How security providers can step H


ow can security providers support efforts to reduce violence and keep people safe? Here is a personal view and proposals for a multi-faceted, phased strategy.


Shocking statistics


At the recent Violence Against Women and Girls seminar held by the City of London Crime Prevention Association, these worrying statistics were shared:


• 60% of adults have been harassed on the street.


• One in six women have experienced unwanted sexual behaviour on public transport.


• One in four women experience domestic abuse.


• Two women a week are killed by a partner.


These incidents do not just happen in the night-time economy, which has been the main focus thus far, and they don’t occur just in cities and towns.


The recent news about the Metropolitan Police and other institutions sadly means that some members of the community have less trust in the police. These statistics and events show there is a real issue. How can the security providers assist?


Getting personal


I have been in the security industry for nearly 20 years – in industry I never thought I would go into. However, one of the huge benefits is that my teams and I can make a difference to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. We


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are not alone and I believe if all security providers worked together utilising some of the following strategies, then we can make a difference.


This has now become personal, as I am quite sure it will be to many of you reading this. I live in Wiltshire but my 21-year-old daughter has moved to London. She loves London, but she hates the number of incidents that happen to her almost on a monthly basis. She has been alone in a tube with a man who tried to assault her, she has been threatened with being killed and she has been followed – several times.


So, how do we as private security professionals make this better?


I truly believe that all security providers can play a significant role in reducing violence and keeping people safe with their own approach and bringing other organisations together. I propose a multi-faceted, phased strategy to developing and building the approach to keep people safe and prevent crime.


Step 1 – A diverse workforce in security


The private security industry provides representatives in many public places, normally in a uniform, who can provide help. From concierges to retail security staff to door supervisors and BID Wardens. However, in the main, they are predominately male and sometimes do not have the look or feel of being approachable.


As humans we like to seek out our own. It is a natural state. Therefore, we have launched Lodge CREATE – to make the security industry as diverse as possible. To raise the statistic of only 11% of women in the industry to a higher figure; to ensure the industry employs transgender and non-binary people; to ensure there is someone for everyone to be able to approach. When in trouble you want to go to someone who is approachable. We want our


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diverse workforce to be working in designated Safe Havens, we want them to be trained correctly to be able to assist. To make our security industry more diverse, the entire industry must do this. To make our imagery more diverse and appealing. To look at the way job adverts are written – to make them more inclusive. To talk to colleges and schools to show that security can be a multi-faceted career with different opportunities. On top of this, once new entrants start, to ensure they have mentors and a support network and that our company is totally inclusive, otherwise you will lose them.


Step 2 – A culture that understands training


We have to be brave and strong and stand up and report unacceptable behaviour. It is all about cause and effect. From a security delivery perspective, we must train our staff to be able to address this with those who demonstrate unacceptable behaviours, whilst remaining safe.


Are we ready as organisations, though, in ensuring our security teams are able to do this? Do we need to look at our internal policies and training? Have we adapted our training delivery to be able to deal with these issues? There are new-style trainers out there and we have to change the way we retrain, develop and grow. There are new innovative, accredited and specific training courses being delivered now that allow our staff to be able work effectively and handle difficult situations.


Step 3 – Report, Report, Report


Every security company has a reporting system. It is irrelevant which one, the important thing is how the information is used. There is a multitude of Business Crime Reduction Partnerships (BCRPs) working across the UK. They are there to create safe environments through effective information


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