GMB fights to protect security guards
GMB fights to protect security guards
A new campaign is aiming to tackle the increasing number of attacks on security guards at work. Security industry union GMB, whose SafeGuard campaign was launched on 1 March at the House of Commons, is asking all Britain's security companies to sign the GMB SafeGuard Charter, committing them to act to tackle the attacks on 350,000 licensed security staff in the course of their work. GMB national officer Jude Brimble said: 'Security officers understand there is a risk of violence in the work they carry out. What they do not accept is that violent attacks and abuse against them must simply be tolerated as 'part of the job'.' She added: 'This GMB SafeGuard Charter aims to raise safety and industry standards, improve employment practices, and increase training and awareness across the industry. Security officers want the highly valuable and professional service that they deliver to be recognised and for the industry to adopt a high profile zero tolerance approach.' The GMB SafeGuard Charter, which has the support of the industry body BSIA, seeks to get clients, security companies, police and other agencies to agree to work together to reduce attacks. It also calls for income protection and support and counselling for workers suffering trauma and physical injuries. Other stipulations include provision of 'robust and high quality' training in conflict management and systems to record and analyse data on attacks across the security industry. GMB general secretary Paul Kenny said: 'Every attack is a crime against the person and the industry needs to send a clear message out that this will not be tolerated. Security officers provide vital services, but they need to know they will be protected and that the industry is seriously committed to improve safety standards and officers' welfare.'
GMB news release and SafeGuard charter [pdf]. GMB Security website. BSIA news release. SMT Online.
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