Security

Many people protect themselves, their families, their businesses and their property by employing security companies against criminal and terrorist threats, at an annual cost of more than £5 billion. They employ around 500,000 people and there are more than 4.25 million CCTV cameras in the UK.

The Private Security Industry Act 2001 has established a Security Industry Authority (SIA) to:

• license people operating in the area
• check on and enforce breaches of the rules
• maintain and improve standards
• establish industry inspectorates and maintain records.

The following sectors or activities must be covered by a licence (cost £245, valid for three years; preliminary training is required, and failure to comply with this renders the individual liable to a maximum of a £5,000 fine and/or six months in prison):

• manned guarding, which includes

– cash and valuables in transit

– close protection

– door supervision

– public space surveillance (CCTV)

– security guarding

• immobilisation, restriction and removal of vehicles
• keyholding.

Operating as a private investigator supplied under contract, as a security consultant or as a precognition agent, will be licensed but no date has yet been set for its implementation.

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) is the largest trade association for companies operating in this area. Its 570-plus members are responsible for more than 70% by turnover of all the security business conducted in the UK. Industry sectors are:

• access control
• cash and property marking
• cash and valuables in transit
• closed-circuit TV
• civil aviation security
• export council
• information destruction
• physical security equipment
• police and public services
• security consultancy
• security equipment distributors
• security equipment manufacturers
• security guarding
• security systems.

Working alongside the BSIA is Skills for Security, the newly designated Sector Skills Council for the security industry, which incorporates SITO, the former security national training organisation. It is the skills and standards-setting body for the sector, responsible for working with employers and other stakeholders to deliver a range of educational and related services to improve skills, raise professionalism and improve business performance.

Key attributes and skills for a security officer are:

• honesty
• communication skills
• ability to deal with people
• supervisory management skills
• reception duties
• looking after visitors
• driving
• first aid
• mail handling
• fire duties.

Most security is carried out by static guards who patrol premises using CCTV and surveillance equipment. They will probably have radios, and may combine security with gate control and reception duties. Some will use dogs. Mobile guards use vans to patrol a number of establishments, while cash-in-transit guards protect money and other valuables.

Store security officers usually work over 40 hours a week, Monday to Saturday, sometimes operating in plain clothes as store detectives. They check for shoplifting, that delivery contents are correct, and deal with general emergencies such as sick customers and lost children. They need good inter-personal skills and to be able to make written reports and give evidence in any case of theft where they have made a citizen’s arrest.

Security alarm fitters install and maintain systems that should have been planned by a trained surveyor. They have to make good any damage, and could be working anywhere from a small private house to a modern office block. They work normal weekday hours with some requirement for overtime and jobs at weekends and response to emergency call-outs. Much of their work involves cramped conditions and working at heights.

Locksmiths install and maintain security devices, including locks and safes, in commercial and private premises. They cut keys and can often work closely with security alarm specialists. They often provide a 24-hour call-out service.

Security in the Services

Service people spend a great deal of their lives thinking about, planning and implementing security. Part of basic and more advanced training in some parts of the Forces is the accumulation of units leading to Security National and Scottish Vocational Qualifications

The personal qualities for which people are selected and which are then developed during training are also highly relevant, and most Service people will possess many of the skills that security employers look for. They should be physically fit and able to patrol an area, taking note of what they see and writing a report. The ability to work as part of a team is critical, as are common sense, integrity and courage. They should be able to react to the unexpected, as well as being self-reliant and self-confident.

The Resettlement Training Centre at Aldershotruns a range of intruder alarms and security systems installation courses. The two-week modules take the novice from the most basic level, through intruder alarms, to access control and CCTV, gaining sufficient knowledge to be able to visit premises and quote for contracts. A three-week security management course is also available for those who wish to convert security and management expertise into a recognised qualification.

Qualifications and training

Skills for Security/SITO is developing standards and training. The following packages are currently available:

• CCTV operations
• community warden occupations
• keyholding and response occupations
• parking control occupations
• providing cash and valuables in transit services
• providing close protection
• security and loss prevention
• security consultancy
• security dog handling
• security risk advisers
• systems sector.

Skills for Security has also developed industry-led apprenticeship and advanced apprenticeship programmes with six regionally based UK cooperatives designed carry out this training. It also accredits and certifies courses, and has developed a CPD passport for the industry, as well as working on skills frameworks.

Graduate qualifications

Security managers need to have organisational and management skills, a knowledge of law and criminology, an acquaintance with risk theory and the ability to conduct a risk analysis. They should also know the principles of physical security and information security; they need to be familiar with computer security and contingency planning, and they must be able to communicate their ideas professionally.

Many employers now look for a postgraduate qualification. Security industry-specific qualifications, up to Master’s level, demonstrate knowledge of the relevant aspects of security and management, and give the individual personal and professional confidence.

Vocational qualifications

The minimum training recommended is ‘Basic Job Training’, which will probably cover static, patrol and retail guarding, door supervision and stewarding, and intruder alarms. An example is the Basic Job Training Foundation Course Static & Patrol Guarding, covering such areas as health and safety, fire awareness, social and customer care skills, and the general roles and responsibilities of a security officer. It leads to the next training modules, which are likely to cover retail, store detection, CCTV and intruder alarm engineering. Some of these lead to an award, and all can result in NVQs across the industry.

Assessor and verifier courses are suitable for people with an acceptable working knowledge of security practice, and are suitable for people in or from the Armed Forces. Other courses prepare people to train supervisors and team leaders to train and assess staff in the workplace. However, qualifications in such areas as first aid, internal quality audit, fire prevention, health and safety, and employment law are also valued.

A large security company might train its staff to British Standard 7499 or equivalent. This would involve an induction course for new employees and screening for ten years retrospectively. For some sensitive or high-risk contracts the screening will be longer and some extra courses may be required.

To gain an SIA licence, applicants must attend an approved training course, attain a nationally recognised qualification, and undergo identity and criminal records checks. Everyone working under contract in licensable sectors will need to be licensed. This includes employees, managers, supervisors and directors of security companies. Licensing does not extend to those who are employed in-house.

Rates of pay

Starting salaries are around £9,000 to £10,000, rising to between £12,000 and £16,000 when fully trained and experienced, although some may earn considerably more for operating advanced equipment and working in high-risk situations. Supervisors can expect to earn upwards of £18,000, while managers could be on £23,000 plus car and other benefits. Overtime is likely to increase the overall worth of any package.

Contact details

Security Industry Authority, PO Box 1293, Liverpool, L69 1AX Tel: 0844 892 1025 Website: www.the-sia.org.uk

British Security Industry Association, Kirkham House, John Comyn Drive, WorcesterWR3 7NS Tel: 0845 389 3889 Website: www.bsia.co.uk

Skills for Security, Security House, Barbourne Road, WorcesterWR1 1RS Tel: 08450 750111 Website: www.skillsforsecurity.org.uk

International Institute of Security, The Business Centre, 57 Torquay Road, Paignton, Devon TQ3 3DT Tel: 01803 663275 Website: www.iisec.co.uk

Master Locksmiths Association, 5d Great Central Way, Woodford Halse, Daventry, Northants NN11 3PZ Tel: 01327 262255 Website: www.locksmiths.co.uk