Modern security guarding involves CCTV, alarm systems, biometric scanner and any number of other AI powered technologies.
The concept of humans protecting their possessions and other humans, however, is one that goes back millennium there is much to learn about history of security guarding can be used by modern Manchester security companies to ensure they are being successful in meeting their fundamental obligations.
What is the history of security guarding?
Security guards and companies have become so common within society that most of us simply take their presence for granted and do not truly appreciate the role they play in keeping us safe.
In fact, if they do think about security guards at all, they probably believe that they are a pretty new concept, more common in recent times due to the rise in terrorist attacks following 9/11 and the underground bombings in London.
Whilst airport security has certainly increased since these devastating incidents, the idea of security guards themselves has been popular for many many years, and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. In fact, after the Covid-19 pandemic, security was one of the only industries to experience growth.
The very first record of humans protecting things goes right back to the caveman times, with cave drawings depicting human figures defending their livestock from threats, mainly animal predators and neighbouring communities. Whilst the threats posed may have changed in the generations since, the idea of humans being territorial and protecting goods and each other has remained strong.
Of course, all the major civilisations throughout time, from the Egyptians to the Romans and later the British empire have featured private security officers tasked with keeping their superiors safe. They weren’t called security guards, although Praetorian Guards were tasked with protecting Roman generals as far back as the 2nd century BC, but their main goal was essentially the same.
In Ancient Greece, there was a very complex system developed of security ‘guards’ who were designated to protecting not only high profile officials but also the roads that led to their cities, one of the first instances of security forces protecting infrastructure.
Rome followed suit with similar tasks designated to individuals for the protection of their Government officials and their cities.
Security in the UK
Security guarding in the UK might not be quite as old as ancient Greece but it has still been a fundamental part of society for a pretty long time.
As far back as the 13th century, UK citizens where given the right to perform citizens arrests and obligated to assist with the apprehension of criminals if the sheriff decreed it. Gates were also installed on many of the towns and cities across the nation which were manned by patrolling guards tasked with protecting the people inside the walls. There responsibilities included controlling who was allowed in and out, patrolling the exterior, and conducting night patrols looking out for any suspicious behaviour.
Google “security guard duties” and you will find that many of the duties of modern security guards remain almost exactly the same as these, all these centuries later.
Modern security developments
Security guarding has experienced perhaps its biggest change in the last millennium over the past 50 years or so as the industry, as with so many others, has been altered almost beyond recognition by the rise of technology.
Modern security retains the same primary objective of keeping people and property protected against external threats but the way in which this is achieved is markedly different.
Just some of the modern technologies that are used by modern professional security companies on a day to day basis to protect their clients include:
- CCTV – CCTV has become an incredibly important tool in the security guards arsenal, allowing them too keep an eye across a large area much more effectively that would ever have been possible through foot patrols alone. CCTV alone is a big deterrent to criminals, no to mention providing valuable evidence should an incident require police attention or end up in court.
- Alarm systems – Alarm systems have allowed property owners to keep their properties safe without having to hire 24/7 security guards, saving them money and giving them peace of mind that they will be alerted if anything crops up that requires their attention.
- Access control gates – Checking the identify of staff, visitors, and guests has never been easier than it is now with a variety of biometric access control technologies such as fingerprint scanners and eye retina scanners available on the market. This market alone is developing as a rapid rate having already progressed from the keypads and ID cards of yesteryear. Knowing who is on your property and when will help create a safe and secure environment to either live or work in.