When Security Patrol Companies are the Right Solution

Key Factors to Consider When Researching Security Patrol Companies

There are a number of factors to consider when researching whether mobile security is the best option for your organisation. The balance between cost and value shouldn’t be underestimated and finding a security patrol company who not only understands your organisation but can tailor their service to your exact requirements should be a large part of the decision making process.

How mobile security is the most cost effective solution

A mobile security patrol is ideal for businesses where a full-time security presence isn’t necessary or practical. Whether this is because of cost concerns, multiple sites to consider or operational issues a mobile security provision is a flexible service tailored to your organisations requirements. Typically, mobile security patrols will visit premises at selected times during the day and night, this is either random or pre-scheduled times.

Security patrol companies will provide mobile security guards who travel between several locations making them a cost-effective solution when a full time permanent security presence isn’t required. They will usually patrol each premises at random intervals to promote unpredictability and make it harder for would be intruders to plan an attack.

What should be included in your mobile security provision?

Mobile security guards will patrol the inside and/or outside of the premises essentially protecting people, equipment and assets of the organisation. When choosing between security patrol companies there are various assumptions made as to what is included, as a minimum they should provide the following:

• SIA licensed security guards
• Fully trained security guards who are up to date on the latest security risks to businesses
• Fully insured security guards (if the business you are working with is not able to provide evidence of this you shouldn’t begin working with them)
• Security guards that are fully briefed on the assignment and are ‘present’ for all pre contract talks
• Security guards that are fully supported by a 24/7 control room
• Security patrol companies should participate in the ACS (Accredited Company Scheme) run by the SIA
• Experienced full time staff who are matched to the customers’ requirements based on specific profiling to ensure the best fit
• GPS traceability – Your security provider should be fully transparent when it comes to security guards time spent on sight and traceability of the ‘rounds’. GPS also aids lone worker concerns
• Visual deterrents (branded vehicles, uniformed officers etc) as well as visible security equipment
• Provide comprehensive reporting – including downloadable reports to assess what tasks have been completed
• Body camera footage to provide evidence of activities / disturbances if required

When it comes to the services that security patrol companies can provide you should select a provider that can not only provide the core mobile security patrol as detailed below but a supplier that can adapt to a wider range of tasks:

• Lock up and unlock services
• Internal and external perimeter patrols
• Health and safety risks
• Assessment of additional risks on site (including, fire, flood, emergency response etc)
• Live reporting

Your security patrol company should be used in coordination with other security services such as CCTV security, keyholding and alarm response. Ensuring your security provider is able to tailor the service package based on the clients specific requirements is an important factor in the decision making process.

First to respond and trained in first aid

As well as being proven to be an effective deterrent to prevent vandalism, theft and criminal damage to an organisation, security guards are usually the first to respond to security threats and raise the necessary response should an emergency occur.

Having a mobile security patrol on the premises at regular intervals not only acts as an effective deterrent to any would-be criminals but they will also spot any potential breaches quickly, enabling them to raise the alarm immediately and delay any criminals who may have breached the building.
As well as checking for signs of a disturbance, they can look out for potential fire risks and ensure every floor is fully secured.

Things that can affect the cost of your mobile security

When selecting a security patrol company for your mobile security provision ensuring they have conducted a thorough site visit is important to make sure there are no nasty surprises when it comes to the pricing of your security provision. The things that will affect the overall costs include:

• The size of the premises – by conducting a comprehensive site survey security patrol companies will be able to assess the scale of the operation. Generally speaking smaller premises take less time to patrol, meaning less hours needed to patrol thus lowering the overall cost of the security provision
• The number of properties on site – whether this are a number of smaller premises on one site or one large building on site, the make up of the site is just as important to assess the overall costs as the size of the premises
• The physical distance between premises – whether it’s a 1 acre site or a 10 acre site, the time it takes for the mobile security patrol to get around the site is a key factor to overall costs
• Contract duration – signing up for a long term contract is sometimes more cost effective than short term (ad hoc) provisions. Longer term contract can also be beneficial as the security guard is able to build up relationships with the onsite team. The more the security guard knows the site, the team and surroundings the better equipped they are to foresee potential issues

Security services working to deliver a return on investment

Whatever security provision your organisation is looking to implement you should select a security patrol company that is able to adapt to your organisation’s requirements. Not all businesses need 24/7 protection but working with a company that is able to scale up or scale down quickly and efficiently is important for seamless security provision. Security should be seen as an asset and an investment. When choosing between security patrol companies, look for similarity in values and evidence of a clear understanding of your business or organisation and culture.

The team at Magenta Security are able to draw on their extensive experience to focus on identifying what security success looks like for each situation and define a security plan that responds perfectly to those requirements. We are a member of the ACS scheme, which we joined at inception in 2006, over the years we have constantly achieved a rating that put us in the top 5% of members. To find out more about a security service that provides true added value, get in touch today and see how we can help your business achieve its security objectives. Our team of experts will discuss your specific requirements and provide a tailored quote to meet your needs.

Magenta Security provide award winning security services throughout the UK. We are in the top 5% of ACS approved contractors and were the first security company in Europe to be awarded ISO 14001 for our environmental management systems.