FMJ.CO.UK SECURITY FOCUS
NOVEMBER 2020 33
are separating access/egress points as
part of risk control measures. This requires
additional sta ing. “The main draw on
security resource at present is in NHS Testing
Centres, supporting local authorities and
retail sectors. The UK Government are giving
a further £30 million to local councils to
enforce restrictions some of which will be
spent on ‘COVID Marshalls’ and of course
the private security industry will be only too
willing to support this.”
At Amulet says Read there has been a
requirement to provide extra support to
customers in ensuring their premises are
operating in COVID-secure environments.
“This is particularly true where our
customers business involves direct
engagement with the general public. A great
example would be the work our teams are
carrying out across large parts of the rail
network. Working alongside our customers,
we are ensuring that passengers are not just
made aware of the rules but that that our
presence serves to reassure and advise all on
safe travel measures.”
Mike Bullock, CEO, Corps Security
contends that alongside NHS facilities and
supermarkets, where there is demand for
a higher volume of o icers, “there are also
sectors such as logistics, where, for example,
the core business activity hasn’t changed,
but the pandemic has presented o icers with
an increased remit of duties to carry out.
Distribution centres have a constant flow
of people coming and going and checking
these people in and out and ensuring they
adhere to COVID-safe measures takes a lot of
time to manage.”
KEEPING SECURITY STAFF SAFE
The numbers of security people working
alone has increased, especially in o ice
buildings which remain shut or severely
reduced, and responding to this at Salisbury
says Davies: “We have revised all core
security duties, assessments and Standard
Operating Procedures (SOP’s) to reflect
risks. Established lone working protocols
and procedures exist as part of risk control
measures for a number of situations as part
of the company safeguarding policy, such
as working during nights and weekends,
but are now expanded in buildings or areas
where people, property or assets have
become more vulnerable due to the absence
of workers.”
The measures include lone worker checks
via a control room set at varying intervals
or prior to or during patrols. All sites are
equipped with mobile phones and where
appropriate GPS based guard patrol systems
enabling active tracking of patrols. The
devices also have a panic button and ‘person
down’ facility which can be used to summon
assistance.
He adds: “Regular contact with line
management is particularly important in
conducting welfare checks and supporting
our o icers during this di icult period.
Security hours are lengthy, and an empty
workplace can be a lonely place for security
o icers used to being involved dynamically
with a client’s business in a once vibrant
building. The company also has a range
of sta assistance programmes such
as Healthy Living, Mental Health
Awareness, Positive Thinking,
and Wellbeing.”
The use of Bodycams
by Amulet, reports Read
can deter aggression
against lone workers
and can also provide
both audio and
video monitoring
from a remote
centre that provides
great reassurance for
individuals faced with
challenging situations.
At Atalian Servest they’ve
employed a ‘push-to-talk’
capability where the central control
system is notified and can use live GPS
tracking to contact the security o icer.
“In addition to this function,” says Moore,
“the application will also trigger an alarm if
the device has not moved for a set period,
and the geo-fencing ability will flag if an
o icer leaves a zone or, enters an area that
they are not permitted to enter.”
sensors are vital tools that help our
teams protect customers buildings
and the people within. The security
offi cer’s role here is to act on the
information received and take
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
A range of new technology has been
introduced over the past few months,
including thermal imaging, density control,
face mask detection and skin temperature
monitoring, many of which employ Artificial
Intelligence (AI) technology to help reduce
the human factor. However, Davies believes
that while, “smart technology has its
place, it can also frustrate and in certain
circumstances there is no better experience
than a security o icer being on hand to
assist.”
Read feels similarly that security
solutions are best-served
with a mix of o icers and
technology. He says:
“During the lockdown,
we were able to
protect a lot of vacant
buildings with
technology, meaning
that o icers could
be on-site where
they were needed
most. As employees
have returned to
work we have seen
how technology has
adapted to provide more
specific alerts related to new
situations.”
Information from CCTV,
analytic alerts and building
People counting technology helps
that agreed action.”
limit the number of people within a building,
from monitoring social distancing across
a large estate or by simply restricting the
number of people in a meeting room,
alerts can raise the alarm and immediate
remedial action can be taken. Says Davies:
“Information from CCTV, analytic alerts and
building sensors are vital tools that help our
teams protect customers buildings and the
people within. The security o icer’s role here
is to act on the information received and
take that agreed action.”