In the spring of 2012 Leisuresec was asked to provide an emergency security guard at the premises of a well-known sportswear distributor.
Their alarm system had failed and they needed us to protect the property overnight.
This led to our being used ad-hoc whenever emergencies occurred and eventually leading to more regular stable work.
Improving communication
We were asked to provide the service by the Head of Security for the entire estate. He needed efficient systems of communication so he could receive details of thefts or abuse quickly, enabling him to issue advice and instructions clearly and accurately.
The sins
At the time they were using a very wide range of security providers, who between them were guilty of the following seven sins of security:
- Sending unlicensed guards
- Charging for guards who had not attended
- Sending guards who had not been inducted
- Sending new guards without warning or consultation
- Guards failing to report thefts
- Guards leaving the premises unattended without permission
- Sending guards who have no experience in a retail environment.
Part of the problem was that the average shoplifter had more experience at stealing than the average guard had at catching thieves (there are website giving shoplifting tips). The sales staff were assuming the guards knew what they were doing, plus their primary function of selling stock was uppermost in their minds.
Problems passing on information
The Security Director had an extensive knowledge of loss prevention strategies which he had amassed through personal experience over 20 years in the industry. However passing that knowledge down through the ranks from Area Manager to Store Manager to Floor Manager to Counter Staff, in the hope that it would eventually reach the intended recipient (the guard) was a very hit and miss task. One which was exacerbated by the transient nature of the work force and the seven sins.
Developing solutions
For some time, we had been concerned about the inconsistency of report writing by our own Security Operatives; legibility, consistency and relevance were the key issues.
We were in the era where the emergence of the app was making a serious impact and of course every Security Operative had a mobile phone. The required action was obvious, so in late 2012 to solve this customer’s problem we embarked upon the task of developing a sector specific app which would meet all of his needs and more.
Focal Point is born
The Focal Point app is available in Android or IOS and is applicable for every sector of security.
The SIA licence verification feature will keep a lot of people on the right side of the law. The layout of the report ensures all relevant aspects of an incident are logged and available immediately after submission.
The GPS feature confirms the location of the guard at the commencement of his shift and periodically during it so no ghosting.
There are too many features to mention here but suffice to say that it is quick and simple to use, avoiding time away from duty to produce reports and the site specific health & safety induction feature will put a smile on your HR departments face.
Leisuresec truly is a customer driven business.
