Locks and Security News: your weekly locks and security industry newsletter
17th April 2024 Issue no. 701

Your industry news - first

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Magenta supports first aid regulation for manned guards

Magenta Security Services is strongly supporting the SIA’s decision to require licenced guards to undertake first aid training from 1st April, 2020. 

Their support is based on the belief that the new requirement will improve standards across the industry.
 
“First aid training is highly regulated, recorded and demonstrates a high level of competence in terms of language skills, knowledge retention, sound judgement and a calm demeanour under pressure.  All of which should be inherent in licensed security guards,” comments Abbey Petkar, managing director of Magenta Security. 

“Although Magenta are still ardent supporters of business level licensing for the security industry, we welcome this new policy as it will force security providers to ensure their guards are better trained.  It will end the situation where below standard individuals receive licences and increase the quality of security services available to the wider market.”
 
Magenta Security has been a long-term advocate for stricter licensing of both security guards and security companies, campaigning for company-wide licensing for many years.  Whilst that will continue to be their ultimate goal, Magenta see this as a significant step towards more professionalisation across the industry.
 
Abbey concludes: “Too many cowboy firms find ways to circumvent the licensing process, putting low grade guards in the field.  They then undercut professional firms because they can get away with low wages and poor working conditions.  The addition of first aid training to the licensing process adds another level of robust quality control, ensuring higher standards across the whole industry.”

4th December 2019