Can Security Guards Detain You?

by Racool studio – freepik.com

Security guards are employed to protect people and assets. Their authority seems to lay between the police and the general public. Therefore, it is reasonable to ask… are security guards allowed to detain you?

In the UK, security guards can detain you. Although, security guards do not have any more legal powers than the next person. That security guard filled area of jurisdiction between the police and the public is imaginary.

Law-Abiding Citizens Licenced to Guard

While manned guarding is a licenced and regulated service, our enforceable powers are the same as any other person. The difference is a security guard trains to operate within the law. Then they can legally provide a manned guarding service.

As such, under the Police & Criminal Evidence Act 1984: 24A – Arrest without warrant, you can be detained by security guards if they make a citizen’s arrest.

However, for a citizen’s arrest to be legal, a security guard must catch you committing an offence, suspect, with reasonable grounds, that you are in the act of committing an offence or have evidence that you have done so. Only then can you be detained.

When a security guard makes an arrest…

…they prevent the suspect from fleeing or causing injury, loss or damage. Usually, security officers will wait for the police to arrive and take responsibility.

But in some incidences, a security guard may forcibly restrain someone. As stated under the Criminal Law Act 1967, Section 3, a person is entitled to use reasonable force. That means they can use as much reasonable force to prevent or stop the crime.

Given the circumstances, security guards train to make the right call. On the other hand, if they make the wrong call, you could sue for assault or false imprisonment.

For this reason, always look for highly trained professionals when choosing a security guard service provider. Central Watch Security operates and train 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.