When a security guard’s instinct saves a life
On a busy August afternoon in Leicester Square, an 11-year-old girl was attacked at random, held in a headlock, and stabbed repeatedly. As screams cut through the noise of the city, one man ran towards the danger, not away from it. That man was Abdullah Tanoli, a security guard working at a nearby store. His immediate, selfless action saved the child’s life.
Abdullah’s story is remarkable, but it also reveals something profound about what it truly means to be a security professional. He had his SIA licence and the training that comes with it. But as he told the BBC, he had no specialist training for a knife attack. What he had was something far more valuable: courage, humanity, and the instinct to protect.
“The only thing was humanity,” he said. “When one human is in danger, you have to save them.”
Beyond training: What makes a true professional
This is the core of professionalism in the security industry. While technical skills are essential, it’s character that determines how you use them. Abdullah ran towards an attacker without knowing how he would stop him. He grabbed the knife hand, twisted it, and managed to force the knife free and pin the man down until police arrived.
For about five minutes—which felt like a lifetime—he held the attacker there, all without specialist training for such a situation.
“Most people stayed back,” Abdullah reflected. “And that is understandable. Safety first. But if you know you can save someone, you should.”
The girl and her mother, both Australian nationals visiting London on holiday, were moved to safety. The child has since undergone surgery and made a steady recovery.
A week after the attack, the victim’s mother contacted Abdullah on social media to thank him personally. They told him he would always be part of their family.
“I consider her like my younger sister,” Abdullah says. They remain in contact, sharing messages and photographs—a bond formed in the worst of circumstances but sustained by genuine human connection.
Recognition for those who keep us safe
Abdullah’s heroism has been recognized. He received bravery awards and was promoted to a management position—a testament to an industry increasingly rewarding professionalism and integrity.
But his story also highlights a broader truth: security professionals are often undervalued despite the critical work they do every single day.
Day in and day out, security professionals are on the frontline, acting as first responders, conflict mediators, and quiet guardians of public safety. They spot trouble before it starts, de-escalate volatile situations, and sometimes—like Abdullah—put their own lives on the line. Yet they rarely hear thank you.
Consider the story of Anabela Moriera, a security professional whose quick thinking saved a man’s life. At one of the venues where she worked, a guest appeared unsteady. Many might have assumed he was drunk. Anabela trusted her instincts. She cleared the area, called 999, and stayed with him until help arrived.
It turned out he was having a brain haemorrhage and had a tumour. Where others saw a drunk customer, Anabela saw a person in urgent need. Her quick thinking saved a life.
These stories remind us that security professionals are not just uniforms—they are vital members of our community, contributing to our safety in ways both visible and invisible.
Introducing the Thank You Wall
This Christmas, Get Licensed has launched the Thank You Wall, an initiative with a simple but powerful message: “Say thanks to those who keep you safe this Christmas.”
Security professionals rarely hear thank you. During the busiest times of the year—like Christmas—they work long shifts, often away from their own families, to ensure everyone else can enjoy the season safely.
The Thank You Wall is a way to change that. It’s a place to share gratitude for a security officer, trainer, or anyone in the industry who has made a difference in your life.
The wall is already filling with heartwarming messages. Some thank Get Licensed trainers for their excellence. Others express gratitude to security staff working during Christmas and New Year.
Many highlight specific instructors who went above and beyond to help people succeed in their careers. Each message, whether brief or detailed, carries weight—it’s recognition that these professionals’ work matters.
Share your thank you
Do you have a story about a security professional who has impacted your life? Maybe it’s a security officer who made you feel safe, a trainer who helped you succeed, or a colleague who showed exceptional professionalism and care.
This is your chance to say thank you.
Visit the Thank You Wall and share your message. Click “Add your message” and tell the security industry—or someone specific—what they mean to you. Your words might be exactly what someone needs to hear.
Because at the end of the day, security professionalism is about more than a uniform. It’s about humanity, courage, and a genuine commitment to the safety and wellbeing of those around us.
It’s about people like Abdullah Tanoli, who chose to run towards danger to save a child’s life. It’s about people like Anabela Moriera, who trusted her instincts and saved a life. And it’s about the thousands of other security professionals who, every single day, make the choice to put the safety of others first.
This Christmas, let’s make sure they know they’re appreciated.
