Can Security Guards Follow You?

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You get a feeling that someone is following you. A security guard is shadowing your every move. For some reason, they have identified you. Then you start to feel a little uncomfortable by the authority gazing over at you.

Now, it is only natural to ask if a security guard can follow you.

However, a smart-alec might claim they are being stalked. Unsavoury characters will give an attitude. But is there any justification for their claim and abuse?

When Being Followed Is Illegal

Stalking is illegal. It can include being followed or harassed by another person under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 in Section 2A.

The police and CPS have adopted the following description for stalking. “A pattern of unwanted, fixated and obsessive behaviour which is intrusive. It can include harassment that amounts to stalking or stalking that causes fear of violence or serious alarm or distress in the victim.”

Therefore, security guards have to justify their actions and stay within the same laws we all follow. As it happens, security guards do not have additional powers over the next person.

Nevertheless, security guards have the right to follow you if they believe you will commit a crime.

Legally Following To Prevent Crime

Typically, you can imagine security guards in a retail store. They might be moving around the shop floor and spot something that alerts their trained eye.

From then on, the security officer will watch for shifty behaviour. Should they continue to receive these signals, they will continue to monitor the situation.

In order to catch someone in the act, manned surveillance is necessary. Then your security service can act accordingly.

The same is true for other business sectors and residential security. A security guard will follow an unknown person/trespasser. They will stop them by blocking their way and ask questions. If they receive unsatisfactory answers, they will ask them to leave and escort them away.

Incidentally, experienced manned security officers train to handle these situations and many more. Their preparation and expertise enable them to perform at a high level. They consistently make good decisions to protect you, your people and your assets.

As such, you can be confident that you will receive an outstanding service. So 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.