Managing hotel security is a balancing act. A visible security presence provides guests with reassurance that both they, and their possessions, are safe during their stay. On the other hand, guests want to relax and enjoy their stay and not be made to feel nervous or oppressed by the security measures in place.
Security in hotels, particularly in the UKs capital and major cities, has recently come under scrutiny after a spate of terror attacks and threats.
Viewed as potential targets, hotels should be seeking to exercise increased vigilance and existing measures reviewed and bolstered if necessary,
explains Yair Daren, Head of Security Risk Specialists (SRS).
We know that tourism to London has been affected with many guests cancelling their planned summer trips.
The New York Times even ran an article, How to Travel Safely and Keep Calm where it described the “steady drumbeat of terrorist attacks targeting tourist attractions and events” being an “anxiety-provoking proposition”.
The article goes on to question, “Given the environment, is travelling safe and even worth it?”
Specialist security must therefore be put in place. Hotels provide a complex security challenge. The space is large, holds a high volume of people yet due to being extremely client focused they offer free access to most areas; excluding bedrooms.
SRS provides a unique mix of Israeli protection with British manners. Daren himself has operational expertise with counter-terrorism, protecting physical facilities, protecting diplomatic staff and high profile individuals and is a former Army Officer. All SRS guards are therefore trained to react in a professional manner using minimum force on the one hand, while also providing excellent customer services to our clients. On top of the standard SIA Training, additional training is given teaching Israeli Krav Maga and also self-defence techniques.
There are also numerous high profile examples of breaches in hotel security, proving nobody is immune.
Reality star, Kim Kardashian, was held at gunpoint at Hôtel de Pourtalès in Paris and claims over $10m in jewellery was taken.
Eight men and a woman are currently in high-security prisons after being caught thanks to a combination of DNA and CCTV evidence.
CCTV is one area of hotel security where the latest technology has had a real impact. The free Wi-Fi that some hotels are now offering, as standard, also means those hotels can position their cameras in locations that have traditionally been hard to reach for hard-wired systems. As long as the network antennas are set up to transmit to a chosen far-flung location, such as the back of a car park, a camera can be installed and in the event of an incident. Digital images are also far easier to search through than traditional CCTV recordings.
Daren continues,
SRS, unlike other companies, is able to offer a complete security service. Our CCTV installers not only assess the site but provide cutting edge equipment, all installed out of reach and ready to record. We are sensitive to the desire for hotels to have discreetly fitted cameras and to conceal the cameras as much as possible and allow guests to be care-free on their travels.
Drug taking and prostitution are also common problems faced by hotels. Prostitutes sitting in a hotel bar is not in itself illegal so guards must have experience in profiling guests and dealing with tricky situations sensitively and calmly.
Corporate and Hotel environments command a specific set of skills from those working in this area.
As a reputable provider of security door supervisors in London, we make sure that we live up to the expectations of the Corporate and Hotel clients demand. Our staff are our biggest asset and we therefore make sure that we provide tailor-made training to our personnel while also continuously testing them and rewarding displays of excellent performance. We train and deploy teams for Front of House positions in London Hotels, Corporate Office Environments, Department stores, Shopping centres, providing 24/7 security guarding and concierge services across and throughout London.
Daren explains.
In short, to provide a comprehensive security solution for hotels you must understand the unique set of challenges, and with this needs to come a bespoke plan for guests, and staff alike, to feel secure and happy in their environment.
[su_button url=”https://www.bookmundi.com/t/top-travel-safety-tips-for-all-travelers” target=”blank” style=”flat” background=”#F0ECED” color=”#FFFFFF” size=”6″ wide=”no” center=”no” radius=”0″ icon=”” icon_color=”#FFFFFF” text_shadow=”none” desc=”” onclick=”” rel=”” title=”” id=”” class=””]Top Travel Safety Tips for 2018[/su_button]
[call_to_action_bar title=”TO DISCUSS YOUR HOTEL NEEDS OR TO ARRANGE A FREE SITE ASSESSMENT CALL SRS – 020 3004 4189 ” buttontext=”Contact Us” buttonurl=”/contact/” buttonnewwindow=”false” /]
