Finding the right company to provide security services for your company is a huge decision to make, and not one you want to make lightly.

Each and every Newcastle business is different with its own unique threats that must be managed and security requirements that must be met. The perfect security company Newcastle will use their local knowledge and extensive knowledge and skills to do all this and more, keeping your staff, assets, and property fully protected at all times.

So how exactly do you go about finding such a company? With so many options available and the full-time responsibility of managing your business to worry about, the research involved in finding the right security firm can be a daunting one.

To help make the whole process significantly more straightforward, here are 10 of the biggest tips to consider when searching for the right security company.

1)    What are their reviews like?

There is no better way to get an idea of what a security company is like to work with than to read the reviews of their previous clients.

Like everything else, nowadays the best place to start when looking for reviews is online, however, you might be better off speaking to some of your fellow local businesses, asking them about their experienced with their own security company and whether they would recommend them.

2)    Are they properly insured?

In order to perform security guarding services in the UK, security personnel must hold a valid SIA licence.

The SIA is the industry regulator for private security and ensure that all officers hold the required skills and maintain a high standard of work at all times.

Your first port of call for any security company search should be the SIA website, where you will find a catalogue of SIA accredited companies in your area.

3)    Do they have experience in your industry?

A security firm may have a fantastic reputation and hold all the licenses and accreditations that you could possibly think of, but if they have never worked in your industry before, they may not be the right fit for your needs.

When consulting with a security company, ask them about the specific security needs they believe your company has and ensure that they offer all the services required to meet them.

4)    What additional skills do their officers possess?

All SIA licenced security guards will be trained in certain areas as standard including conflict resolution, crowd management, and more.

Any additional skills possessed by security guards, however, are a bonus, and may give a certain security firm the edge when you are making your final decision.

First aid experience, for example, is an incredibly valuable asset for a security guard to possess.

5)    How experienced are they?

Having undergone the required training for an SIA license will give a security guard all the skills required to perform a range of guarding duties. However, there is just nothing quite like years of field experience to hone their abilities.

If a security company has been in operation for many years, this is not a guarantee of competence, but they are clearly doing something right, and will have adapted and refined their services to provide the best possible service to their clients.

6)    What technologies do they provide?

Technology is an invaluable part of any modern security solution and security guards will work alongside CCTV, alarm systems, remote tracking tools, and more to maximise the effectiveness of their services.

If a security company offers such technologies alongside their guarding services, their staff will likely have a better knowledge of how to utilise them most effectively.

7)    How is their customer service?

If a security company can’t respond promptly and with a high degree of professionalism when dealing with a new potential client, this is a major reg flag for what they will be like to work with long term.

It not only suggests poor customer service but also that you are not a priority as a client. Steer well clear if you ever feel that you are not the number one focus of a security company’s attention.

8)    Are they happy to work with your staff?

Security officers should slip seamlessly into your team, building good relationships with your existing staff and working with them to promote best practice in terms of security, health, and safety.

9)    Do they offer flexible services?

You never know when your security requirements may change, and it is important that your security company’s services can adapt. Avoid entering into a fixed contract that has no room for future expansion or development.

10) How much do they charge?

Security services should be as cost-effective as possible but avoid choosing based purely on price and cheap services will only cost you in the long run.

Set a budget and look for security companies in Newcastle that fall into it whilst satisfying all of the criteria above.