Do Security Guards Reduce Crime?

Crime is a huge worry and threat for many businesses, and it often seems impossible to escape from. Crime rates in the UK seem to be on the rise. According to Statista, there were at least 93.6 crimes reported per 1,000 people. With these shocking figures, it’s no wonder that many businesses are looking for security protection such as guards to protect their sites or property. But do security guards reduce crime? We’ll be discussing this and more such as how guards reduce crime, and how security can stop shoplifters.

Do Security Guards Reduce Crime?

Yes, security guards have been known to be a huge advantage to reducing and stopping crime. One of the best ways that guards are able to prevent criminal activity is by acting as a visual deterrent.

Is A Security Guard A Deterrent?

As we mentioned above, security guards reduce crime through acting as a visual deterrent. Guards are considered to be a visual deterrent because their presence alone instantly suggests that a business has a strong visible security in place, and this presence often scares criminals away.

How Can Security Guards Prevent Crime?

The main duty of a security guard is to protect both the valuables and people working at a business. And security guards can prevent crimes through their own skills and knowledge and by completing their daily tasks.

One way that security guards are able to stop crimes from happening is by detaining any potential criminals. If someone is suspected of committing a crime, security guards are allowed to physically restrain them. By guards quickly detaining any possible criminals this can instantly prevent a crime from happening.

A guard’s communication skills can be another keyway that deters any worries about criminal activity. Security guards are known to have good communication skills, which they can use to help reduce people’s worries about crime. In hospitals or at events, security guards will often talk to the public to either help with queries or to put them at ease. Although this doesn’t exactly reduce crime, it is helpful as it allows people to feel protected and safe.

Another way that security guards are able to prevent crime is through their strong security presence. The simple presence of a security guard broadcasts a strong visible presence to the business that they are protecting. And this presence can instantly deter criminals away, as it is a known fact that people are less likely to attack a site that has obvious security protection.

How Can A Security Guard’s Duties Help To Stop Crime?

The best way that security guards are able to stop crime is through their daily tasks. We have listed some of the best ways that a guard’s duties will prevent crime.

• Guards will monitor CCTV for suspicious activity and then report back to higher authorities. This allows security guards to stay aware of any potential threats.
• Security guards who work in retail security will often stand at the front of a building or store. This allows security guards to act as a visual deterrent for crime.
• Security guards do regular patrols throughout different areas of a business. This allows security guards to be aware of their surroundings and be on the lookout for potential threats. Routine patrols also allow security guards to catch criminals in action.

Can The Presence Of A Security Guard Prevent Crime?

Simply the presence of a security guard can help them to reduce crime. This is because they are known to be a very successful visual deterrent. Seeing a security guard at the front of a store or building tells thieves and criminals that the place is protected. Furthermore, if people know that they are being watched they are more likely to behave better.

Can Security Stop Shoplifters?

A big worry for many retail stores is shoplifters, and security guards are an excellent way to deter them. Security guards will stop thieves from stealing from a shop by being placed at the front of the store as this deters them away. When a potential criminal sees a security officer stand at the front of the store, it makes them think twice as people are less likely to steal when they believe are being watched. Security officers will also stop shoplifters by doing regular patrols around different areas of a shop.

The Different Types Of Crimes Security Guards Help To Reduce

As well as shoplifters there are many other types of crimes that security guards can help to reduce. We’ve listed some of the top crimes that guards can stop.

• Security guards who work in office or retail security will use CCTV monitoring equipment to review different areas of a shop to ensure that no criminal activity is taking place.
• Security guards who work in building or construction security help reduce crime by doing routine patrols around the building, and through dealing with break-ins.
• Security guards who work at events, help to reduce crime by being constantly aware of their surroundings, and by protecting everyone there. Security guards who work at events will also be in charge of controlling the crowd, guards will make regular checks on the crowd to make sure that no fights or threats of violence are happening.
• Security guards have been known to reduce smaller crimes like graffiti and vandalism by staying alert and doing routine patrols around different areas of a property or site.
• If a fight happens during an event or a premise where a security guard is working, guards will be able to detain anyone until the police come.

So, Do Security Guards Reduce Crime?

Sadly, crime is something that isn’t going away anytime soon. Security guards, like other law enforcers such as the police, do help to reduce crime.

Security guards are highly recommended as a good way to secure a business, as security personnel can use their strong security presence to scare away criminals. When you have a highly trained security officer in place at your site, and instantly suggest how a business has good security in place. This scares away criminals, as thieves are less likely to attack a site that has security in place compared to one without any security.

If you can think of any more ways that security guards can help to reduce crime. Let us know in the comments below. To stay up to date with the latest crime and security guard news, why not head over to our blog? Where you can find articles about how to become a security guard and what gun crime is really like in the UK.

Or if you’re interested in seeing more content that we have produced, why not take a look at our YouTube channel – and browse through our security guard videos?

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