REGARD SECURITY AS AN INVESTMENT

Security can sometimes be regarded by companies as a grudge spend, rather than an investment as it should be, with purchasers opting to buy the minimum and cheapest service possible.

Sourcing contract security is still a minefield for purchasers and there are companies guarding prestigious sites in the West Midlands which have no accreditations. Yet they get away with it!

These companies do this because they can charge prices that are really competitive, owing to the fact that they do not fulfil their obligations when it comes to staff. They do not proffer them holiday pay, they give them cash in hand, have inadequate employee insurance, have poor rates of pay and force excessive hours of work on their staff. Additionally, their employees have inadequate support and supervision, lack training, have to endure unsafe working practises and no screening or 'Right to work in the UK' checks. All these benefits cost money, which are paid by reputable companies, but good salesman in rogue companies can promise the earth and unknowing purchasers can fall for it.

The Government has come some way to improving standards with the introduction of the Security Industry Authority (SIA) licensing and the voluntary Approved Contractors Scheme (ACS). Choosing an SIA approved contractor for the provision of your contract security services will help you to meet your security obligations to your staff, shareholders and other stakeholders. The wide-ranging benefits of using an Approved Contractor can be summarised as:

• Assurance of supplier good practice and continuity of quality
• Your requirements met through greater supplier flexibility and effectiveness
• Customer focused suppliers that are responsive to change
• Potential to extend your security network through enhanced working relationships and initiatives

Purchasers should ask the following questions and not be satisfied with only the salesman's word:

Screening

• Does my current company conduct a minimum of five years retrospective vetting?
• Does my current company contact all previous employers over the last five years?
• Are all gaps in employment accounted for?
• Is the screening process documented and recorded?
• Is a senior member of staff responsible to ensure this is all carried out?

Training

• Does each security officer receive basic job training before on-site deployment?
• Are employee training records kept?
• Do any security officers have a recognised security qualification?

Terms & Conditions

• Do staff receive an adequate level of pay?
• Do staff receive holiday entitlement?
• Do staff receive sick pay?
• Are you satisfied staff do not work excessive hours?

Management and Supervision

• Does the company operate a secure, efficient and well-managed control room?
• Does it comply with building & fire regulations?
• Is remote supervision operated through check calls?
• Are records kept to check the running of sites?
• Has a competent person conducted a site survey and issued a written report, including health, safety and risk assessment prior to providing the service?
• Will you approve and sign a copy of the Assignment Instructions for your site?
• Is there a system of proper supervision and management for nights and weekends?
• Are incidents notified to senior management?

Quality Standards

• Can the company certify it complies with the codes of practice for the security industry?
• Is the company certified to ISO9001?
• Is the inspecting body accredited by UKAS?

Only when you receive satisfactory answers to all these questions should you proceed to appoint an expert, a company like Birmingham-based Security 3000 Ltd, which can supply a variety of highly reputable and reliable services. These include static security officers, retail security officers, mobile security patrols, a lock up/ unlock service, key-holding or keyholder escort services and alarm response.

Security 3000, a family business offering personal service from Lyn Hanna and her brother Steve Thornton and sister Joan Thornton, has received various testimonials from well-known clients, such as leading house builder Crest Nicholson, whose commercial manager Andy Luckett, said:

"We have used Security 3000 on our Park Central site in the Birmingham city centre for more than five years.

"During this period their services on this project have included security cover to the project office and marketing suite - out of hours and 24 hours at weekends.

"We have also used Security 3000 for daytime security guard provision to all control points on the project, with up to four guards in total, and for specific security provision to our showhomes and 24-hour cover to completed units awaiting phased handovers.

"Other services provided by the company have been any special cover associated with daytime and night time events held for marketing purposes, provision of static security controls around the site and night time and weekend patrols as necessary.

"Security 3000 guards are always well presented, punctual, responsive and courteous. The management team provides excellent support and responds well to any requests made by ourselves."

Kate Beattie of Arup Acoustics, Hampshire wrote to Security 3000 saying:

"I'm writing to say thank you for all your help over the past few years. Every time we needed your services you've always been very helpful and efficient, even when we've called with very last minute requests, as happens quite often! I wish Security 3000 all the very best for the future and look forward to many more years of excellent service that you provide."

Redditch-based Linread Northbridge, which supplies components for aerospace, said:

"We have used the services provided by Security 3000 continuously since 1996. During this time we have found the service provided to be extremely reliable and the company open to suggestions to improve the service, being beneficial to both companies. The very nature of a guarding service is based upon honesty, trust and respect, all of which have been very evident throughout all business transactions.

"We would not hesitate to recommend the services of Security 3000, based on their current performance."