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In the professional private security world there are a lot of us former military men and women who have gone through their careers often being proactive, seeking and destroying enemy targets but a large number have often been drilled and trained in being reactive. If there was an IED explosion you're taught to get off the X, form a 360 security perimeter and return fire, tend to the injured and either fight your way out or hold for extraction by taking the fight to the enemy or digging in. It is much the same for a contact on a patrol, you return fire, seek cover, achieve fire superiority and either break contact and withdraw or push forward. These are examples of being reactive and they are not wrong, they have saved mine and numerous other combat veterans lives. The issue is you are at a major disadvantage when the enemy has taken the initiative and strikes first. Think of it this way, who has a better chance of winning a fight, the guy throwing the first punch out of nowhere or the guy being punched out of nowhere? The guy throwing the first punch, right? Now im not saying that the guy being punched can't swing the tables round and win the scrap but it's clear that with enough aggression and violence initiated you can quickly overcome the opposition by "beating the opposition to the punch", no pun intended. Now, what does this have to do with the private security industry? Recently, I've read/listened to a book by Jason A Riley & Patrick Van Horne entitled Left Of Bang and this book has forced me to change the way I and my team think as security professionals and this is what I will share with you now. The aim of the game in the private security industry and especially executive protection is to stay Left Of Bang, the bang being the incident be it an overzealous fan grabbing your principal and knocking them to the floor or something more deadly like a shooter or car bomb, we as professionals do not want to be on the right side of that and dealing with an incident, we need to stay Left Of Bang and preempting these incidents so they never occur. How do we do this? The first thing that I would strongly urge any security professional is to get acquainted with Coopers Colour Code Of Awareness, pictured above. Cooper’s Color Codes of Awareness are divided into 5 possible categories, white, yellow, orange, red and black: Level White, is one that no one should ever be in. If you are in level white, you are not aware at all in what is going on around you. You are totally unprepared in the event someone attacked. sadly the vast majority of our nations are going about their daily lives like this. Level Yellow, is simply being aware of your surroundings but relaxed and not really expecting much to kick off. Level Orange, is a level that a lot of combat vets, former military and even people that come from rougher areas in their town or city are accustomed to. I personally am always on orange and comes part and parcel with being a combat vet. You have determined that there is a possible threat and are prepared to act. Level Red, we are involved in an emergency and our focus is on dealing with that emergency. Besides the event we are engaged in, a secondary danger is that because our focus is so intensely on this event, we may not see other possible dangers approaching, i.e. secondary explosion, friend of attacker or secondary shooter. Level Black, is also a level you don't want to ever be in or experience, you panic, shut down, freeze and do nothing. How does this correlate to security professionals? We need to strive to be aware of who is around you and what is happening at all times, you, your principal and teams chances of staying out of trouble are increased significantly. LEVEL ORANGE IS WHERE YOU NEED TO BE WHEN WORKING! Keeping an eye on things and people that look out of place, not being distracted by pointless targets or the hot waitress or server that is giving you eyes. Being on the ball with your head on a swivel is a lot to process for someone new to this way of thinking but if you are or are striving to be a professional then this is a major part of it. Having a quick draw with your sidearm or being a black belt in BJJ is no good if you're right right of bang, The goal is to stay LEFT OF BANG and to be a predator in whatever environment you are in. This isn't just for executive protection operatives, this is for the door staff at nightclubs, event stewards at football matches and event security at concerts and other live events. Stay WOKE and STAY ORANGE! The goal is to protect the principal, get your team and yourself home safely with zero incidents, PEACE OUT!
What is the actual difference between a bodyguard and an executive protection operative? The age old debate we have in our team and one that gets argued about the world over. Which do you prefer to be referred to or called? A BG or an EPO? Some of our men and women don't mind being called bodyguards, others love being called a bodyguard and others hate it and only want to be referred to as an EPO and it simply comes down to how do you like or want to be perceived. Let's be honest here, when we think of either one we have a mental image already made up of who or what we associate with them. You may think of a huge guy, black hoody, cross body bag and a bad attitude when asked about a bodyguard whilst asked about an executive protection operative you may think of an unassuming person, well groomed, smart suit on and ear piece that doesn't seem to talk much.. Am I wrong or am I right? I believe along with a lot of professionals in this industry that for the most part bodyguards solely offer "close protection" to their principle and honestly that's as far as their job really goes. A bodyguard typically provides personal security and protection often focusing on physical protection and minimising risks to their principles safety. You work as part of a larger protection team on a particular detail but your sole job is to mind or protect the principle, that is it. On the other hand as an executive protection operative your job is to provide the WHOLE PACKAGE! and a comprehensive security service. This includes vulnerability and risk assessments, planning security details, liaising with staff at venues, hotels, airports, running pre route checks to all locations and much more. You are required to provide a range of protective services beyond physical protection such as security intelligence and crisis management. It is the job of the EPO to communicate directly with the principle or principles manager clearly and make every one aware of contingency plans in place and standard operating procedures while they are under your care. Simply put EPOs offer a more holistic and total package when it comes to security and risk management. Above are listed the differences in jobs but when it comes down to it the same attributes and qualities are asked of each person in this industry.. Professionalism Good manners Resilience Discretion Socially skilled Whatever your goals in life and your career remember work hard, get out there and keep PUSHING FORWARD! Happy Monday!
Terrorism What is terrorism? and how can it affect you and the day to day running of your venue? These and other questions will be answered in this short informative article. What is terrorism? Terrorism: The unlawful use, or threatened use, of force or violence against individuals or property, in an attempt to coerce or intimidate governments or societies, to achieve political, financial, religious or idealogical gain. Acts of terrorism vary in terms of scale and purpose. Some causing superficial damage, some to cause public distress, some to draw attention to a particular cause and some that carry more deadly intent. The most significant threat comes from international terror acts and their ambitions to mount high impact attacks that combine mass casualties with substantial disruption to key services like public transport and communications. For venues in and around central London it is paramount that you and your staff take extra care as it comes closer to historic or important days in the British calendar and have the right security team with experience in place handling and assessing these particular risks. What or who could be threats to your business? Businesses face a range of threats that possess the potential to cause significant disruption. These can include disgruntled past employees Competitors Activist groups Organised crime Religious extremists Political groups What are their aims? Terrorists aim to enforce change through violence and intimidation, its as simple as that. Terrorist tactics? Terrorist tactics tend to favour attacks that exploit vulnerabilities and avoid effective countermeasures. These groups have the capabilities to make use of different types of terrorism tactics depending on the circumstances and the likelihood of their success. These include: Shootings Hijackings Kidnappings Bombings Suicide attacks And in recent years we’ve seen vehicle used as weapons too. Of course you also have the unconventional tactics like cyber, bio etc but for now we’ll focus on the big 6. What can you do? 1. Stay alert especially if your venue is located in a crowded place, near to or hosting an event, public transport, and iconic locations as these could be potential targets. 2. Watch out for things out the ordinary. You're familiar with your workplace and surrounding area, so you’re ideally placed to spot when something is amiss. Remain vigilant, trust your instincts and report possible terrorist activity to the police or your security team. 3. Watch people in or near the venue for suspicious behaviour such as loitering, recording unusual parts of the building, present but not quite “there” etc 4. Depending on your location and the threat level you can also instruct your security team to carry out bag searches before entering the venue etc Case study No.1 London Bridge Attack June, 2017, London Bridge located in Central London was attacked by Islamic extremists whereby a van swerved off the road and struck several pedestrians on London Bridge. After the van crashed its three occupants ran to the nearby Borough Market area and began stabbing people near to the restaurants and pubs. A good friend of ours and local door supervisor saved countless lives when he hurled bar stools and glasses at the attackers. There were 8 confirmed killed 48 injured including four unarmed police officers. The three attackers who wore fake S-vests/Suicide vests were shot dead by police at the scene. The incident came less than three months after five people were killed in a similar vehicle ramming attack further over west in Westminster. Case study No.2 Manchester Arena Bombing The Manchester arena bombing was an Islamic extremist terror attack in Manchester, United Kingdom. On 22nd May 2017, a shrapnel filled, homemade improvised explosive device (IED) was detonated as people were leaving the arena following a concert by the singer Ariana Grande. Twenty three people were confirmed killed including the attacker whilst a total of 512 people were reported to be left injured or traumatised. We urge you and your staff to stay alert in 2024, don’t brush things off and always trust your gut. If it doesn’t feel right then chances are it isn’t.. See it, Report it, Stay SAFE!
Having security measures in place at your venue and executed by an experienced security team is essential for several reasons: 1. Safety of patrons: Door supervisors help ensure the safety and well-being of your customers. They can prevent incidents such as fights, thefts and other criminal activities that may occur on your premises. By providing a safe environment, you can attract more customers and build a positive reputation for you and your brand. 2. Prevent alcohol related incidents: A lot of venues often serve alcohol, which can impair judgement and behaviour. Having door supervisors can help monitor customers' alcohol consumption and intervene if someone becomes too intoxicated or show signs of aggressive behaviour. This proactive approach can prevent potential harm to both patrons and staff. 3. Manage crowd control: Venues can get crowded, especially during peak hours or when hosting events. A security team can help manage crowd control, ensuring that there is space for everyone and turn people away at the door if the venue is close to capacity, preventing overcrowding and maintaining order. This can reduce the likelihood of accidents or injuries due to overcrowding. 4. Protect your staff and property: Door supervisors can help protect your venue, staff or property from theft, vandalism or other forms of harm. They can monitor entrance and exits, keep an eye on suspicious individuals and respond swiftly to any incidents that may occur. 5. Compliance with legal requirements: Depending on your location there may be legal requirements for venues serving alcohol after a certain time to have security measures in place. This can include measures such as ID checking, preventing underage drinking and maintain a safe environment. By having security in place, you can obviously ensure your compliance with these regulations. Overall having security at your venue helps create a safe and enjoyable environment for your customers, protects your staff and property, and ensures compliance with legal requirements.
The Christmas and New Year festivities are done, Santa hats are binned, the lights are coming down and the takings from the last few weeks have got you feeling like you own the street. Unfortunately, the troubles that face you as a venue owner are still staring you down in the face. As a venue owner in and around central London there will always be a lot of tourist foot traffic (perfect for you right), which in turn attracts drink spikers, pick pockets and drug dealers. In todays lively world, attending events and venues has become an integral part of our lifestyles. However, amidst the excitement and enjoyment, it is important not to overlook the potential dangers. Three common threats I see every weekend on the doors, that a lot of the time go unnoticed, when not actively searched out are: pickpockets, drink spikes and drug dealers. In this blog, aimed at venue owners but also door supervisors and the public, we're going to explore effective strategies to ensure safety inside venues, aiming to empower venue owners and create a secure environment for everyone. Understanding the threats: Pickpockets: These skilled thieves easily blend into crowded bars, pubs and nightclubs, exploit moments of distraction to snatch phones, wallets and bags from unsuspecting individuals who have let their guard down in their pursuit of fun. This can lead to your venue being brandished ... Of course this is damaging to your brand and not the image you want for you business. Drink spikers: These predators much like the pick pockets blend into crowded venues and either befriend a victim in order to drug and take advantage or will drug a random individual in order to follow and take advantage of away from the venue. Again, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that you don't want your venue to have the reputation as a place people are spiked. What I've learnt through the years working in and around central London is that spiking isn't just for sexual gain, people can be spiked as a way for criminals to gain access to banking apps, credit cards and house or car keys. Drug dealers: Venues provide a common ground for drug dealers to approach potential customers discreetly, as the substances they offer are illegal and can lead to serious consequences. Therefore, they target unsuspecting venues as a hub to be able to blend in and go unnoticed. Preventing Pickpocket Incidents: 1. Stay Vigilant: Maintaining awareness along with your current security team is crucial. As a door supervisor, the buck lies with you and as a team you should be scanning the venue constantly and reading the body language of suspected people at all times. 2. Use "Secure Your Bag" Signs: These signs you can have dotted around the venue to ensure the public are reminded to keep their belongings zipped up. 3. Opt For Secure Storage: Many venues I've worked in nowadays are starting to offer secure locker facilities. Utilising these can let the public relax more and enjoy their time in your establishment. Preventing Drink Spikes: 1. Hire a Good Security Firm: The security firm you've hired should be assessing all customers entering and leaving the venue, those that are too drunk should not be allowed entry and those inside deemed to be too far gone are made to leave. It is also the job of the door supervisors to keep an eye out for suspicious behaviour & body language and also people hanging around other people that are not interested in their company. 2. Invest In Products:. There are numerous items that can be bought and implemented in your establishment many which I've seen work first hand after a few weeks of a venue trying them and getting used to them... One of them being the anti spike drinks cover , which you can click on the link to check out. Combating Drug Dealers: 1. Hire a Good Security Firm and Increase Security Measures: Enhancing security measures can be an effective deterrent for drug dealers. Increase the number of door staff during peak hours and place them strategically around the venue, particularly near high-risk areas such as bathrooms and blind spots. Utilise surveillance cameras to monitor suspicious activities discreetly. 2. Establish a Zero-Tolerance Policy: Venue owners and managers should make it clear to staff and patrons that drug dealing and misuse will not be tolerated within the establishment. This involves communicating the policy through signage, announcements and strict enforcement from the door staff. 3. Train Staff To ID Potential Drug Dealers: Constant staff training is essential to recognising suspicious behaviour and identifying potential dealers. Educate your staff about the signs of dealing like frequent visits to the toilet, excessive cash handling and unusual communication patterns. Encourage staff to report any suspicious behaviour and to trust and rely that the door staff will do their job. Conclusion: Tackling criminals in your establishment requires a comprehensive approach involving venue owners, staff, security, patrons and local law enforcement. While eliminating crime completely may be an unattainable goal, you can take proactive steps in the new year to create a safer environment for everyone. By implementing comprehensive security measures with the security firm such as improving surveillance systems, choosing to employ or employ more door supervisors, training staff, purchasing safe industry products and making small changes & fostering a safe and inclusive atmosphere, venue owners and door staff can significantly reduce the risk of criminal incidents. Lets make tackling crime in your venue a top priority in the new year and ensure it remains an enjoyable place for all. HAPPY NEW YEAR! Be Safe & Be Lucky!