If security teams are going to prevent, handle or counter a threat in an efficient and effective fashion, they must be aware of the nature of that threat. Whether team members are involved in mobile patrolling or in-house, static security duties, they must be made fully aware of the different ways in which aggression and hostility are manifested in today’s frequently volatile society.
That being the case, they must understand not just the ways in which individuals or groups may try to breach security, but also how the potential aggressors might respond once they’re discovered or approached by alert security personnel. All-too-often, aggressors will react to being challenged by wielding some form of dangerous edged weapon.
In January, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith informed us all of the Government’s grand plans for airport-style security detection devices to be installed in schools across the country (see panel ‘Preparing to learn: cutting down on knife crime in schools’, p37). It’s hoped that measures like this will reduce the number of knife-related incidents, but the fact that this type of security measure has to be implemented in schools at all serves to illustrate a hugely important point. Knife culture continues to infiltrate our society, and the harsh reality – a reality that some would rather downplay – is that the UK does have a significant knife crime problem on its hands.
Viewing the threats
One subject that has caused a lot of concern is the threat of terrorism. A simple reason for this is that acts of terror often place a much greater number of lives at risk.
The destructive sphere can have a terrible impact. Along with the potential loss of life, there is usually damage to buildings and property. Entire industries can be affected.
Now, because of this genuine problem and incidents like the July 2005 attacks in London, it’s inevitable Security Departments will be that much more focused on the detection of potential explosive devices and suspicious packages. While many would agree that a tightening of the security ‘net’ is a good thing (if it prevents other incidents from taking place), we mustn’t ignore concurrent threats.
These other threats – including robbery or anti-social behaviour – might not always make the national headlines, but they can pose a serious danger to security teams. They’ll arise far more frequently in this country than acts of terrorism, with the assailants – whether involved in an organised raid or an act of shop theft – carrying some kind of weapon.
In the most serious incidents, this weapon will usually be a firearm or a blade.
The culture of the blade
The national media is sometimes criticised for the way it covers knife crime-related stories. There are even those who feel the severity of blade culture has been somewhat exaggerated.
Either way, operatives who have to carry out searches at the entrances to busy clubs or bars continue to find knives on certain individuals. Police personnel throughout the country are also more than familiar with the tendency among ‘street aggressors’ to carry a blade. In fairness to the national media, if it wasn’t for its hard-hitting coverage, members of the public would be less aware of the destructive trail being left behind by knife-related hostility.
As many criminologists readily appreciate, crime statistics aren’t always an accurate reflection of the number of incidents actually taking place. Those researching the Criminal Justice System – or, more precisely, exploring the relationship between criminal justice measures and their effects – have to take into account that a number of incidents are simply not being reported. In some cases, such as certain mugging incidents, the victim doesn’t report the crime out of a belief that it will not change what has happened. They suspect it will not make any difference when it comes to regaining their stolen items. Of course, there are other reasons on top of this.
Even within the security industry, it’s possible that some personnel don’t always report blade-related incidents. Fortunately, with the Security Industry Authority (SIA) regulating security standards, it’s hoped that more security staff will adhere to the incident reporting requirements laid out.
Today, in various door supervisor courses, attendees are taught about the importance and necessity of incident reporting. As more incidents are recorded, it should further help to convey the risks personnel are exposed to in relation to knife attacks.
Shedding light on the problem
A tightening of operational procedures should certainly help to make incident reporting a much more thorough practise. At the same time, there are other ways in which it’s possible to shed light on the knife problem facing staff.
First, members of staff need to be reminded of the appropriate communication channels open to them. In this information technology-rich era, there are also various ways in which members of staff can gain information and learn about real knife incidents. There are numerous Security Forums, for example, where staff may interact with colleagues.
However, staff must be extremely careful with the information they share in public places (such as web site forums). They do need to check what legal responsibilities they must abide by in relation to the information they plan to share. Moreover, they must be fully aware of their company’s information disclosure policies. They also need to understand the effects any sharing of information might have on the company or a colleague. After all, employers will not be happy if staff reveal information that may jeopardise business prospects or deter potential customers.
It’s also worth mentioning that some of the information about blade culture may come from security personnel working in different parts of the world. Overseas, the nature of the threat can sometimes be different. In addition, the way in with which the threat is approached may differ due to a given country’s use of force legislation. For example, in some parts of the world, security staff may be given access to firearms or specialised, non-lethal weapons.
Different cultures, new reactions
Is it futile for security teams or training personnel to familiarise themselves with knife incidents which occur in foreign countries? Not necessarily. The UK is now a very culturally diverse and culturally dynamic place. Among those residing here are people from many different cultures. What this means is that, if a security team has to engage an individual in possession of a knife who is from an overseas region, that individual may respond or react quite differently.
For example, there may be language barriers that affect a security team’s ability to communicate with the individual. These language barriers may also make it difficult for the individual to communicate or comprehend a security team’s instructions.
Now, the UK has strict and justifiable laws which firmly convey the criminal justice system’s stance in regards to knife crime or knife possession. Although it’s expected that a person should be familiar with the laws of the country in which they reside, the reality is that this isn’t always the case.
There may be individuals who are somewhat unaware of the country’s laws relating to the carrying of knives. Moreover, in some cultures – particularly within certain Third World countries – individuals can be very fearful of police or security operatives.
A problem among the youth
There is one particular culture that has been closely aligned with knife-related incidents in the UK – today’s aggressive youth culture.
In many inner-city urban environments, knife crime often seems to be perpetrated by angry gangs of youths. It’s usually these crimes that attract the attention of the press. Members of the public find it disturbing when they realise that those of a young age are also capable of such vicious acts of violence.
Again, this isn’t media hype. There is a knife problem within certain youth cultures. The police are particularly aware of it. Police forces (including London’s Metropolitan Police Service) have launched various campaigns of late to deter youths from knife crime. Any measure that will limit the number of knife incidents will certainly assist security teams. That said, these teams must still understand the sudden way in which knife crime manifests itself within youth culture.
Fortunately, it seems that a large number of security professionals are aware of the risks posed by knife-related aggression. They realise the potential for harm and the destructive capabilities of the knife. As the press continues to draw peoples’ attention to the losses caused by knife-wielding gangs, security teams can become better prepared for incidents involving groups of youths.
The fact is that, in a modern society, aggressors can be of any age. A thirteen-year-old boy brandishing a knife must be treated with the same caution that would be afforded an adult aggressor because a blade gives that aggressor a number of tactical advantages.
At this stage, another factor needs to be acknowledged. Age, culture and emotional state might affect the way in which an aggressor behaves. The fact is an individual carrying a knife – even a person who demonstrates familiar patterns of behaviour – can still be very unpredictable in terms of movement, responses and dialogue. Awareness levels must be kept high, regardless of the aggressor’s build, age, state of mind or perceived capabilities.
The provision of adequate training and preparation should help the security industry to assist personnel in preventing (or better handling) volatile situations. As staff are given further access to training courses, they have a chance to interact with trainers and colleagues. They also have the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the nature of this threat.
When companies do take the time to provide appropriate training, it should show staff that their employers are making the effort to address their personal safety needs. If staff from the private security industry are given more chances to interact with law enforcement officers, this can also lead to a mutually beneficial sharing of knowledge and experience. That may also open further communication channels through which to pass on useful information. It may even assist in building stronger bridges between private sector and Government organisations.
Adequate training and preparation
Which type of security professional could be exposed to an edged weapon situation? Those involved in front line security duties such as door supervisors are certainly among those who may have to handle an aggressive, volatile scenario where weapons could be drawn.
Really, though, we must accept the fact that violence has the ability to manifest itself in many different strands of society, from shopping centres and private office premises through to railway stations and Accident and Emergency Departments.
With most edged weapons being mobile, easy-to-conceal instruments of aggression, they may be transported into almost any environment. That’s why they are such popular street weapons. On this basis, surely training in how to disengage and survive an edged weapon incident should be given to security operatives from various fields? Today, management level staff might also want to develop more awareness of the edged weapons problem and the risks facing their staff. In this way, they might be able to consider staff training options much more effectively.
Awareness, vigilance, communication
In terms of preparation for edged weapon incidents, certain qualities can be enhanced through training. These qualities – such as awareness, vigilance and good communication skills – may play a significant part as security professionals carry out their duties.
There’s a physical component to edged weapon training that also has to be addressed very carefully. The difficulty here is that different instructors have their own belief or approach to surviving an edged weapon encounter. There are many views as to how this type of aggression should be handled.
The other thing to realise is that instruction must go deeper than the assimilation of physical tactics. Staff need to be aware of the other factors that can come into play during an edged weapon incident. They must know the different ways an aggressor may launch an attack. Then there are the set-ups and deceptive ploys aggressors may use.
Another factor security companies may need to take into account when providing courses is that the physical component of training shouldn’t encourage a staff member to confront an assailant when there are safer, more appropriate options available.
