Why should I use an accredited contractor for my security services?

When trusting a security company to look after your business security, you’ll want to know that they are deserving of that trust.

Before handing over the keys and responsibility for your business to an external keyholding company you’ll want to know that they and their staff are dependable, reliable and honest. Accreditations by professional bodies do just that. As well as validating the quality of a security provider, they also provide a stringent set of criteria by which their members must abide, providing you with total peace of mind.

What is SIA Approved Contractor Status?

Responsible for regulating the private security industry, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) is an independent body who report to the Home Secretary under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001.

The SIA have two main duties. To undertake the compulsory licensing of ALL individuals undertaking designated activities within the private security industry, and to manage the Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS).

A voluntary scheme, the ACS assess Security Contractors against 89 individual indicators of achievement, designed to ‘help protect society by collaboratively developing and achieving high standards in the private security industry’.

What to look for when choosing a security company?

Accredited contractors can display the SIA logo on their websites and marketing literature. As well as this, they should be able to explain to you the benefits associated with this accreditation and what it represents. Have a chat with them and see what being accredited means to them, and how it can benefit your business – it’ll also help you to gain an understanding of the organisation’s work ethos and philosophy.

The simplest way to see if a security provider is SIA approved is to use the online SIA database checker.

What are the benefits of using an SIA approved contractor?

  • By using an SIA approved contractor you can be reassured that the contractor:
  • Employs fully trained and properly vetted staff
  • Has been extensively assessed in respect of quality and best practices
  • Is committed to customer service
  • Will provide a service customised to your needs
  • Can work with the police, businesses and the local community through ‘joined-up’ working relationships

What other security accreditations should I look out for?

As well as the Approved Contractor Scheme, companies can be accredited by the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) and the National Security Inspectorate (NSI).

Are Abbey Security Services Ltd accredited?

As East Anglia’s largest independent, professional security guard company, Abbey Security embrace the quality standards set by accreditation bodies and aim to exceed them.

We’re accredited by the British Security Industry Association (BSIA); the National Security Inspectorate (NSI); the SIA Approved Contractor Status; and ISO 9001:2008 standard.

If you’re looking for a security service in the Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge, Newmarket, Stowmarket and Thetford area, you can be assured that Abbey Security Services Ltd is one of the finest. We have the accreditations to prove it.


Read More

‘Top Safety Accreditation for Abbey Security’ »

‘The SIA: Officer licensing and Approved Contractors’ »


Posted on June 19, 2017

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