Kingdom Security has thrown its support behind a parliamentary petition advocating for enhanced legal protections for security workers in the UK.
The company, aligned with the S12 Committee, urges industry peers and the public to lend their support to this cause.
Currently, the country's nearly 250,000 security personnel face inadequate legal safeguards, prompting Kingdom Security to demand legislative changes.
Advocating for Security Worker Safety
The petition aims to categorize assaults on security personnel as standalone criminal offenses, akin to protections granted under the Assault on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018. The escalating problem of retail crime and shoplifting has exposed security officers to increasing threats and abuse while they work to protect people and property.
According to a 2021 survey by Ifsec Global, over one-third of security workers face physical attacks monthly, with over half experiencing verbal abuse at every shift, numbers likely exacerbated since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Calls for Legislative Change
Kingdom Security deploys officers across sectors including retail, ports, fire safety, and mobile patrolsGraham Allison, Chief Services Officer at Kingdom Security, expressed support for the petition on behalf of both their employees and the broader security sector.
"The petition calls for fairness, safety, and recognition," said Allison. "As crimes against people and property grow more audacious, security officers remain on the frontlines, often facing serious verbal and physical abuse. They deserve the same legal protections as other frontline workers."
Employment Across Industries
Kingdom Security employs thousands of security officers across various sectors, ranging from retail and port security to fire warden services and mobile patrols.
"Our dedicated colleagues work tirelessly to protect the public," Allison continued. "Making the industry more accessible through this legislation could encourage more individuals to pursue careers in security, promoting it as a rewarding occupation."
Petition for Legal Protection
The petition, open to signatures, needs 10,000 supporters for a governmental response and 100,000 to be considered for parliamentary debate. Kingdom Security is urging its employees, industry partners, and the public to sign and share the petition.
Additionally, they advocate for supporting the S12 Committee’s ongoing efforts to achieve significant legislative reforms for the security industry.
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 offense, 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 centers 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.
