to the brim with students through the week – all looking to enjoy a good time. But Freshers week is the perfect time for criminals to strike – pickpocketing phones and/or money, administering drugs to un-suspecting students or dealing drugs to students who want to experience illegal highs.

So, with Freshers week fast approaching, what can you do to keep yourself safe?

Valuables

Take a cheap or older phone – Phones are one of the most targeted items by pickpocketers. Often if pickpocketers see an older or cheap phone, they won’t attempt to take it from you.

Keep your phone or wallet in front of you – A lot of students will often put their wallets or phones in their back pockets and female students will have handbags which can be easily reached by pickpocketers. To prevent pickpocketers from going after your phone or wallet, place them in the front pockets of your trousers and keep your hand on top. If you have a handbag, make sure that it is in front of you and keep your hand on the zip or clasp so no one can open it and reach in.

Use a passcode and Install ‘Find my Phone’ – Having a passcode is a basic but secure way to make sure that no one can gain access to important information on your phone. If your phone has been stolen, a passcode can act as a way to prove if your stolen phone is in fact either the pickpocketers or yours. If you are worried about your phone being stolen, install ‘Find my Phone’. This allows you or security to track your phone and is a fast way of getting your phone back.

 

Sexual Harassment or attack

Sexual Harassment or attack – If you are in a situation in a night club/ bar or outside and feel that you are being harassed or going to be potentially attacked, get the attention of security guards on doors or any police that are present. If you are with friends and cannot get the attention of security or police, tell them immediately and try to move away.

Stay in a group – Staying in a group ensures that you don’t get separated by anyone trying to harass you. Don’t wander off on your own and if you are going to the bar or toilet, tell your friends where you are going so they know where you will be and will expect you to return.

Report it – If you or a group of friends see any sexual harassment or attack on another person, immediately report it to security or police. Don’t ignore it.

 

Anti-Social Behaviour

Stay out of arguments or fights and report anything which gets out of hand to security.

If you feel uncomfortable in a night club or bar, move somewhere else to save arguments or anti-social behaviour.

Report anything suspicious to security staff or call 999 in an emergency – such as people in possession of weapons.

 

Health

Illegal Drugs – If you are in a night club/ bar make sure that your drink is in front of you or is covered by your hand. If you are by the bar getting a drink, make sure to keep track of your drink while it’s being made or served and if you see anything suspicious, send it back and request another one. If you see someone slip something into another persons’ drink – let that person know not to drink their drink and report it to security.

If you are outside or in a bathroom inside the bar/night club and are offered drugs – do not accept them no matter how much either the dealer or others try to persuade you. If you do see any drug deals or any other suspicious behaviour – report it immediately to security or police.

If someone is under the effects of drugs – report it to security or police so that they can notify emergency services.

 

Terrorism

Although there haven’t been many reported attacks on night clubs and bars during Freshers week it is still important to remain vigilant.

Suspicious Activity – If you see anyone acting suspiciously or see a suspicious object such as a bag, report it immediately to security or police and move as far away as possible.

Emergency – If you do feel that there is an emergency get the attention of security or call 999. If there is an emergency, keep calm and follow the instruction of security staff or the police.

Take a portable charger – If there is an emergency or you are separated from friends in an emergency, take a portable charger to keep your phone fully charged so that you can contact emergency services or friends.

 

A&R Security Services provide professional security services in Cardiff, Swansea, Bridgend, Newport and RCT. If you are interested in manned/ mobile security, alarm installation and monitoring, and secure key holding services – call us on 01656 713950 or visit our website.

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

Benefits of having A&R Mobile Security Guards

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Businesses in South Wales and the South West are constantly under threat from criminals and so installing or implementing strong security is an effective way at dissuading criminals from attempting to cause a crime at your business.  One strategy that can dissuade criminals from your property is mobile security guards.

Mobile security guards are an effective way of dissuading criminals from attempting to cause a crime at your business – Whether that is on one or multiple sites. Unlike manned guarding, mobile security can perform regularly scheduled or un-scheduled checks on the entirety of your property. This makes mobile guards perfect for shopping centres, rural businesses, industrial estates and large industrial units.

Here we’ll be highlighting key benefits that come with having Mobile Security Guards.

Strong Visible Presence

When protecting your business, you want criminals to know that it is effectively secured and protected. Uniformed mobile security guards can give a strong presence and warning to whoever is scoping out your business.

24/7 Monitoring

Mobile security guards can operate at any time of the day. But most criminals like to operate under the cover of darkness to avoid being spotted. By ensuring your property is being monitored regularly it will make it more difficult for criminals to get at your property.

Rapid Response

As mobile security guards are not fixed to one position they need to quickly respond to any emergency – whether that is an alarm sounding, an intruder caught on CCTV or guards getting notified of suspicious behaviour.  For them to quickly respond to any emergency, a good mobile patrol team will ensure that they are always either on-site or in close proximity to it throughout the duration of their shift. Mobile Security will also record any incidents in logbooks, detailing any security events, so that you have a record of what has happened.

Health and Safety Skills

If there is a medical emergency or a fire, having first aid and fire safety trained mobile security guards will be beneficial. If any of your employees or visitors become unwell, if a fire breaks out or there are a health and safety issues – a patrol officer knows how to deal with the situation in a rapid and professional manner.

Internal Patrols

Mobile Security can patrol your property externally, but they can also patrol internally. They can monitor and patrol areas of your building such as warehouses, rooms that contain valuables, corridors and stairways.  While patrolling they can remove any health and safety hazards and ensure emergency exits are clear of any clutter and debris.

Keyholding

Alongside patrols, monitoring and H&S skills, Mobile security guards can offer secure key holding services. If your business has work scheduled to be carried out after working hours or you have early/late deliveries, mobile security can allow them into your property but also monitor who is coming in and out of your building. Also, if your alarm system goes off, mobile security can enter your property and check for any suspicious behaviour.

Here at A&R Security Services, we offer professional Mobile Security Guards to businesses across South Wales and the South West. To find out more about our services call us on 01656 713950 or visit our website.  

shoplifting, Security, retail security, A&R Security Services, A&R Security, Shoplifters, retail, Cardiff, Bridgend, Swansea, RCT, Newport

Retail security: 5 ways to prevent shoplifting

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During high peaks in the shopping calendar, retail business owners will see an influx of people visiting local shops, shopping centres and supermarkets. During this busy period and with so many people visiting stores, it can present the perfect opportunity for shoplifters to steal your goods.

In Cardiff, shoplifting accounts for 9.88% of the cities crimes committed between July 2018 and June 2019. Although this number is small compared to other places around the UK, it can have a damaging effect on small retail businesses.

To help prevent loses, here are 5 easy ways to prevent shoplifting.

  1. Welcome, Every Customer – Welcoming every customer serves two functions. Firstly it makes genuine customers feel welcomed and looked after. Secondly, it demonstrates to potential shoplifters that you are paying attention – and that may be enough to dissuade them from trying to steal any of your stock.
  2. Consider the layout and design of your store – Although you may occasionally meet a ‘Grab and Run’ shoplifter, more common ones are more likely to spend longer in your shop trying to conceal items on their person. These types of shoplifters need time and space, so you need to make sure your store doesn’t make it easy for them. Blindspots are the first thing a shoplifter will look for, so when designing your store, eliminate them by using mirrors and adequate lighting. Continuing with the first point and welcoming every customer, place your till quite close to the front of the store so you have a full view of both the shop front and the rest of the shop floor. Keep fixtures and displays low to increase your visibility. If you have change facilities, check on how many items they have when entering by giving them a tag and limit the number of items that they can enter with at one time.
  3. Keep your products ‘Faced’ –  A cluttered store is an easier target to shoplift from compared to a clean one. When stocking shelves, make sure that they face forward and are placed on the edge of the shelf. When people take things from this ‘Wall’ you can keep track of who’s taken what. If they’re a genuine customer they will come up to you to make a purchase. If not, you will notice any would-be shoplifters attempting to leave your store.
  4. Anti-theft/shoplifting signs – Shoplifters will always look for small soft targets such as small shops and boutiques, which lack the resources to properly protect themselves.  Larger stores employ simpler techniques such as using anti-theft/shoplifting signs. Although these types of signs may not fit your shops look, they are an effective way of discouraging shoplifters and are a cost-effective solution. You can place these signs quite high up close to CCTV cameras since shoplifters are for more likely to look for these than legitimate customers.
  5. Professional Retail Security – Hiring professional retail security can be a bit overkill if you’re a small business but their presence is an effective deterrent to shoplifters. Having retail security allows them to quickly respond to any suspicious behaviour or theft in your store. Additionally, retail security can provide overnight security – keeping your property secure 24/7

If you would like to find out more about our security services or would like a quote, call 01656 713950 or visit our website for more details

A&R Security Services, A&R ,Security Services, Security Lighting, Exterior Security Lighting, Commercial Security Services

Security light – Which is best for your business?

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Sixty per cent of commercial burglaries takes place in the evening or at night. This is because criminals know that they are far less likely to be identified or posted under the cover of darkness. To combat this, one of the most effective corporate security measures that can be put in place is exterior security lighting.

There are different types of exterior security lighting systems available. Your business locations, level of threat and your budget will determine the type of system that would suit you best.

Motion Activated Security Lights – Installing security lighting will make you see an increase in your electricity bill so you may want to consider using motion-activated lighting. Unlike other security light systems, motion-activated security lights only activate when they detect movement. As they are not permanently on, they won’t make your electricity bill break the bank and your premises are secure.

Solar flood lights – An environmentally friendly and cost-effective option, solar floodlighting is cost-effective as it gets its energy directly from the sun. Solar floodlighting is incredibly effective and with new systems having LED lighting, they provide a better quality of light giving you or your security guards the ability to identify trespassers. If your building has a power cut during out of hours, the solar lights will remain operational.

Halogen lighting – Halogen lights produce a bright white light that is the most popular system for security services to use. Halogen lights come in a wide range of designs and styles and can be used to light large outdoor areas such as car forecourts and trade yards.

Fluorescent lighting – first invented in the 1980s, fluorescent lighting has come a long way and is today used around the world – most often used in office strip lighting. Fluorescent light bulbs tend to last 10 times longer and use around 75% less energy compared to other bulbs. However fluorescent bulbs do buzz when turned on and so they may not be appropriate if your business is in a residential area.

HID (High-Intensity Discharge) Lighting – HID Lighting is perhaps the most effective exterior lighting solution. HID exterior security lights can make more visible light per unit of power than fluorescent and incandescent lights. HID lights cover large areas, making them ideal for lighting large external areas.

A&R Security Services can offer industrial Security Solutions including security guards and mobile security officers. If you would like more information or would like to request a quote then call 01656 713950 or visit our website for more details

Cardealership, A&R Security Services, Professional Security Services, Dealership security

Designing a lock-tight dealership security plan.

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It goes without saying that dealerships have tens of thousands of pounds worth of cars on their premises, so they must take their security seriously. In addition to keeping high priced vehicles protected, dealerships must also focus on keeping their customers and employees safe.

Thieves are drawn to high-value items that end-up returning a high profit so it’s important that dealerships don’t make it easier for criminals to breach their security.

Identifying weak points and securing them.

With any dealership, it’s important to assess potential weak points. This can be done by employing a security firm to assess access points and other potential weak points that would allow criminals to get in.

Here are some of the main places to pay attention too:

1.       Perimeter

2.       Carparks

3.       Main building and showroom

4.       Lighting

5.       Staff and customers

Perimeter:

The perimeter of your dealership is your first line of defence against criminals, and it’s in your best interest to keep it as secure as possible.

Make sure that access points are clearly protected, and that fences, walls and gates are used to protect the surrounding area. To boost your physical security barriers, you can employ security staff to man certain areas or mobile security to patrol the entirety of your dealership. You can also employ CCTV camera’s to visually monitor any suspicious activity.

Carparking:

The last thing dealerships want to do is attract criminals, so high valued vehicles should be stored inside showrooms and garages, rather than being left outside. Vehicles outside of the showroom can become easy potential targets to criminals – so having each of the car’s handbrakes engaged and employing parking blocks around the cars and major entrances and exits can deter criminals.

Main Building and Showroom:

The main building and the showroom are major potential targets and it’s imperative that they are secure. When no one is present at the dealership, it is important that windows, doors and other access points are securely locked before leaving. As previously mentioned, having manned guarding can ensure that the inside of the building won’t be broken into and employing CCTV camera’s inside can help monitor any activity. Installing security alarms is one security option that can easily alert to anyone trying to enter your dealership and there is a range of systems that will suit your needs.

Lighting:

Visibility is a major key in dealership security and safety. Therefore, the exterior and interior lighting are extremely important. Dealerships should make sure that they have adequate lighting for the entire exterior of your dealership premises. If you have areas that aren’t well lit, it’s good to employ motion-activated lighting. Motion-activated lights are triggered by movement and can make criminals feel caught and exposed. 

Staff and customers:

It’s not always criminals that pose threats to your dealership. Threats can be actions that are taken by customers or the staff themselves. It’s important to make staff aware that they can play an important role in keeping your dealership safe and secure. Create an environment of honesty so that all staff don’t hesitate to take action when they witness something out of the ordinary, whether done by a customer or employee.

We at A&R Security services work with a number of car dealerships and can provide tailored security solutions to suit your needs. If you would like to have a free quote call us on 01656 713950 or visit our website for more details.

Event Security Services, Security Services, Security

Having Effective Event Security

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With the British summer being set to be filled with an array of music events, festivals, sporting and community events, there has never been a more important time to stress the importance of event security.

Over the past few years, both small and large events have been targets for attacks, so security at events needs to hit the mark in protecting both the public and staff.
But what can be done to keep guests safe and an event trouble-free?

1. Choose the right venue – when planning an event and choosing a venue, keeping security in mind is important. Internal venues such as Concert halls, theatres, hotels, museums, etc are naturally secure sights, with physical barriers. Most venues will have emergency evacuation strategies in place with staff already briefed in preventing public panic and mass exiting. Major venues will have increased their security planning and provision significantly in answer to threats that events and venues face. Outside events such as festivals need a little bit more effort with security and patrols, planning how perimeters will be secured and properly patrolled.

2. Conducting security assessments- assessing potential threats to and at an event is important when protecting guests. High profile events such as music festivals, charity events or awards with celebrities and other prominent figures present more of a security challenge. Even with the level of security threat is known – a security assessment will highlight weak points in a security plan. When planning an event and putting a plan in place – it’s always good practice to have a contingency plan to ensure the smooth running of your event if anything were to go wrong. If you’re planning an event think ‘How will an uninvited guest be handled? What will happen in the event of a security breech? How will emergency procedures be implemented?’

3. Brief your team – when planning or running an event – communication is key! A breakdown in communication can make a plan fall apart and an event fail. Effectively communicating to your security team what their roles are and the protocols of what to do in an emergency. For example, if there is a need for mass evacuation, which exit are they to staff? Who will liaise with emergency services? How will your security keep guests staff safe?

4. Screening guests and staff – With recent attacks on events, security have had to screen guests and staff at venues. From checking bags to scrutinising tickets, security staff need to be clear and confident in screening both staff and guests when entering a venue.

5. Hire a professional security company – To ensure your event is really safe and secure, hiring a professional security firm can be critical. Professional security firms can perform detailed security assessments on your venue and plans, as well as providing SIA licensed security staff. Professional security firms are fully insured and can create bespoke packages from patrolling to front-of-house staff.

A&R Security Services has over 40 years of experience in the security industry and have worked with a number of customers across South Wales and the South West. We can offer bespoke event security packages that suit your needs. If you would like to know more or would like a quote, contact us on 01656 713950 or visit our website for more details.

School Security, Security, A&R Security Services, Summer Holidays, ARSS

Do you have school security for the summer holidays?

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Summer has arrived and school is nearly out! However, there are some people out there that ruin your summer plans, risking personal safety and property loss.

School summer holiday security should be on the top of the list for teachers and parents. According to statistics, the highest percentage of burglaries, thefts and vandalism occur during the summer holidays.

With technology becoming an integral part of teaching, property such as tablets, laptops/computers, projectors and smart boards can become potential targets for theft.  Tablets and laptops are the easiest of targets to steal as they can be easily taken and concealed within bags and jackets. Tablets and laptops are often protected with passcodes and encryption which can dissuade most criminals but there are more persistent criminals that are able to crack encryptions and quickly sell them on, becoming untraceable by the school or police authorities.

When securing tech such as tablets and laptops, it’s good practice to store them out of sight inside secure cupboards that have either a key lock or passcode system, with the cupboard being securely fixed to the floor.

Without completely dismantling a computer apart, it can be difficult to put them out of sight or in a secure location. Securing computer monitors and towers with anti-theft cables and locks to the desk can prevent thieves from quickly grabbing them and making a quick getaway. Projectors can be secured in a very similar way, where they are secured with anti-theft cables and locks to their cradle.

So that’s the tech secured, what about the rest of the school?

CCTV

Installing CCTV in inconspicuous areas and near access points allow you to monitor any activity in different areas of your school premises.  CCTV is an effective way of visually monitoring any suspicious activity which you can immediately respond to. If you do have a break-in, CCTV can be watched back allowing you to identify any perpetrators that have entered your premises and have stolen or damaged property. It can also be used as evidence in legal cases such as convictions for theft or vandalism.

Security Lighting

Criminals often look for access points or areas of a premises that aren’t well lit so installing motion-activated security lighting outside can help deter criminals. Using security lighting is not only effective at lighting certain areas(when triggered by movement) they can activate and make a trespasser feel like they have been caught in the act but also feel exposed, effectively deterring them from accessing your school further. Security lights are also good to use alongside CCTV camera’s to clearly identify any criminals on your school premises.

Alarm System

Installing an alarm system is seen as the most basic of security measures but they are the most effective. Whenever a security alarm is triggered, it can alert the right people to respond. Alarm systems come in a range of systems so it is important to find the right one that would be effective at protecting your school from criminals.

Manned and Mobile guarding

Looking to have manned or mobile security can be a bit of a drastic security strategy plan but it can effectively send a message to any criminals that your school is professionally protected. Having professional security guards that are SIA licensed can guard certain areas or patrol the school premises and look out for any suspicious activity, detaining anyone who is entering your schools’ premises without permission. Security guards can also monitor CCTV and alarm systems, responding to any activity in your school premises.  If your school is having work carried out over the summer holidays, security guards can check anyone coming in and be a point of contact if anything were to happen.

Internal Security Door Systems

If you’re worried about unauthorised personnel entering your school during building work or holiday clubs, you can employ security guards to monitor activity in and out of the school or you can employ internal door security systems. Having internal security door systems such as a passcode or key card/fob system gives you the ability to track who is coming in and out of the building at what time. It can also prevent anyone who is not staff from entering your school or certain areas inside. Use of the incorrect passcode/key card/ fob can deny access to the school but if used too many times, can alert the right authorities that someone is trying to gain access to an area that is restricted.

If you are considering upping your school’s security for the summer holidays, then get in touch with A&R Security Services. We at A&R Security Services know the importance of protecting your property and can offer a range of services including:

Manned Guarding

Mobile Patrol

Alarm installation

Secure key holding and alarm monitoring

If you would like to know more about these services or would like a quote, then get in touch with us on 01656 713950 or visit our website.