There’s a stereotype that won’t die. Security guards just stand around. They watch screens. They check badges. They look bored.
If you’ve ever worked a shift, you know how laughable that is. The reality is that frontline security officers across the UK are doing genuinely hands-on, skilled, and impactful work every single day, and most of it goes completely unrecognised.
This blog is about changing that and debunking security guard myths. We’ve pulled together some recent real stories from the frontline that show what this job actually involves. Whether you’re already in the industry or thinking about getting into it, these are the stories that deserve your attention.
Saving Nine Lives in a Single Year
Let’s start with the security team at St Helier University Hospital. Over the past year, this 25-strong team has saved nine lives.
Not in some dramatic Hollywood way — in the real, messy, high-pressure way that nobody films. They’ve talked people down from rooftops, administered emergency first aid, and stepped in during violent mental health crises that other staff simply aren’t equipped to handle.
What makes this team stand out is their approach. They developed a technique called ‘One Person, One Voice’ for managing mental health incidents, and it’s reduced assaults on hospital staff by up to 50%. That’s not just security work — that’s changing how an entire hospital operates. The team picked up five national awards in January 2026, and honestly, they deserved more.
This is the kind of work frontline security officers do that never makes the headlines. It’s skilled, it’s emotionally demanding, and it makes a real difference to people’s lives.
The Officer Who Stopped a Knife Attack in Leicester Square
You might have heard about Abdullah Tanoli. In 2024, he was working as a frontline security officer in Leicester Square when a man pulled a knife and began attacking people. Abdullah didn’t hesitate. He intervened, restrained the attacker, and prevented what could have been a far worse incident.
What happened next says a lot about where this industry is heading. Abdullah didn’t just go back to his normal shifts and get forgotten about. He was recognised across the industry, and in January 2026, he was appointed as the Frontline Ambassador for IPSA (the International Professional Security Association).
He’s now actively shaping policy and standards for the profession. His story is proof that the skills and instincts security officers develop on the job are valued at the highest levels, and that this career can take you places you might not expect.
Recommended Reading: What Security Guards Can Do
Standing Up in Retail — Even When It Gets Physical
Retail security is one of the most hands-on roles in the industry, and the people doing it rarely get the credit they deserve. Every day, officers across the UK are dealing with aggressive shoplifters, confrontations, and situations that escalate quickly.
In January 2026, the case of Alun Harris-Richards made national news. Alun was a 61-year-old security guard and former Royal Marine working at an Asda store in Scotland. He confronted a shoplifter, and the situation turned physical. His story was a sobering reminder of just how much retail security officers put on the line, and how seriously employers (and the public) should take that role.
Then there’s the door supervisor in Wolverhampton who was attacked outside a nightclub in August 2025 and suffered a fractured eye socket and cheekbone. Or Daniel Lessie, a hotel security officer in London who was assaulted with a broken wine glass after asking a guest to leave — an attack that left him dealing with months of recovery and financial hardship.
These aren’t stories designed to put anyone off. They’re stories that show the reality of what security professionals deal with and why the role commands respect. The vast majority of shifts don’t involve anything like this. But when situations do arise, it’s frontline security officers who step up — and that takes genuine skill, composure, and training.
Recommended Reading: Retail Security Officer’s Checklist
It’s a Hands-On Career — And That’s What Makes It Rewarding
The common thread in every one of these stories is that frontline security officers were the ones who made a difference. Not bystanders, not managers watching from an office — the people on the ground, trained and ready.
That’s what makes this career genuinely rewarding. You’re not passive. You’re actively protecting people, managing situations, and using a skillset that most people simply don’t have. From conflict management and physical intervention to first aid and mental health awareness, the breadth of what you learn and apply in this role is seriously underestimated.
If you’re already working in security, it’s worth thinking about how you can build on that foundation. Could a CCTV operator licence open up new opportunities? Would a door supervisor qualification give you more variety and better earning potential? The officers who keep developing are the ones who get the most out of this career.
And if you’re considering getting into the industry, know this: it’s not about standing around. It’s about being the person everyone else turns to when something happens. That’s a career worth having.
Take the Next Step Now
Whether you’re looking to break into security or expand what you can do, it all starts with the right training. Explore our full range of SIA training courses and see what’s available near you. The frontline needs people who are prepared, professional, and ready to make a difference.
