Flash Poll of Over 2,000 Night Time Economy Businesses across the UK Security Sector only able to supply 70% of Security resource to NTE & Hospitality Businesses Over 50% of Businesses within NTE & Hospitality are being affected by the shortages upto 20% of businesses are closing or having to operate reduced hours due to License
Flash Poll of UK Door Security Association Security Operator Members *Currently Operating at 75% of Pre Covid Security Resource Levels Replenishment and Attrition rate of -12.5% showing a negative replenishment position against new operatives coming onboard.
Michael Kill, CEO NTIA told LondonLovesBusiness.com, “Licensed security operatives are fundamental to public safety within the night time economy business settings and over the last 3 years we have seen a slow decrease in security resources which has been exacerbated since the start of the pandemic with the closure of the Night Time Economy.”
“The current resource levels depicted by the results above show a very clear issue which will, if ignored, culminate in a weakness in frontline security, compromising businesses and staff across the country. The Government must intervene and support the regulator and the sector to reach a short and long term strategy to resolve the ongoing issues which will affect businesses across the UK.”
The door security sector is a key part of the night time economy, hospitality and events sector and has become pivotal in the delivery of the Public Health Strategy within these settings, but the industry is facing a stark reality with licensed security resources reducing over the last 18 months due to displacement, Brexit and environmental issues surrounding the sector.
The impact of this on businesses has been hugely challenging, with the sector operating with only 75% of pre-covid resource, and the industry attempting to rebuild a lost workforce, it needs to ensure that the workforce has job security to start to turn the tide of negative attrition.
Over 50% of Businesses across the industry are being affected directly by security shortages with up to 20% of businesses closing or reducing hours due to licensing conditions, with a requirement for security resources to be on site for specific periods of trade.
The Security sector is suffering from a resurgence in black market cash payments for security operators, undervaluing the voluntary accreditation schemes presented by the Security Regulator as part of the Private Security Act.
With this comes a lack of quality assurance, compromising public safety and the very premise the industry has fought so hard for over the last 20 years, the professionalism of an industry.
The security sector is aware of the part it plays within the short and long terms goals, and operators have worked closely with the supply chain to resolve issues collaboratively, but issues still remain which will need higher level conversations to take place as there is a clear disconnect between operators and key stakeholders and regulators across the sector.
At this stage a collective approach is the only way forward, we all have a responsibility to the sustainability of the security industry and the attributory businesses that this sector is responsible for protecting.
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