Security was an industry once limited to nightclub bouncers and store security guards, but in the last decade or two it has quietly grown and diversified and now helps to support a significant chunk of public services. In fact, it has been called the UK’s fourth emergency service.
For an industry so important that it supports public services you would think that money would be pouring into it. Yet, for some workers in the industry, door supervisors for example, rates have remained static for the last two decades, which, in real terms, means they’ve effectively fallen. For a door supervisor to be eligible for work now he would first have to fork out for a licence costing £220, and the compulsory training course costing £145, and this is to receive an average pay rate of only £10 per hour.
Why this lack of regard for door security? Perhaps there is less risk to the job? No. In fact, the opposite is true. Door security are facing increased levels of personal risk, particularly as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic and its fallout, where angry people are taking out their frustrations of the placid doorman.
Perhaps the reason for the static rates of pay is because there are fewer responsibilities and therefore fewer costs associated with being a door supervisor and the industry feels his present job role doesn’t justify pay that is in line with inflation.
But this is clearly not the case. Security is becoming more vital in our society as violent crime increases and police numbers decline (There are currently 386,657 security licence holders in the UK and by comparison, about 146,000 police officers.) Karen Bermingham of the Security Industry Authority (SIA), a regulatory agency, said in The Guardian that the trade has become vital to tackling crime. “We’re the eyes and ears on the ground and we are spotting and reporting cases where, for instance, there is grooming. We’re kind of like an emergency service.”
Terrorist attacks, particularly the spate throughout 2017, emphasises the importance of security guards in protecting the public and preventing possible atrocities. And, as numbers of police officers reduce, private security guards are stepping into the breach, hired to fulfil the security role, and in some cases have been trained to support the National Crime Agency (NCA) and intelligence agencies in helping to solve crimes.
The expanding need for security not only covers roles previously carried out by the police and other public services but also many other additional functions that have resulted from our changing habits. Especially since the beginning of the pandemic, when increasing numbers of us are shopping online. This has led to an increase in the need to patrol the mammoth warehouses where retailers store their goods.
But whether they are neighbourhood wardens, hospital security guards, park wardens, shopping mall guards or train guards, we are relying on them more and more to keep us safe. So why are they not being suitably recompensed? They are after all, putting their lives at risk each and every day. The fact is that it is now harder to work as a security operative, and more costly, there is more legislation and the introduction of the S.I.A licensing scheme has meant that door supervisors have incurred increased costs at entry level.
So what are the reasons security guard pay rates have remained so static despite the increased responsibility on their shoulders with keeping us and our property safe?
The most obvious economic reasons why the pay rates have frozen (in reality decreased) and one which has had the most widespread impact is the introduction of security companies contracting with multiple site operators. The pub or club, for instance wants to reduce and standardise operating costs, and is reluctant to pay, particularly as security doesn’t directly make them money. The security company has to comply and/or undercut its competitors in order to stay in business. And if the employee doesn’t like the pay, the security company can easily find other personnel who will be happy to take what’s on offer. The companies may realise that this attracts the less reliable type of employee but are beholden to the site operator.
Had security companies not sprung up in the last 20 years, door supervisors would have negotiated better rates for themselves directly with the operators, but as it is, in some cases they are actually more poorly paid than bar and waiting staff who are paid on average up to £12.00 per hour with additional benefits such as tips, bonuses and discounted meals. And they have no licence requirement or compulsory training to add to costs.
With the rise in terrorist attacks and other violence, the decreasing responsibilities of the public services and changes to the public’s behaviour and habits, you would think that security is an important job and would be treated as such. Unfortunately, the rate of pay that security personnel is being paid is sending the message that it holds the same importance as menial jobs such as flipping burgers or washing dishes. One has to ask – who in their right mind would confront aggressive individuals or shoplifters while making such a paltry wage?