Kingdom Security has joined forces with the S12 Committee in supporting a new parliamentary petition aimed at improving legal safeguards for security workers in the UK.
The move calls on others within the industry and the public to rally behind the initiative.
Currently, the UK employs nearly 250,000 security professionals, who lack sufficient legal protections, prompting Kingdom Security to advocate for legislative change.
Call for dedicated legislation
The petition seeks to establish an offence for assaulting a security worker, akin to the protection afforded to emergency service workers through the Assault on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018.
With increasing incidences of shoplifting and retail crime across the UK, security personnel in shops, malls, and public areas face escalating threats and abuse while performing their duties.
According to a 2021 survey by Ifsec Global, more than a third of security officers are physically attacked each month, and over half experience verbal abuse regularly, a situation likely worsened post-COVID-19.
Support from industry leaders
Kingdom Security employs thousands of officers across diverse security rolesKingdom Security's endorsement of the petition is also supported by the Security Industry Federation and reflects a broader call for enhanced protections for security professionals.
Graham Allison, Chief Services Officer at Kingdom Security, emphasised the importance of this initiative. "The petition calls for fairness, safety, and recognition," stated Allison. "Security officers, who are on the frontline of combating everyday crime, deserve legal protections comparable to other frontline professionals."
Diverse employment and opportunities
Employing thousands of security officers across various roles including retail, port security, concierge, front of house, fire warden, and mobile patrol, Kingdom Security highlights the dedication of its workforce.
Graham Allison further commented, "We value our committed, passionate security colleagues who work tirelessly to protect the public daily. If this legislation passes, it could improve industry attractiveness and accessibility, potentially drawing more individuals to pursue careers in security."
Encouraging widespread support
The petition requires 10,000 signatures for an official government response and 100,000 for potential parliamentary debate. Kingdom Security urges its staff, industry contacts, and the general public to sign and disseminate the petition.
Furthermore, they advocate for supporters to endorse the efforts of the S12 Committee, which is actively pursuing significant legislative reform for the security sector.
Kingdom Security, one of the UK’s foremost security companies, is working in partnership with the S12 and urging others in the industry and the public to follow suit, as they back a new parliamentary petition to protect security workers.
The UK, which has almost 250,000 security workers, does not currently have enough legal protections that truly protect security workers, and Kingdom Security are calling for change.
The petition calls for assaulting a security worker to become a standalone criminal offence, similar to how other emergency service workers are protected by the Assault on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018.
Rising levels of threats
As shoplifting and retail crime becomes more commonplace in the UK, security officers at stores, shopping centres and out in the community are facing rising levels of threats and abuse while protecting people, property and public spaces.
Over a third are reportedly physically attacked monthly, and over half are reportedly verbally abused every time they work, according to a 2021 Ifsec Global survey. And with attacks on shop workers only growing following COVID-19, it is likely that this has only grown.
This is why Kingdom Security is backing a new petition, supported by the Security Industry Federation and the S12 Committee, calling on the government to introduce extra legislative protection for security workers.
Legal protections
Graham Allison, Chief Services Officer of Kingdom Security, said it is the right thing to do to back this petition, for their colleagues and also the wider security industry.
“The petition calls for fairness, safety and recognition,” says Graham Allison. “As crimes against people and property becomes increasingly brazen, security officers are on the frontline in the fight against everyday crime. They are protecting others every day, and many face serious verbal and physical abuse from members of the public – they undoubtedly deserve the same legal protections as other frontline professionals.”
Employment
Kingdom Security employ thousands of security officers across a range of industries and roles, including retail, port security, concierge and front of house, fire warden officers, and mobile patrol.
“We employ dedicated, hard-working and passionate security colleagues that care about protecting the public, and they do this day in and day out,” continues Graham. “We also want more people to see the industry as a great place to work, and if this legislation comes in there is no doubt the industry will become more accessible, and we’ll see more and more people want to start their career in security.”
Encouraging the supporters
Once the petition reaches 10,000 signatures, the government must issue a formal response. At 100,000 signatures, the petition will be considered for debate in Parliament. The petition is quick and simple to sign, requiring only a name, email address and postcode.
Kingdom is encouraging colleagues, industry contacts, friends and family to add their names and share the petition widely. Kingdom is also encouraging supporters to back the work of the S12 Committee, which is leading efforts to drive meaningful legislative change for the security industry.
