Whenever it comes to a safe and secure environment, then the major person behind the safety is security guards. The guards are in demand in various events like offices, big firms, shopping malls, stores, hospitals, marriage halls, and many more places.
They are responsible for maintaining safety in these places. However, you sometimes might think about what the responsibilities of the security personnel are in such events. So, if you are curious to know what are security guards are allowed to do and what they can’t do, then check out this blog till the end to get to know more about the legal rights of security guards.
What Security Guards Can and Can’t Do: A Complete Guide
If you are running a businesses, you must make sure to hire security guards to ensure safety and allows you smoothly run your business. However, we at Whitehorse Ltd, take pride on providing professionally trained security guards in order to defend your businesses.
Moreover, when you partner with Whitehorse Ltd, our security guards will help you with two important security issues: deter threats and respond to any security issues when they arrive.
Check out the following what security guards can and can’t do:
What Security Guards Can Do
Security guards are crucial when considering the safety of your business, home, or property. However, if you are wondering what security guards are legally allowed to do, then check out the followings.
1. Remove People From a Private Property
Security guards have the authority to remove you from private property. It is part of the construction site security guards, building security guards, and events security guards’ jobs. However, if after the sayings of security someone refused to leave the property, then the guards can contact police to prevent someone from entering the property.
2. Perform a Citizen’s Arrest
Security guards have the power to arrest someone if they commit any sin or wrong activity, depending on the policies of the firm they work for and the circumstances at hand. However, they can’t take further action against the person more than just arrest. They can only wait for the law enforcement agencies to reach so that the guards handover the person to them.
3. Request a Physical Search
There are some places where safety measures are considered the most. In such cases, the security guards have the right to perform a physical search on someone with their consent. However, if the guards find someone suspicious, then they can search the person’s shopping bags while leaving the store.
4. Carry Weapons
When it comes to carrying weapons, the security guards can use firearms to stop people from committing any sin or doing wrong activity. However, for firms with high-security dangers, security guards provide extra safety.
5. Refuse Entry
If an event happened and someone came to the event without being invited, then the security guards have the right to stop the person from entering the event. This way, trained security personnel can keep your business or any event safe and secure from outside threats.
What Security Guards Can’t Do
Although security guards have many rights to protect a business, property, or event, still they don’t have control over everything. Simply put, guards are not legally allowed to do the same work as police officers do. The major reason behind this is that they are only security guards, not police officers who have all the authorities.
However, when you partner with Whitehorse Ltd, we ensure all the security guards understand their authorities about what they can and can’t do, especially when it is the right time to step back and call for help.
1. Search Someone Without Their Consent
Security guards have the authority to search for someone’s bag, but they don’t have the right to search someone without permission. However, if someone let the guards search them, then it’s fine; if not, then the guards can’t go any further for research.
2. Use Unbridled Force
No matter what the cause or issue is, the security guards who are capable of self-defence still don’t have the right to use extreme force on anyone. They should do according to the law whatever is right and accurate.
3. Detain People for an Unlimited Time
Security guards are not responsible for or don’t have the right to detain people. However, if such situations occur that one is detained, the security guards can contact law enforcement personnel to look after the matter.
4. Pull Someone Over
This is quite obvious that security guards do not have authority outside of the firms or property they are hired to protect from unknown. Moreover, security personnel are not responsible for pulling someone over or even arresting them.
However, they are authorised to control parking lots or garages, ask queries, or even detain people without using force. Additionally, they are responsible for looking after the property and the entrance but not responsible for conducting traffic stops.
Conclusion
The blog covered comprehensive details about what security guards are allowed to do or not do. Remember that security guards play a vital role in protecting people and property. However, they are mainly hired to shelter a certain area, and their job is to keep the property and any personnel safe and secure.
Despite that, security guards can even ask you to leave the area, stop loitering, or hold you for trespassing. So, if you are looking for a reliable security service provider in the UK, make sure to connect with Whitehorse Ltd.