Even though you may not see them, many residential areas are protected by security personnel who watch over private residences to prevent thefts and to keep both homeowners and their family’s safe when emergencies occur. Security guards may be positioned at a customer’s house, or they may monitor it remotely and engage in patrols to help prevent burglaries, vandalism, and attacks on their clients and their property.
Responsibilities of a Security Guard
Professional security personnel are specifically trained in methods to keep people and property safe whether they work in a retail environment, patrol construction sites or monitor activity for residential customers. According to the Security Industry Authority, which is the organisation responsible for regulating private security guard companies, security guards have three main roles:
- They guard businesses or residential premises against unauthorised occupation or access and against damage or outbreaks of violence.
- Security guards help keep property from being damaged or destroyed, stolen or from being illegally being taken or obtained.
- Security personnel may also guard others and keep them safe from assaults, or help prevent injuries as a result of unlawful conduct of others.
There are many ways in which security guards may protect people or property from being stolen, damaged, or otherwise injured. They may monitor a premise by doing foot patrols, use close circuit cameras to watch over a business or residence, stand guard in uniform, or they may install alarms to help alert them to unauthorised activities.
Licensing Requirements for Guards
If you hire a security guard or a security company to help protect your business or your home, it is important that they are well trained and licensed. The SIA is the licensing agency for private security guards in the United Kingdom and they require that anyone seeking to become a security guard:
- is at least 18 years of age
- must be able to work in the UK
- is able to work long hours
- is able to do solitary work
- be in reasonably good shape
- be willing to work for the available pay
Before someone can be licensed to work as a security guard, they must also pass a criminal background check. Some people will pay their fee and take training to become a security guard, but end up failing to qualify because they have some sort of criminal record. For people interested in working in private security, the SIA has a questionnaire they can use to see if they qualify for the work based on their criminal history.
Benefits of Residential Guard Services
In some areas, crimes like burglary and vandalism are increasing. For peace of mind, many homeowners are hiring private security companies to help monitor their homes to keep them secure and their families safe. There are several other benefits to hiring a company to guard your home and personal property.
Watch Over Unoccupied Residence
If you own a vacation home or have a house that is not currently occupied, many security companies will watch over it to keep burglaries and thieves from breaking into the house. Having a presence in the neighbourhood or around the house can help deter would-be criminals and help protect your home. In some cases, the security agency may place guards inside the home so that it appears to be occupied, which can be used as another deterrent against break-ins.
Act as Safety Escorts
If you are concerned with your or your children’s personal safety, many security companies offer a “meet and greet” service to safely get you from your home to your car and vice versa. You simply have to notify the guards when you are leaving your house and they will meet you at the door and make sure you and/or your family is escorted to your car or from your car to your door.
Visual Presence as Deterrent
For homeowners that don’t want anyone living in their home, most security companies have self-contained mobile accommodations for their guards so they can be onsite without being in the house to guard the premises. Being able to see someone guarding the house will usually help deter a burglar and keep anyone away that intends harm to one of the home’s occupants. While the guards are not armed, they are thoroughly trained in techniques that will deter criminals and protect their charges.
24 Hour Response Available
Most security companies will respond to an emergency at their clients’ home anytime during the day or night. They are open 24 hours a day and will monitor your home via closed circuit television, by doing foot and/or drive-by patrols, or by using a monitored alarm system. When an emergency takes place, such as a break-in, the security guards are usually first on the scene to help their clients.
Maintenance Services
If you do have an unoccupied home, many security companies will help ensure that your home’s systems survive the changes in the weather. They will check heating and security systems to make sure they are working correctly. They may also help clean and disconnect services that are not needed while the home is empty and, in addition, the security company will make sure that your home’s services are still operating correctly during and after severe weather emergencies.
Check Credentials
When you need to hire a security company to help protect your home and/or yourself and your family, you should make sure their guards carry licenses issued by the SIA and are fully trained. You should check their experience before hiring a company, as many security guards are former military or police officers who have retired from those occupations.
The security company you hire should discuss your options with you and help you decide which of their services is best for protecting your property or you and your family. If you don’t need to be personally escorted to and from your door to your car, then why pay for a service you don’t need? By hiring an experienced company, you can keep your property secure and your family safe.
