The crime rate in Manchester reached its highest point during the fiscal year of 2021/22, with 126.7 crimes per 1,000 residents reported on record in Greater Manchester.
This was higher than the highest recorded annual crime rate of 122.6per 1,000 residents in 2017/18. Crime rates have increased in general, but crimes against businesses of all size are at theirpeak now. The official crime rate for 2022/23 is not yet published for public access, but all signs indicate towards a further boost in the negative trend.
At this point, it is not only recommended, but also essential for all businesses to consider taking necessary precautions to deter, prevent, and control against criminal activities at their respective business locations. A discussion is therefore important to inform business owners and managers about what options they have regarding commercial security services.
Key Holding
When an alarm is triggered at your place of business, a key holding company will send trained professionals on your behalf to see what’s going on. If any acts of theft, burglary, vandalism, or robbery are in progress, trained securitypersonnel are generally much better equipped to intercept such criminal acts than the average business owner, manageror employee.
The key holding company will also contact the police and/or other emergency services on your behalf and as per standard procedure, based on what they find at the location. If you are in a position to reach the place in time and you are willing to do so, being accompanied by security is a safer option and there will be a much greater chance of foiling the attempted crime.
Concierge
A concierge security service can be a comprehensive solution that caters to multiple needs of certain commercial facilities.While the kind of concierge services being offered by a security company will vary, they generally consist of at least the following:
Note that in order for a concierge security service to have any real chance at preventing or stopping crimes, they must be adequately manned and managed. If the same person is doubling as a receptionist and a security guard, no one should be surprised if an intruder gets in unnoticed. There must be an organised system that allows at least one or more guards to be present at the front door and the CCTV surveillance room at all times.
Mobile Patrols
Mobile patrol guards are generally better equipped and specially trained security personnel than those who work inconcierge security. Mobile patrol guards will patrol and pay visits to your property at both predetermined and random times of the day and/or night.
Depending on the kind of arrangement you have with yoursecurity service provider, their patrols might stay only limited to outside of the building during off-hours, or they may enter and survey the building’s interiors as well. Mobile patrol services will be offered by your key holding company itself, as they already have the necessary clearance to attend to emergencies.
Stewarding
Stewarding security services are somewhat similar toconcierge security services, but there are several key differences between the two. Stewards are typically hired to secure a special event with multiple guests. The event can be anything from office parties and fundraisers to football matches and music concerts. Event management companies work regularly with security service companies who provide specialist stewarding services.
Stewards are, by default, supposed to be trained in providing effective crowd security. They are not likely to double as receptionists, but just like concierges, stewards may also greet guests, monitor the entries and exits, patrol the venue, and monitor CCTV surveillance for signs of brewing or active trouble. Hiring an adequate number of stewards in respect to the concerned event’s location, building design, expected guest number, and expected troubling circumstances is highly recommended for their presence to be truly effective.
It is highly recommended for businesses to only use a single security company, if possible. Centralised security for a business will drastically lower any chances of an internal security breach. By limiting authorised access to your place of business to just one party, you also ensure that any internal security breach is easily identified at source. Be sure to do your research and always work with a security serviceprovider that has a good reputation within the sector.
