3 Occasions Where You Need to Be Safe During This Holiday Season

The festive season kicks off as soon as November arrives. The feelings of joy, giving and excitement take over everyone and it is the best time to explore the events around the city, go out shopping, meet family and friends at parties, and much more. However, with all the fun things happening around us its is pertinent to remember that crime does not stop for festivities, rather criminals tend to target people who are out enjoying the joyous times during the season. Considering the tough times spent by everyone during the festive period last year, there is a strong chance that more people would want to go out for events and meet family and friends, making them susceptible to crime and dangerous elements. We try to break down how you can stay safe during different occasions this holiday season while also enjoying the best part of the year. Holiday Shopping Shopping is probably the best part of the holiday season. With the sales and discounts around all the items, stores tend to be full, and people want to get their hands on the best deals. Around the excitement and commotion, one tends to forget to keep their valuables and themselves safe. Here are some steps you can take to stay safe: Always stay aware of your surroundings when in crowded places. Pickpockets and thieves target people by taking advantage of the crowds. Avoid taking large amounts of cash when going out as this would increase the chances of a greater loss, instead use a credit card for making payments as the transactions would be insured. If using private transport for traveling, do not keep shopping displayed in the vehicle as this would attract unwanted guests. Go shopping with another person rather than going alone so you always have one hand free while carrying your purchases. Make sure to keep checking your valuables and keep them separated rather than in one place. Event Venues From private bookings to public event activations, there is an event for everyone during the holiday season. But, making sure you are safe is as important as it is to have fun. These are some of the ways you can ensure your safety and that of others while being at events: If you are drinking, then please make sure that you do not leave your drinks unattended. Anyone can add things to your drink that can be harmful to you. It is important that you recognize the entry and exit points of the venue in case of an emergency. Try going to events that have security guards present and report any suspicious activity to them as they are trained to keep you safe. Avoid going to events alone as there is always safety in numbers, plus you have more fun! Keep minimal valuables on you such as a phone, wallet, and keys so it is easy to keep checking them in a crowded place. Transport Be it public, private, or on-foot, transport can get challenging during the festive season as the streets (and the underground) is crowded during peak and off-peak hours. Here are a few tips to manage the chaos of travel during the holidays: When using public transport, make sure to safeguard your valuables and double-check your space before exiting. Try to use a private taxi, Uber, or any such ride-sharing transport to avoid crowded spaces. If using private transport, make sure to lock your vehicle and park it in a well-lit space. When walking to and from one place to another, always take a well-lit route along with using routes with more traffic. One of the most important safety rules during the festive period is to never drink and drive. This ensures your safety and the safety of others. These are some of the ways one can stay safe from crime and other hazards that might affect you during the festive period. As a security company, it is in our DNA to help spread awareness and make sure everyone remains safe and sound. At G3 Security, our highly trained security guards, K9 response units, and mobile patrolling services provide a dynamic security cover to safeguard your event, retail, hospitality, construction, and corporate office locations. To learn more about our services please contact us via the information below T:  02032880000 / 02032880011 E: info@g3security.co.uk www.g3security.co.uk Committed . Responsible . Reliable

Protecting Retail Workers

The total overall cost of retail crime, which accounts for both crime prevention and losses incurred, stands at £2.5bn, rising from £2.2bn from last year. Even though retailers do not want to undermine the customer experience by over policing their premises, they cannot turn a blind eye towards retail theft. Retail crime has an expansive cost including retailers, consumers, and employees. According to the 2021 report by the British retail Consortium, employees are also affected through incidents of violence and abuse. These are up to 455 incidents a day; this includes 114 incidents of violence each day. If we were to take a 9-hour shopping day as typical that makes over 50 incidents an hour or almost one a minute. This includes 11 violent incidents every hour or roughly one every 5 minutes.  The retail industry, which represents 5.2% of the UK economy, is being overlooked in many respects when analysing the impact of crime in society. However, the conversation needs to be started regarding the plight of retail workers as incidents of violence continue to rise and systems to protect workers and enforce justice need to be put in place. A flexible way of providing retail security as well as protecting the employees is to hire professional security manned guards. The security guards are trained to perform risk assessments of the stores and the location around it, helping them identify potential threats before they arise. Furthermore, they can utilize soft skills such as conflict resolution and non-physical techniques to de-escalate aggressive or threatening customers. Moreover, a security guard is a physical deterrent to violent crime along with petty crime such as shoplifting. Another useful way, as recommended by experts within the industry and police, is to adopt technology such as body worn cameras. The biggest problem faced by law enforcement when investigating such crime is that of clarity in evidence. Therefore, this issue can be overcome if guards are wearing body cameras that record all interactions with hostile customers. Body worn cameras can become an integral part of the retail security apparatus since they would help law enforcement in their investigation and up to its conclusion. Additionally, body cameras can be used for the purpose of training security guards and the staff at retail stores regarding how to manage distasteful situations. Moreover, a very reliable method to keep the staff as well as the building secure would be to install CCTV cameras. These cameras can be operated by trained security guards who can identify security threats and take pre-emptive action to prevent any violence or even incidents of theft. Furthermore, cameras can also provide video evidence for prosecution purposes if such a need arises. At G3 Security, our highly trained security guards, K9 response units and mobile patrolling services provide a dynamic security cover to safeguard your retail, hospitality, construction, and corporate office locations. To learn more about our services please contact us via the information below T:  02032880000 / 02032880011E: info@g3security.co.ukwww.g3security.co.ukCommitted . Responsible . Reliable

Post-lockdown crime surge – how to protect your business

As the UK begins its recovery out of the lockdown, businesses in all segments of the economy have started to open and life has steadily begun to go back to normality. In such circumstances, crime too, has followed suit. A report by London School of Economics Centre of Economic Performance (CEP) stated that violent crime and drug offences were on the rise and that too higher than pre-pandemic levels. In these circumstances, law enforcement entities work off data and focus on areas which have higher crime statistics, leaving other areas vulnerable to the threat of future criminal activity.This would have various consequences for businesses in retail, hospitality, construction, and corporate sectors. Resultantly, businesses would need to hire private security guard services to mitigate the risk of being affected by theft and secure their premises on their own. Security guards act in the capacity of providing both, proactive and reactive measures. For this reason, it is important that businesses are aware of the importance of employing such a crucial tool for the safety of their business and customers.Today the threat faced by businesses varies from sector to sector and we can breakdown how various sectors are affected Retail Security Retail stores have been the target of shoplifting and theft since before the pandemic. Due to the vast scale of products and the constant footfall of customers, it is very difficult to gauge when a crime is being committed. As a result, retail stores have relied on many different methods of securing their space, from using extensive CCTV equipment, access control RFID scanners and security guards. However, since the lockdown restrictions have been lifted, people are still encouraged to practice social distancing and wearing masks indoors. This has led to the evolution in threats faced by a retail business where security measures transcend protecting against criminal activity and encompass safeguarding employees and customers from individuals who refuse to follow COVID protocols. In such situations electronic security is of little use and businesses require manned security guards to resolve any unorderly emergency as they are trained to approach the threat physically and diffuse the situation. Additionally, due to their versatility, the security guards can also take up added responsibility to instruct customers and assist the employees in basic tasks, adding to their usefulness to the business. Thus, manned guards form the crux of the overarching security apparatus used in the retail environment. Hospitality Security The hospitality industry was one of the worst hit by the COVID lockdown and consumer spending remained less than 70% of the pre-pandemic levels as revealed by the Office of National Statistics. However, with the lifting of restrictions and the returning of guests, an added concern is that of theft, unwanted visitors, and emergency situations. Although electronic measures are a good at keeping a lookout for threats, manned security guards are necessary to take action to counter them using their trained skillset and prevent criminals from operating on the premises. They can be deployed at entry pints to deter unwanted visitors from accessing the location. Furthermore, security guards are trained to act in emergency situations such as if a fire breaks out or if someone requires first-aid. They can mitigate the risk by taking responsibility of the safety of the staff and guests at the time of crisis. In some situations, hotel security could be required to deal with disorderly guests who vandalise the hotel property and could be a nuisance to other guests or potential customers. In these circumstances, security guards could be used to maintain order and resolve the situation. In addition to manned security guards, K9 security dogs could also be deployed at hospitality properties to act as a strong deterrent from potential threats. A combination of manned security guards and K9 security dogs adds value to not only the security environment but it also projects a positive image for the business as it is perceived to be a secure place for guests. Construction Security Even before the pandemic hit, theft and vandalism had been a serious issue for the construction industry, costing them millions of pounds in financial damages every year. Theft of building materials, vandalism of property and trespassing on construction sites are the biggest issues faced by the industry even today. According to the current circumstances, manned security guards can prove to be the solution needed when used at construction sites, especially as work picks up again after the ending of the lockdown. Along with being a visual deterrent to crime, they provide construction site security from vandalism and trespassers who may end up causing damage to the constructions site or hurting the workers. By applying their training, security guards can also protect key entry and exit points to prevent the theft of equipment from internal or external sources. Additionally, manned guards can be used along with K9 dog security and mobile patrols to secure the outer and internal perimeter round the clock. This is because K9 security is a useful deterrent for trespassers and mobile security patrols identify and prevent threats from outside the site. Corporate Security COVID lockdowns resulted in the closure of all office spaces and pushed workers to work from home. As workspaces fill up once again, the need to protect the office space and the workers within it has been paramount. Due to the nature of the corporate security, manned security guards are a crucial tool to be used and they provide a wide range of advantages to protect the workers and play a role in administrative duties as well. Security guards can be used to monitor the CCTV feed, allowing them to cover even remote parts of the building and they can use it to gather information to respond to a threat. Since many corporate office spaces are large, the security guards can be deployed at entry and exit points to monitor all activity and deterring any unwelcomed guests from entering the premises. An important role that manned security guards play, which is often overlooked, is

How To Protect Your Construction Site

The pandemic saw a sudden drop in crime rates as all commercial activities came to a halt and businesses were forced to shutter down. However, the construction industry was at the forefront of rising crime despite a decrease in the general crime rate. Theft and vandalism has been a serious issue for construction, costing the industry £400 million a year in financial damages along with being a reason for inefficiency and delays. Building materials and tools are the most susceptible to theft according to a report by Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), where 92% of the respondents had shared that they were aware of theft occurring at their sites and 91% of them had been affected by vandalism. Despite the precarious conditions there are many ways the construction industry can protect itself and stay out of harm’s way. Manned Security Guards Security guards provide a multitude of benefits when used at construction sites. Along with being a visual deterrent to crime, they offer protection from any unwanted visitors around the property as they are trained to make real-time threat assessments and act accordingly to protect against theft or vandalism. Due to their flexibility of use, security guards can easily be deployed at multiple locations at once, providing comprehensive coverage of the location unlike CCTV which is limited to a fixed location. Furthermore, their presence provides a sense of security to clients and staff working at the site, leading to higher productivity as they are reassured of their safety. K9 Security Dogs Security guard dogs have long been used as an additional layer of protection in the construction industry. The primary advantage of a K9 security unit is its ability to provide a complete perimeter search, without using expensive equipment. They can be leveraged to scan entry and exit points to deter potential security threats. Security dogs also assist in safeguarding the site location from common threats of vandalism as intruders are less likely to trespass into a location being protected by a professionally trained guard dog in addition to a security guard. Mobile Security Patrols Securing the outer perimeter of the construction site is equally as important as having security within the site. Mobile security patrolling offers a robust coverage of the surroundings of the site where threats may emerge from and acts as a proactive measure to counter any unlawful activity. As most acts of vandalism, such as graffiti, are perpetrated outside the premises where mobile security can respond to these unlawful activities in a timely manner and prevent damage from occurring. At G3 Security, our highly trained security guards, K9 response units and mobile patrolling services provide a dynamic security cover to secure your construction site from all arising threats. To learn more about our services please contact us via the information below T:  02032880000 / 02032880011E: info@g3security.co.ukwww.g3security.co.ukCommitted . Responsible . Reliable

Why dogs are great for security purpose?

If you are looking for home, office or general security, there are many options out there today. The huge amount of information that is available due to the development in technology within the security world can be quite overwhelming but what about the more traditional options? K9 security has been proved to be a failsafe option for security for a long time and will continue to be so. K9 can be a far more personal choice of security alarm or alert and provide a sense of security to the people around them as well as theirhandlers. Intelligence: As we all know, dogs are incredibly intelligent animals. They have an ability to pick up on our voices and body languages to translate a situation or emotion and are even more capable when they have been trained properly. They put this skill of theirs to good use and are able to sense when things are not quite right, whether with a person or with a situation. Dogs can detect danger, and the breeds that are chosen to be security dogs are not afraid to do something aboutit. Reaction There’s no denying a dog’s ability for an instant reaction which can prove particularly useful if they are working dogs in the security field. Whilst all dogs are known to have quick reactions of barking or snooping to see who is around. A dog’s natural curiosity means that any strangers, unusual noises or movements will be immediately sniffed out and barked at if necessary. The right breed can be incredibly reliable and intelligent enough to evaluate situations properly. Natural weapons Though most of the time, the dog having a bark worse than its bite, still, dogs provide a threat of physical harm with their intimidating blend of growls, strong jaws and sharp claws. Criminals won’t be able to differentiate between a guard dog that is just going to bark and a guard dog that will bite or attack, so will naturally assume the latter. There really is no doubt that dogs act as effective deterrents to criminals. Not only do these dogs look and sound quite intimidating, but trained security dogs are also fit enough to out-run most people. There’s very little point in attempting to run away from a security dog as this will only enhance their suspicions and perhaps their aggression, and they will run faster. Loyal Dogs are incredibly loyal creatures, which is why they are such popular house pets as well as guard animals. With this loyalty, comes a protective quality – a combination that is rarely matched in other animal species. Dogs are great for personal security and property security. There is no doubt that they make fantastic companions for pet owners and police guards alike. They are not called man’s best friend for nothing. If you’d like to find out more about our K9 security services, then please do not hesitate to get in touch.T: 02032880000 / 02032880011F: 02089119546

Risk Assessment

In simple terms Risk assessment = Likelihood x Severity Risk assessment is an integral part of any new thing before it’s commencement. It gives us a fair idea of any possible incidents and give us time to be prepared for it.When a professional team of security services is appointed to any of the sites, they make sure that a thorough assessment is done of each site and made a formal note of it. It is done taking into a consideration the safety of every personnel present at the site and related to it. What is Risk assessment?It is a systematic examination of a Task, Job, Process that you carry out at work for the purpose of Identifying the significant hazards The risk of someone being harmed and Deciding what further control measures you must take to reduce the risk to an acceptable level.  There are several factors involved in the risk assessment depending on various factors such as location, number of people involved, type of work at the location, etc. But still there are some basic things that need to be looked at- who might be harmed and how? what you are already doing to control the risks what further action you need to take to control the risks who needs to carry out the action? when the action is needed After the factors that needed to be taken into consideration are decided one needs to decide- Who should do it?Risk assessment should be done by a person who is Experienced Know the site/ area in question Authorized to do so When do we need to do it?Before starting the workPeriodically (Depending on the nature of the site)  How to do it?There are several methods with which Risk assessment can be done.But the important thing to be remembered is it should be thorough and well documented.In such situations a checklist can be helpful hence none of the factors are missed and it is well equipped to be documented.A checklist may include the following points: Identify the hazards Identify those at risk Identify existing control measures Evaluate the risk Decide/Implement control measures Record assessment Monitor and review Inform Non-ComplianceIf Risk Assessment is not done properly may result it Serious harm to the people’s lives Damage to the property and infrastructure Delay in taking the action required at the site Delay in reporting the appropriate authority Even after all the precautions and preparations accidents may occur. At such times one needs competent staff to deal with it. G3 Security Services provide all clients with exceptional services to protect premises and personnel. Hiring security officers puts companies and individuals at an advantage. As officers can provide a physical presence, surveillance, and on-going patrols on site. Overall, this aids to deter intruders or criminals from acting out of line. T:  02032880000 / 02032880011F: 02089119546E: info@g3security.co.ukW: www.g3security.co.ukLeave us a feedback: https://www.g3security.co.uk/security-companies/about-us-security-company-london/leave-us-feedback/  

Daily commute during a Pandemic

As we all are trying to get our life back to normal, daily commute has become a part of life, once again. But still, the threat of the pandemic is out there. Hence, we all need to be extra cautious during travelling. Being scared is not an option but being more cautious should be a way of life henceforth. 1. Travel only when it is essential Though the definition of essential may change from person to person, try to avoid travelling as much as possible.When it is necessary, check if you can travel during the non-peak hours to avoid the rush. 2. Cover your face with appropriate face cover Not just because it is compulsory but because it is the simplest and efficient way to protect yourself and others. 3. Sanitize as you go Do use sanitizers (wipes, spray, lotions) before and after the travel.Do not forget to sanitize your bags, shoes, mobile phones and oyster card once you reach home. 4. We all need some space Keep an appropriate amount of distance between the next person and yourself whether it is the seating during the commute, queues at the ticket counter or waiting at the station. 5. Be considerate Pandemic has been an unprecedented event and we all are struggling to cope up with it. Be considerate towards the person next to you. You never know what the other person is going through. Be kind and patient. 6. Commuting through privately hired cars If you are commuting through a rented car you will be in a close contact with the driver in an enclosed place. Please respect your health as well as the person driving.Do leave the car as clean and sanitized as possible. 7. Authorities at public places Police, guards and all types of staff present at the public places are working round the clock to make our life easier and safer. They are putting their lives at risk by being present at the most vulnerable places.Do listen to the instructions given by them and respect their space as well. We at G3 Security provide exceptional services to protect premises and personnel even during these difficult times.The security guards can be available to ensure people are following the rules while entering a particular premise such as hotels, restaurants, stores, malls, etc.They are well trained in letting people know that they need to obey the rules in a firm but respectable way. If you are looking to employ security for your site – do get in touch with G3 Security Services.T:  02032880000 / 02032880011F: 02089119546E: info@g3security.co.ukW: www.g3security.co.ukClick here to leave a feedback

How to become a Security Guard

Security officers are often hired to protect premises, personnel and deter criminal activity on a site. Their jobs can vary depending on the industry and site they are working in. Guards must also be physically fit and confident to face challenging situations. Security Guard Jobs: Patrolling, securing and monitoring premises. Door supervision – this can include checking in and greeting customers Deter intruders, vandalism, theft and crime How to become a Security Officer: You will need a Security Industry Authority (SIA) license. This license confirms you are ‘fit and proper’ to fulfil a security role You need to be 18 and over You need to pass identity and criminal record checks Complete relevant approved SIA training Skills Needed: Ability to communicate well, write short reports and follow any written instructions. For example, guards will be required to fill out log sheets and write incident reports. Security officers need to be confident to challenge people (i.e. face intruders on site and question them). Due to COVID some sites also require challenging people who are not wearing masks. This can sometimes be tricky and guards need to know how to manage people well. Ability to take initiative and make quick decisions Guards may be required to use specific devices. For example, G3 guard patrol monitoring system is utilised on many sites. The officer may be required to scan tags using this and show proof of attendance on site. G3 Security Ltd is a fast-growing company with sites based in London and surrounding areas. If you feel that you are suitable for a role as a security guard get in contact with us. Apply here today! Read more about what it take to be a security guard here.

How G3 Security Guards can help with Social Distancing

Social distancing refers to avoiding close contact with other individuals in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The government has advised that everyone should avoid close contact and remain socially distant from people who you do not live with or who are not in your support bubble. It is important that individuals wash hands regularly and wear a face covering (especially in indoor settings such as retail shops, public transport, restaurants etc.). Moreover, it is eminent to keep a 2-metre distance from people you do not live with. Many health officials have emphasised on the importance of social distancing. They have suggested that this may be the most effective tool in reducing and slowing the transmission of the disease. G3 Security Services can provide security guards to various sectors to help manage social distancing. Whether you are a retailer or a corporate office, ensuring social distancing measures are in place is extremely important. Why you should hire G3 Guards for social distancing: The guard can ask questions before granting access to an individual The guard can check the temperature before allowing anyone inside Security guards can ensure individuals are wearing masks, they sanitise before entering and if applicable they wear gloves. A lot of buildings have limited their capacity of people who can visit at one time. Therefore, crowd control & queue control should be managed well to ensure this. It is also important people provide their details for ‘Track and Trace’. Security officers can verify that this is done. If you are looking to employ security for your site – do not hesitate to get in touch with G3 Security Services. G3 provide clients with exceptional services to protect premises and personnel. Our officers not only provide a physical presence, surveillance and on-going patrols but they can also ensure correct COVID protocols are followed and social distancing is maintained at your site. T:  02032880000 / 02032880011 F: 02089119546 E: info@g3security.co.uk W: www.g3security.co.uk Leave us a feedback: https://www.g3security.co.uk/security-companies/about-us-security-company-london/leave-us-feedback/  

Student Accommodation Security Tips

2020 has definitely been an unpredictable year for everyone. With schools closed, exams cancelled and A-level results all over the place, many students have been worried about what their future holds.   Now with universities opening up, it is eminent that all students secure their accommodation and look after their own safety whilst living out. 1. Only let people you know into your flat/room Students often tend to leave their flat doors unlocked; however, this isn’t the best option. If intruders gain access to your flat or communal area – they can easily get their hands-on valuables. It is also best to get into the habit of locking windows and doors. 2. What to do in case of a break-in or burglary? Report this to the police immediately and site staff. Get a crime reference number from the police – this may be needed if you claim insurance. Try to make a list of everything that has been damaged or stolen If your bank card, laptop, or mobile device has been stolen be sure to block the items immediately. 3. Be careful on nights out Although Corona is limiting socialising and parties, there still may be some events occurring on campus. Its important to drink responsibly, stay in a group, don’t lose your personal belongings and plan your journey home beforehand. 4. Fire Safety It is important to consider fire safety, take precautions to prevent fires and be aware of what you need to do in case of fire. If a fire alarm goes off – be sure to immediately go to the allocated assembly point. G3 Security Services provide all clients with exceptional services to protect premises and personnel. Hiring security officers puts companies and individuals at an advantage. As officers can provide a physical presence, surveillance and on-going patrols on site. Overall this aids to deter intruders or criminals from acting out of line. G3 Security Services strongly stress the benefits of choosing any of our security measures for student accommodations. Our officers are exceptionally experienced and G3 provide our clients with outstanding customer service. To discuss your requirements further do not hesitate to get in contact with us and speak to a member of our operations team. T:  02032880000 / 02032880011 F: 02089119546 E: info@g3security.co.uk W: www.g3security.co.uk Leave us a feedback: https://www.g3security.co.uk/security-companies/about-us-security-company-london/leave-us-feedback/