Can Security Guards Touch You?

by jannoon028 – www.freepik.com

There’s a security guard, an authoritative figure watching to keep us safe. As law-abiding people, we yield to their power. Generally, we are compliant and wouldn’t question a security guard grabbing a suspect on the shoulder.

We’ve seen it in the movies. You can imagine the collared suspect and a dominant voice requesting, “please, come this way”.

Nevertheless, it is only natural to ask if security guards are allowed to touch you?

Lawful Touch

In the UK, security guards can touch you. But they have to do it lawfully. As it happens, our laws indicate inappropriate touching is a sexual assault. That means touching another person with any part of the body or anything else, even though clothing could be considered sexual assault under section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 – non-consensual offences.

Therefore, security guards must stay within and comply with these laws. As it is the case that security guards do not have any special powers. However, a security guard is licenced and regulated to provide manned guarding services. They train to stay within the law while securing people and assets.

In reality, a security guard will only touch somebody to prevent the suspect from fleeing, causing injury, loss or damage. That could also mean…

…Forcibly Restraining Someone

Under the Criminal Law Act 1967, Section 3, a person is entitled to use reasonable force to prevent or stop the crime. Naturally, that would mean a security guard can touch or grab the suspect. Only then can a security guard legally touch you.

With regards to this, security guards train in such situations. Their training helps them to react accurately. Then by making the correct decision, they will avoid prosecution attempts made against them.

Accordingly, you can put your trust in highly trained professionals. Choose a security guard service provider like Central Watch Security, which operates and trains staff consistently to manned guarding standards.

If you are looking for manned guarding services, then why not give us a call? Find out how we can secure your environment.