The Needs & Benefits of Private Security in the Public Sector
In today’s world, having the right security measures in place is more important than ever.
While it’s normal to see private security services operating in a range of private environments like retail stores, industrial sites and commercial businesses, it’s also not uncommon to see these services in public sector settings.
At Omni Security, we’re a comprehensive security company that provides our services to customers in a whole host of environments – both private and public. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at when private security may be needed in the public sector and the benefits it brings.
Types of events that can benefit from private security
Typically, private security is required for private events and functions.
Some of the most common places where you’ll likely see private security services operating include:
- Music festivals and concerts
- Sporting events
- Fashion shows
- Charity galas
- Political conventions
- Commercial conferences
- Events with celebrities or VIPs in attendance
- And much more
In addition to these private events, public sector environments can also make use of private security.
What is the difference between public sector and private security?
Public sector security refers to any type of security that the state provides. Most obviously this is the police.
In contrast, private security is when a private business or organisation pays a security company for a service. Private security comes in a variety of guises, from manned guards to event security and much more. This can even include private security forces that constantly monitor the safety of high-net-worth individuals.
How can private security benefit the public sector?
In previous years, public sector security and private security were kept fairly separate. But in recent years the overlap has become more prevalent, as the police have had to navigate a myriad of challenges including budget cuts, a growing population and the changing nature of their role.
This means that public sector settings are increasingly turning to private security for support.
Some examples of where you’ll commonly see private security in a public setting include:
Private security for hospitals
Unfortunately, hospitals, and many other medical settings, have become something of a hotbed for violent crime in recent years.
In London alone over 1,000 incidents have been reported since 2022 and staff across the country often find themselves facing abuse, aggression and sometimes physical attacks from patients. With this in mind, private security is often required to protect staff.
Private security for education
Schools are busy environments full of people, and sometimes violence can occur. Whether it’s between pupils, external people gaining access to the school or even students attacking teachers, having security on site can diffuse these situations.
And with knife crime on the rise among young people like never before, it is perhaps more important than ever to invest in private security in schools and colleges.
Private security for local authorities
Local authorities often have large remits. From owning significant quantities of property to operating offices that the general public often visits, private security is often a good measure to ensure everyone is kept safe and protected.
Sometimes, local authorities will even host events and functions, so having event security may also be necessary.
At Omni Security, we can provide leading private security services for both public and private settings. All of our security personnel are SIA accredited and trained to the highest level, so you can always be sure you’re in the very best hands.
To find out more about our range of services, contact our team today.