In the aftermath of the riots, The Ministry of Justice have released the staggering figure of 1,277 people who have so far appeared in court with over two thirds remanded in custody. Although most of the rioters and opportunistic ‘loony looters’ caught in the act on CCTV cameras are unemployed a vast majority are, or rather were employed. In a recent statement the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is quoted as saying that ‘convicted rioters will be met at the prison gates to ensure they then find work’, but who will employ them?
The toughest jail sentences so far have been awarded to two men accused of inciting disorder via social networking sites despite both men being of ‘previous good character’. Given the scope of Twitter and Facebook do these public incitements not highlight the need for across-the-board security training for all employees in public places or retail environments? Clearly physical intervention is not a course that should be taken by anyone, but surely by sharpening the vigilance of employees as an all inclusive security strategy could work as prevention rather than a cure-all defence.
Undoubtedly the retail environment has taken the brunt of the riots with many smaller businesses left with the decision to either clear up the mess or throw in the towel, but even at the best of times vendors are vulnerable to exploitation and not just by their customers. Recent events prove that all employees should be made aware of how they can play a part in security strategies, which apart from protecting themselves and their place of work would also improve moral and teamwork initiatives.
The Scotland Yard acting Commissioner Tim Goodwin recently revealed that the police had considered shutting down Twitter and Facebook to thwart the nationwide gang communication channels – but why not, via carefully planned staff training schemes, use these global networking sites as an all inclusive defence tactic? It’s fair to say that in the average sized store 95% of the staff will be actively involved in social networking including team leaders and managers. Surely therefore staff employed on the high street in Cheshire were well aware of the ‘Smash Down Northwich Town’ event posted on Facebook long before the authors were tracked down by the police.
Ideally security industry training providers, without compromising the excellent training they provide for Door Supervisors, CCTV Operatives and Security Guards, could provide guidelines and separate training programs that are not necessarily at the level of the SIA Licence requirements particularly for vulnerable retail staff. Let’s say the average Foot Locker store has forty staff, CCTV equipment and possibly a security guard or store detectives. What percentage of those forty sales staff will have had any security training, are aware of how the built-in surveillance technology works or how to react in a potentially volatile situation?
The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) in a recent bulletin is urging retailers to implement verification guidelines for staff who, emphasised by recent events, feel physically threatened or intimidated by aggressive customers or trouble-makers in store. Clearly there is a growing need for security industry training providers and retailers to work together in providing specific tuition for employees. It’s not unusual for individual members of staff to be appointed as a first aider or as a fire officer, but why not have a competent security officer drawn directly from the team who could well be an SIA Licence holder?
It’s a proven fact that the safer employees feel the more productive and confident they are. Effective security training should be a transparent strategy designed to promote a feeling of mutual support not as an add-on defence tactic. The more people who are encouraged to be involved in corporate security schemes the safer our stores and public places will become. There will always be unscrupulous characters around who will want to bend the rules, however all inclusive security training that promotes a healthy team spirit and increased vigilance will help eliminate negative behaviour and provide us all with safer places to work.
