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Divorce is a difficult and emotionally demanding process which for many people proves incredibly hard to navigate. Some hope to resolve things quickly and not involve a lawyer – but is this a viable approach? In this article we’ll discuss why you always should enlist the services of a lawyer to help with a divorce.

The Problems of a Divorce with No Lawyer

There are serious issues which could emerge if you don’t secure yourself a divorce lawyer.

General Problems

There are some important things to remember when it comes to divorce. Firstly, divorce is a complex legal matter and involves many different laws, paperwork, forms, and rules which require key attention to detail and experience to navigate. It can be a very demanding process to try and navigate and often confusing and stressful. It is possible to make serious errors during the process, and these can cost you seriously as a result.

Amicable?

Many people approach divorces believing they are going to be easy because they will be amicable and as a result, they won’t require a lawyer. This is not as easy as it seems, and it can result in serious problems. A divorce involves,

• Drawing up an agreement – and drawing it up in a form a court will accept
• Going through the court process – presenting documents
• Getting the judge to accept and approve the documents
• Finalising the divorce

Each step of the divorce process takes a lot of time and effort – not to mention a great deal of mental energy. There are also unforeseen problems which can crop up – i.e., errors with agreements – or you may be granted your divorce but have drafted a poor deal for yourself – something you’ll be unable to fix.

Having a divorce lawyer will allow you to draft agreements that will flow through the court process smoothly while also ensuring you avoid making mistakes which could cost you in the future.

Knowing the Law

The biggest thing to remember is that Divorce Lawyers and Solicitors know the law – and in most cases you will not. The law is a complex matter and unfortunately you need someone who knows it clearly when it comes to divorce. If you don’t, you will need an expert.

Divorce Lawyers also know the judge – which is important too. They also have extensive knowledge of how the divorce system works, and what is necessary to get your case organised and done properly.  Most non-lawyers will not even know where to begin.

The best way to ensure a simple and clean divorce is by having an experienced divorce lawyer.

Do I need a Lawyer?

Legally speaking you do not require a lawyer – but there are some very good reasons to enlist the help of one. These include,

1. Avoiding Court

Lawyers at Oracle Law Clarkston offer one huge benefit: they offer you a way to avoid a difficult court process.

Going to court is always the final approach of any good lawyer. An experienced solicitor will aim to reach an agreement out of court. This can save you an incredible amount of stress and worry, and ensures you don’t have to engage in a long court case.

2. Finances

This is one of the most important areas to navigate when dealing with a divorce and making mistakes here can have long term implications. If you do not have the proper legal advice, you’re unlikely to know exactly what you are entitled to when it comes to divorce. What should happen to your matrimonial home? Do you have a claim on your former spouses’ pension?

The complexities of these issues means they should only be organised and considered with expert legal advice and the assistance of a solicitor.

Even in situations where finances appear to be relatively simple (i.e., there are no children and neither partner wishes to make a claim against the other), it remains possible for there to be issues – a lawyer can ensure this doesn’t matter.

3. Children?

If you have children, it’s necessary to form a parenting plan and schedule. You will need to determine child custody. In the UK in most cases women maintain a joint custody of children. However, organising this is not always easy – and if you disagree it’ll be necessary to look for mediation. Custody disputes can also involve third parties as well – such as grandparents. These are complex and emotionally demanding

If you cannot agree and if you believe that contact with the other parent will be acceptable for the child (in the case your ex-partner Is abusive or there is a history of violence) it’ll be likely that you will need to engage with a court to secure full custody. This is not an easy or simple process, and it will require the assistance of a lawyer.

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Criminal solicitors are a vital and important part of the justice system. They offer support to defendants and victims.

Becoming a criminal solicitor requires a strong sense of justice alongside expert analytical skills, a willingness to listen, excellent reading and writing abilities, and strong commitment to principles. However, it can be difficult to know how to get into the field.

In this article we’ll outline how you become a criminal solicitor – as well as the duties expected of one and how you can begin a career as a criminal solicitor.

What is Criminal Law?

Criminal law is the trial and punishment – as well as rehabilitation – of criminals which pose a threat to the safety of the public. A criminal solicitor will handle a variety of cases – including theft, murder, assault, and drugs charged.

Criminal solicitors Glasgow tend to work in regional Magistrates Courts – but more serious cases (lke murder) will end up in the Crown Court.

The Duties of a Criminal Lawyer

The terms ‘criminal solicitor’ and ‘criminal lawyer’ cover a category including a wide variety of different jobs.

A criminal defence solicitor provides legal advice to someone who has been accused of a crime. They provide this advice from police interviews to the actual court proceedings.

A criminal prosecution solicitor on the other hand provides legal advice to help prosecute an accused in the court. They will also provide representation to the victim of a crime.

Common duties for criminal solicitors include the gathering and interviewing of witnesses, the examination of crime scene evidence, the creation of strategies for cases, and handling paperwork.

Barristers’ role in criminal law is to present evidence to a court. They will persuade a jury based on any evidence which is provided during the case.

Solicitors tend to work in an office – barristers tend to represent their clients in a court. There are exceptions, however.

How do I become a criminal lawyer?

If you are interested in becoming a criminal solicitor there are several important steps to take. The road to criminal law involves education and accreditation as well as extensive work experience.

Bachelor’s Degree

It is necessary to complete a bachelor’s degree – either a law degree or another degree with relevant skills (such as business or economics). The standard required for these will be a first or second. Most undergraduate students take a law degree, but others will take on other relevant degrees and then undergo a law conversion course or aim for a Graduate Diploma in Law.

In recent years several institutions have begun to provide a different route. This involves six years of study and work experience in an apprenticeship style course – alongside work experience for those without degrees.

Job Specific training

To become a fully qualified criminal solicitor you’ll need to complete a Legal Practice Course (LPC) for one year – alongside two years of training in the workplace as well as a Professional Skills Course at the end.

Criminal barristers on the other hand undergo a year-long Bar professional Training Course. They also undertake a pupillage (two six-month periods of training). The first six months of training involves advocacy training and a shadowing scheme – as well as a period of research for legal paperwork and drafting.

The second period involves a practice management course and the conclusion of training via supervised barrister practice.

Work experience

It is difficult for a student to get proper experience before they’ve completed their degree or GDL – which means gaining experience after graduating is vital. While if you are interested in criminal law getting experience in this area is fantastic, any employer offering experience is important – as is any employer providing courtroom work and experience.

Legal Internships

Getting an internship with an established firm or professional is the traditional way of acquiring experience. By working in close tandem with experienced professionals both in offices and courtrooms, you will be able to acquire excellent high-quality experience. Internships however tend to be very competitive and have a rigorous interview process.

Research Employers and begin applying for jobs

It is vital that you have a comprehensive knowledge of a firm’s history and its clients before you apply for any positions – and decide well in advance if you’re looking for prosecution or defence positions. It is important you apply for firms which will support any professional development.

Once you have your qualifications and your research is complete, you can begin applying for jobs. Law firms tend to advertise online but it’s good to consult traditional newspaper ads and enquire at local firms and company websites. Established firms often advertise internships on their websites as well – so it is important to search for those as well.

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Replacing a carpet is a big financial commitment and not something to be entered into lightly.

If you have reached the point where your carpets look tired and worn and are considering investing in new ones, first consider if a professional deep clean could be the answer instead.

Deciding between cleaning and new carpets is not an easy decision but there are a few key determining factors that you should consider when making the choice.

Here are some of the most important questions to ask when deciding between replacing and cleaning your carpets:

How old is the carpet?

Another major factor that will indicate if it is likely that you need to replace your carpet is its age.

With the proper maintenance and professional cleaning on an annual basis, a carpet can last for as long as 15 years.

If your carpet is less than 10 years old and there has been no significant damage done, just general wear and tear, scheduling a professional carpet cleaning service is the best way forward.

On the other hand, if you have lived in your home since the 90s and have never changed your carpets, there is only so much good a clean will do, and it’s more than time to invest in a replacement.

If you have recently moved into a new home and are unsure about the age of the carpets in place, do not assume that it definitely needs to be replaced straight away. Even if it appears quite dull and discoloured at first glance, a professional carpet clean could revitalise it, saving you significant money in an already financially pressured time.

What is your carpet made of?

Although carpets can last well upwards of 15 years, this is not a universal rule, and the lifespan of your carpet will depend largely on the quality of the product and the materials used.

As a professional carpet cleaning firm, we have successfully cleaned wool carpets that are well into their 3^rd decade of use and look remarkably good for their age.

On the other hand, a cheaper alternative such as polyester will deteriorate at a much faster rate, and you should expect less than 10 years use from a carpet made from such.

This is something to bear in mind when choosing a new carpet and if you are unsure what your carpet is made of and the expected lifespan, ask the professionals next time you are having your carpet deep cleaned.

This will help you avoid any nasty surprises later down the line and give you a good idea about when it is time to think about buying new carpets.

What is the carpet used for?

If you have pets and kids tearing about your home 24/7 your carpet will undoubtedly experience accelerated deterioration.

Luckily, however, a professional carpet clean can breathe new life into even the most down-trodden of carpets and can usually help you put off having to splash out on new carpets to a later date.

Here at Acorn, we also offer a range of cleaning options specific to pets, including pet stain removal and carpet cleaning for pet odour that can save your carpet from all sorts of accidents that would otherwise signal that a replacement is needed.

Is the carpet worn out or just dirty?

One of the most common mistakes we see as a professional carpet cleaning firm is people mistaking a dirty carpet for one which has deteriorated beyond repair.

Unfortunately, however, what first appears to be a dirty spot, may actually be burst carpet fibres that are reflecting the light differently to the rest of the carpet.

If carpet fibres have been damaged to the extent that there are bare patches showing, commonly seen in high traffic areas after many years of use, restoration will likely be impossible, and replacement is your best option.

If your carpet has started to wear away, with bare spots or major tears, there is little that can be done but if there is simply a build up of dirt in heavy traffic areas, a professional carpet clean will resolve this in no time.

A professional carpet clean is a fantastic way to rejuvenate your home, restoring vibrancy, eliminating allergens, and giving your living space a fresh and clean appearance.

It is not enough alone, however, to maximise the life and looks of your carpet, and frequent home maintenance using a vacuum should still be conducted, even though this will only target the upper layers of carpet fibres.

If you are unsure if your carpet is just dirty or actually nearing the end of its lifespan, contact Acorn Carpet Cleaning today at https:/acorncarpetcleaning.co.uk and our expert team will help you set realistic expectations on what carpet cleaning can and can’t do for you.

For more information, or to arrange a professional carpet cleaning service today call us now on 0141 212 0212.

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At oracle law, we deal with a huge number of debt recovery enquires.

No matter if it is £100 or £100,000, recovering what you are owed from customers who are failing to pay or meet their payment schedule obligations can be a complete nightmare.

What is debt recovery?

There are a number of different reasons why debt recovery service may be required.

The main ones include:

• The debtor cannot afford to pay their debt, whether for services performed or a product bought.

• The debtor owes money to friends or family

• Since agreeing to a payment schedule, the debtors circumstances have changed, they are now unable to meet payments, and renegotiation is impossible.

• The customer is refusing to pay as they are unhappy with the quality of the services or products provided

The vast majority of debt recovery cases occur as a result of the debtor being unable to meet payments due to their financial situation.

However, there are still a surprising number of cases where a customer simply refuses to pay for products and services, and this is a serious problem for small businesses who will often budget and make investments based on projected future income.

If you have customers paying monthly for a service and suddenly refuse to pay that is a major blow to your plans and a failure to recoup debts is the final nail in the coffin for many companies.

Is it worth using a solicitor?

Whether or not it is worth using a solicitor when looking to recover a debt varies from case to case.

The one thing that remains constant, however, is that you should always get some form of legal advice when pursuing a debt recovery claim.

If you are only claiming for £10,000 or less, the chances are that you can probably process this yourself, as the claim can easily be made online through the Small Claims Court.

There will be a relatively small fee to pay for this application process and cases are normally resolved within 6 weeks to 6 months.

The fee for a small claims application varies depending on the claim you are making but, in general, successful Small Claims Court cases pursued without a solicitor will see you recoup around 90% of the money you are owed once the judgement is enforced.

On the other hand, a solicitor can often charge as much as £1000 to run the claim on your behalf meaning that the amount you will end up making back will be far lower, unless the claim is for the maximum amount.

The general rule is that it is most cost-effective to pursue small claims without the services of a solicitor, but once the claim exceeds £10,000 more formal legal representation should be sought, due to the more formal nature of the procedure.

What can a debt recovery lawyer do?

Debt recovery claims exceeding £10,000 become increasingly complex and having legal representation can be vital to a successful outcome.

It can often take as long as 2 years for a Crown Court hearing date to be set and often, debt recovery cases are resolved out of court so having a skilled negotiator on your team is a huge asset.

Furthermore, if you are claiming for a very large debt, a solicitor will be able to help you calculate the interest owed, which can then be included in the claim and you could end up receiving an even larger settlement if the debt has been outstanding for a prolonged period.

What are the risks?

No legal claim is free from risk, no matter how clear cut you think the case may be.

The biggest risk associated with debt recovery, by far, is the threat of a counter claim.

If your case is built on insubstantial evidence, the chances of a counter claim being filled by the other side is high, and if their legal representation is strong, you could easily end up being the one who owes money.

Using a solicitor with an in-depth knowledge of debt recovery will give you the best chance of success as they will advise you as to whether there is a genuine risk of a counter claim or that your evidence is strong enough to pursue the case with confidence.

Counter claims do not always result in the original claimant owing money, and could instead simply mean that the debt owed is wiped out.

If you have any questions about debt recovery and would like to speak to one of our expert solicitors regarding any of the issues that have been discussed above, get in touch with Oracle Law Clarkston today on 0141 404 1091.

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Burglar alarms are a vital part of any home security system, proving early warning that an intruder is attempting to enter your home, deterring potential criminals, and giving you and your family peace of mind.

When considering installing a burglar alarm you will face the question of whether to hire a professional security firm or to attempt to install the system yourself to save a bit of cash.

If you are thinking about installing your own burglar alarm read on to find out all you need to know about the pros and cons of self-installation.

Is it possible to install a burglar alarm on your own?

The easy answer is yes. It is perfectly possible, and pretty simple, to purchase your own burglar alarm and set it up in your home.

If you have done any sort of research into installing a burglar alarm on your property, you will be aware that DIY burglar alarm kits are available online for as little as £100.

Once you have said alarm in your possession, installation is as simple as placing the sensors near potential entry points, which will then activate if someone breaks through your doors or windows.

However, just because you CAN install your own burglar alarm doesn’t mean that you SHOULD.

What are the negatives of installing your own burglar alarm?

There are many reasons that having a professional security company install your alarm is a much better option than attempting DIY alarm installation.

Home security is not something to mess around with, as a failure to detect an intruder can have devastating consequences including the loss of valuable electronics, cash, documents, and jewellery.

Some of the reasons that professional alarm installation is more effective than DIY are:

Installation Expertise

Whilst it is easy to set up sensors in your home to do so effectively takes skill that only trained individuals can provide.

At Central FS, for example, all our officers have many years experience in alarm installation so will know exactly where to install sensors so that they will be most likely to detect activity in pertinent areas.

They will also be able to tweak and test the alarm whilst on site to ensure the optimal set-up is in place before leaving the site.

Alarm Response

Shop-bought alarm systems do what they say on the tin in that when activated they will alert you to the fact that there may be an intruder in your home.

However, just because you know that an incident is ongoing doesn’t mean that an effective response will be possible.

If you are on holiday, at work, or have simply popped 15 minutes down the road to the shop, even a mobile notification to tell you that your alarm has been triggered will be of no use.

With a professional security company monitoring your alarm from an Alarm Response centre, should your alarm be triggered, and you are not at home, a professional team of highly trained SIA licensed security officers will attend your site to deal with the ongoing situation.

As an SSAIB accredited security company, we also offer Level 1 police response so if we identify that a threat exists, we will alert the police control centre directly, guaranteeing that police officers will attend your site immediately.

This means that when you use a professional security company to install your security alarm you will have a much better chance of preventing burglars from successfully getting away with your possessions, leaving potentially dangerous confrontations to fully trained security staff, and giving your family peace of mind that help is on its way if a crime does occur.

Visual Deterrent

DIY alarm systems tend to be smaller and more compact than professional systems and will not have the same deterrent effect.

Having an alarm box on the front of your property in clear view of the street will deter many intruders from attempting to target your home.

The last thing that burglars want is to risk being interrupted or identified in the act and will usually select their target properties based on a lack of obvious security measures.

Having a professionally installed alarm box, that has the name of a respected security company such as Central FS will let potential criminals know that a team of security officers will be on the scene in no time if they are detected when attempting to break in.

This means that most will simply move on to another property the instant they see a professionally installed burglar alarm.

Insurance Premiums

Having a burglar alarm Glasgow in place can help to reduce your insurance premiums as the insurance company will be reassured that there is less chance of property damage or theft that they will have to pay out for.

Only a professionally installed system with an effective alarm response in place is likely to have an effect though so this is another reason to avoid DIY systems.

Get In Touch

To talk to a security expert about alarm installation or any of our other security services call us today on 0141 530 1244, or by email at info@centralfs.co.uk.

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Choosing a central heating system for your home is a big decision to make. Gas and electric heating systems both have their benefits and limitations that you need to be aware of before taking the plunge either way.

This simple guide will tell you all you need to know about both gas and electric heating and hopefully make your decision that bit easier.

Electric Heating

Benefits of Electric Heating

Easy to Install

Installing an electric heating system is extremely simple. There is no water involved so no need to extend or replace existing pipework or to purchase an entire boiler.

If you have plug sockets and wall space readily available, electric heating is almost as simple as plug in and go and if you have a decent tool kit and a bit of DIY experience you will even be able to complete the installation yourself.

Low Upkeep Costs

Boiler repairs and services are a costly expense that can be completely avoided by choosing electric radiators to heat your home.

Electric heating has also been proven to last up to 50% longer than traditional gas systems meaning that you will save money in the long term by not having to replace broken parts or changing the system again.

Future Proofing

Electric heating systems can very easily be combined with renewable energy sources such as solar panels, wind turbines, and air source heat pumps.

Whether you already have one of these in place, or are considering doing so in the future, and an electric heating system makes your home primed to adapt to whatever renewable energy sources become available.

Limitations of Electric Heating

Warm-up time

Electric heating takes slightly longer to warm up your home than gas heating, so if you are looking for instant heat then gas may be a better alternative for you.

Electric heating is extremely flexible however, and you can programme the exact time you want your electric radiators to come on at and the precise temperate you want each room to be heated to. You can also use a smart app to adjust and set your radiators so with a little bit of planning slower heating times should not be a problem.

Higher Costs

The cost of electric heating Glasgow is reliant on the ever-rising prices of electricity meaning that if you are on a variable tariff, you may find yourself paying more than if you had a different heating system. However, given recent climate change regulations and more and more restrictions being placed on fossil fuel usage the price of oil and gas heating may soon overtake electric anyway.

If you choose to install a renewable source such as solar panels to power your electric heating however, these variable prices will not apply anyway, and you can even take advantage of the rising electric cost by selling your excess energy back to the national grid.

Gas Heating

Benefits of Gas Heating

Easy Switch

Installing a brand new electric heating system is easier than putting in a new gas system from scratch. However, if you already have gas heating in place it is much simpler to switch out your existing boiler for a new one than to make a switch to an electric boiler and radiators.

You already have all the pipes and infrastructure established in your home and you may not wish to go through the hassle and expense of changing it.

Quick Heating

Unlike electric heating, gas boilers produce maximum heat from the moment they are turned on as the burner is instantly at full strength when activated.

The quicker your home is heated the less time you need to have the system on for and the more money you will save. Gas heating generally needs to be on for far less time than electric systems and this is one of the major reasons that gas heating bills tend to be lower.

Limitations of Gas Heating

Less Efficient

Gas boilers max out their efficiency at around 90% and most fall below that. Electric heating systems are 100% efficient in comparison, turning 1kWh of electric to 1 unit of heat.

This means you will never be able to achieve the same efficiency using a gas boiler as an electric one although this is offset slightly by the higher cost of electricity. 

Boiler Maintenance

Getting your gas boiler serviced is an expensive and ongoing cost that you need to consider when opting for gas central heating. If you choose not to have your boiler serviced you risk breakdown and the costs that bring, as well as risking carbon monoxide leaks by not monitoring its safety system.

Whatever heating system that you choose, Greener Energy Group can provide all the advice and expert installation you need, with award winning products and services at your disposal.

To get more information on any of our products call 03335 77 66 99 today, or take our home suitability survey.

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Many people are understandably eager to ensure their property is kept safe from burglars. The best approach to handling burglary is preventing it in the first place.

In this article, we’ll go over some of the best ways to keep your property protected from criminals and how best to deter them.

Effective Home Security Systems

The best way to protect a property from Burglars and deter them from even attempting to access your home is relatively simple, the installation of visible home security systems.

Recent studies by the police have found 84% of burglars will avoid a home equipped with a visible home security system. In the simplest possible terms, the reason for this is because burglars do not have any interest in difficult targets or properties which might give them any trouble. A security system increases the chances of being caught, and even prosecuted. As such, a burglar will most likely avoid a property.

We’ll discuss below two of the most effective home security systems professionals can provide. Burglar Alarms Glasgow and CCTV.

Burglar Alarms

Modern Burglar Alarm systems are well regarded as one of the most effective means of protecting your home. One study found that 60% of burglars interviewed would avoid a home equipped with a visible alarm system. Another study found that 80% of burglars who entered a property and had an alarm go off would attempt to immediately leave.

The reasons for this are as simple as ever. An alarm system going off makes a lot of noise and draws a lot of attention, and the last thing a burglar wants is any attention; it maximises the potential of being caught, apprehended, and prosecuted. Burglars rarely want any kind of confrontation, and so will make a serious effort to avoid a property which has this kind of protection.

Modern alarm systems can be equipped to alert the police upon detecting an intruder. Not only is this a fantastic way to guarantee the protection of your property, but it is a fantastic way to ensure an intruder is warded off. Many burglars are aware of these features, and so will avoid properties with a visible alarm system.

One thing that should be warned against is the use of ‘dummy’ or fake alarms. While the visible presence of an alarm system is often enough to deter criminals, fake alarms are rather easy to detect and identify – and often prove inviting since burglars will assume there aren’t other security systems present in the property.

CCTV

CCTV, alongside a Burglar Alarm system, is by far one of the best ways to keep your property protected. In a Co-op insurance study, CCTV was found to be the number 1 deterrent by professional burglars. There’s good reason for this; CCTV systems ability to record footage means even in the case of a successful crime, the potential to be caught is still there.

This is not to mention the serious worry for a criminal over a prosecution. CCTV evidence of committing a crime effectively guarantees a prosecution for the burglar, and as such, many burglars have 0 interest in a property where breaking and entering could see them being prosecuted.

Modern CCTV systems come with effective features such as remote monitoring and remote access, meaning there’s the ability for true 24/7 protection of the property. Remote monitoring by professionals can ensure the police are alerted to any

It also means you can constantly be checking on the status of your home. Criminals are aware of this and will try to avoid properties equipped with CCTV because of it.

CCTVs versatility and the wide range of both wired and wireless options makes it a highly popular choice for home security. 

Other Ways of Deterring Criminals

Keeping Lights on

Keeping lights on or using outdoor lights in your garden gives your home the appearance of activity and this alone is fantastic for encouraging criminals to avoid your property. The appearance of activity or occupation is often enough for criminals to avoid a property, as they’ve no interest in a confrontation and are looking for easy targets. As such, making your property look like its occupied can do a huge amount to keep your home safe.

Keeping Doors and Windows Secure

By keeping your windows and doors secure, you can ensure criminals have no easy entrances to your home. Many burglars will not attempt to forcibly break into a property, but simply slip in by opening an unlocked window or door. Always ensure your doors and windows are locked. At the same time, older windows (with their rickety frames and weak single pane windows) are often appealing to criminals as they are relatively easy to break and enter through.

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Being a security guard is a far more complex role than many realise.

Each officer has a range of responsibilities included in their job description from personal protection to construction site patrols and hotel security.

If you are looking to hire a security guard for your business or are looking to become one yourself it is essential to understand exactly what a security guard does and what duties they are expected to carry out.

Patrols

Any security guard who is employed to protect property or area will conduct regular patrols to ensure that there have been no security breaches and that nothing is out of place.

In some situations, their patrol may be in a vehicle or with a canine unit, but in the main, these will be conducted by a single officer on foot.

There is a small possibility that they will actually catch an intruder during a patrol but more likely they will act as a visual deterrent to potential criminals who will usually choose another property to target if they know there is a manned patrol or CCTV.

Emergency Response

In the case of an emergency, the security guard is in charge of both detection and response.

Staff and members of the public will look to a security guard in times of danger, and they should take a leadership role at this time.

The security guard’s employer should have established procedures in place to deal with all types of emergencies which may occur. These could range from an intruder on the site or a physical confrontation to a fire or a terrorist attack, depending on the guard’s post at that time.

Given this wide range of different incidents which all require a unique response from the security guard, it is essential that they take time to become experts in every different procedure which is in place.  

Contacting Emergency Services

Security guards must also know exactly when and how to contact the authorities. They may be able to resolve minor disputes however they are not equipped to deal with incidents like property fire and more serious crimes such as armed robberies.

In these situations, a security guard will swiftly summon the police or fire service in order to limit damage and focus on protecting innocent bystanders.

If someone gets seriously injured security guards may be trained in basic first aid but their primary role will be to secure the scene until the paramedics arrive.

Customer Contact

When a customer or client enters a business, the security guard is often their first point of contact.

Security guards are sometimes asked to man the front desk for a company so they can check credentials and ensure that no unauthorised individuals gain access to the site.

This means they must be personable and helpful as they are the first impression a potential customer will get of the business.

Security officers must also have an excellent knowledge of the entire premises as they may be asked to direct visitors to the required area.

A visible security presence at the entrance to a premises can reassure customers that they are safe on site and can be key to securing business. Guards must stay professional and appear in charge at all times in order to create this sense of safety. 

Feedback

If an incident does occur, it is important that a security guard’s employer knows what went wrong.

This will allow them to change their security protocols or put in place new rules to makes sure a similar event never happens again.

The security guard’s role in this process is vital. Once they have dealt with an ongoing situation they will create a full report on what took place and deliver it to their employers.

As well as being able to help reduce risk in the future, these reports can be useful eyewitness evidence accounts should legal proceedings be required.

As well as incident reports, security guards should provide general observations on the effectiveness of the security systems in place and any weaknesses they have noticed during a patrol.

There may be a dead spot not covered by CCTV or an area that is not lit at all at night. By using their expertise to point out these high risk areas, security officers will help prevent crime from occurring at all and ensure their employer’s premises is as safe as possible for staff.

Prime Secure’s SIA accredited security guards undergo extensive training to ensure they are the best in the industry at delivering all these services and many more.

As a UK wide company, who has been providing professional security guards for over 25 years, we have a national reach backed by the local knowledge of our operatives who are always on hand to fulfil all your security needs.

Whichever type of security guard you are looking for, Prime Secure is ready for your call on 0345 88 88 333.

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