Frequently Asked Questions
What areas of London do you cover?
A: BritShield Security operates across all 32 London boroughs and the City of London. We have strategically positioned teams throughout Greater London to ensure rapid response times. Our coverage includes Central, North, South, East, and West London, with particular expertise in Westminster, Camden, Islington, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Southwark, Wandsworth, and Kensington & Chelsea.
For emergency response and mobile patrols, our average response time in Central London is under 15 minutes. Outer London boroughs typically see response times of 20-30 minutes.
Are your security guards SIA licensed?
Yes, 100% of our security personnel are fully SIA (Security Industry Authority) licensed. SIA licensing is a legal requirement in the UK for anyone working in the private security industry. All our guards hold current, valid SIA licenses and undergo regular checks to ensure compliance.
In addition to basic SIA licensing, many of our officers hold specialist licenses including Door Supervision, Close Protection, and CCTV Operation. We also ensure all personnel undergo enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks.
How quickly can you deploy security guards?
For emergency situations, we can typically deploy temporary security officers within 2-4 hours across London. For planned security arrangements, we can usually have permanent guards in place within 24-48 hours of your initial contact.
Our process is streamlined: we conduct a brief telephone assessment, confirm your requirements, and deploy suitable officers. For long-term contracts, we prefer to conduct a site visit and security assessment first, but this doesn’t significantly delay deployment if you need urgent coverage.
What training do your security officers receive?
All BritShield security officers complete comprehensive training that exceeds industry standards:
– SIA-accredited security officer training (mandatory)
– First aid and emergency response certification
– Fire safety and evacuation procedures
– Conflict management and de-escalation techniques
– Report writing and incident documentation
– Customer service and communication skills
– Health and safety compliance
Officers also receive site-specific training for their assigned locations and participate in annual refresher courses and ongoing professional development.
What's included in your manned guarding service?
Our manned guarding service is comprehensive and includes:
– SIA licensed security officers (uniformed or plainclothes)
– Access control and visitor management
– Regular internal and external patrols
– Incident response and emergency procedures
– Detailed daily occurrence reports
– Real-time incident reporting via mobile app
– Lock-up and unlock services
– Reception and front-of-house duties (if required)
Services are fully customizable to match your specific requirements and can include additional duties as needed.
Do you provide CCTV monitoring services?
Yes, we offer comprehensive CCTV solutions including installation, monitoring, and maintenance. Our services include:
– HD and 4K camera system installation
– 24/7 remote monitoring from our control room
– Mobile app access for real-time viewing
– Motion detection with instant alerts
– Cloud and local storage options
– Regular system maintenance and upgrades
– Integration with existing security systems
Our NSI Gold certified monitoring station provides professional surveillance with immediate response capabilities.
How do mobile patrols work?
Our mobile patrol service provides flexible, cost-effective security coverage. GPS-tracked patrol vehicles visit your premises at scheduled or random intervals throughout the day and night.
Each visit includes: external perimeter checks, door and window security checks, internal patrols (if key holding arranged), alarm response if activated, and detailed reporting with timestamped evidence.
Patrol frequency is customizable – from multiple daily visits to weekly checks depending on your needs. We also offer key holding services, allowing our patrol officers to respond to alarm activations and secure your premises.
Can you provide security for one-off events?
Absolutely. Our event security division specializes in providing security for events of all sizes, from small private functions to large-scale public events and festivals. Services include:
– Pre-event security planning and risk assessment
– Door supervision and access control
– Crowd management and safety
– VIP and close protection services
– Bag searches and screening
– Emergency response coordination
We work closely with event organizers, venues, and local authorities to ensure comprehensive security coverage that meets all legal requirements and best practices.
What is SIA licensing and why is it important?
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is the organization responsible for regulating the private security industry in the UK. SIA licensing is a legal requirement – it’s illegal to work in certain security roles without the appropriate license.
An SIA license demonstrates that a security professional has:
– Completed approved training courses
– Passed criminal record checks
– Been verified as fit and proper to work in security
– Committed to upholding industry standards
Hiring unlicensed security personnel is illegal and can result in significant fines. All BritShield officers are fully SIA licensed and we maintain digital records of all licenses which are available for inspection.
What accreditations does BritShield Security hold?
BritShield Security holds all major industry accreditations:
– SIA Approved Contractor Scheme: Recognition of our compliance with industry standards
– ISO 9001: International quality management certification
– NSI Gold: The highest level of NSI certification for security systems
– BSIA Member: Full membership of the British Security Industry Association
We also maintain £10 million public liability insurance and full employers’ liability coverage for your complete protection.
How often do you conduct background checks on staff?
Security and vetting are ongoing processes at BritShield:
– All new recruits undergo enhanced DBS checks before employment
– SIA licenses are checked quarterly to ensure they remain current
– Annual reviews include reference checks and performance assessments
– Random spot checks of documentation throughout employment
– Immediate investigation of any reported concerns
We maintain a zero-tolerance policy on any compliance breaches and all personnel files are audit-ready at all times.
What should I do if I need emergency security right now?
Call our 24/7 emergency line immediately
Our emergency response team operates around the clock and can typically deploy temporary security officers within 2-4 hours across London. When you call, our team will:
– Assess your immediate security needs
– Dispatch available officers to your location
– Provide you with the officers’ details and ETA
– Follow up to arrange longer-term coverage if needed
For life-threatening emergencies, always call 999 first, then contact us for additional security support.
What is your average alarm response time?
Our average alarm response time is under 15 minutes for Central London locations, and 20-30 minutes for outer London boroughs. Response times vary based on:
– Location of the property
– Time of day and traffic conditions
– Availability of nearest patrol unit
All our mobile patrol vehicles are GPS tracked, and we maintain strategic positioning to ensure rapid response capability across London 24/7. Key holding clients receive priority response.
Do you offer key holding services?
Yes, we provide professional key holding services as part of our mobile patrol package. This means:
– We securely store keys to your premises in our NSI Gold certified key safe
– Our officers can respond to alarm activations and investigate
– We can secure your property after an incident
– Lock-up and unlock services for opening and closing
– No need for you to attend the premises during out-of-hours alarms
All key movements are logged and audited, and our key holding procedures comply with NSI Gold standards and insurance requirements.
