Maintaining the Peace
What is a security guard?
Security guards are employed to protect property and people by deterring illegal or inappropriate behavior and keeping a look out for any potentially unsafe or illegal behavior before it occurs. They are commonly employed by banks, airports, shopping centers, pubs, night clubs, music festivals and many other venues. They are sometimes known as bouncers or crowd controllers.
Security guards usually wear a distinctive uniform, making them easily recognisable.
What powers do security guards have?
Security guards may look similar to police officers, but they do not have the same powers as the Police. They have the following powers:
- The power to prevent you from entering certain places. The owner or manager of any premises can decide who can enter and who cannot enter their premises, even if the premises is open to the public. The security guard acts on behalf of the owner or manager and, accordingly, can decide who may enter the premises.You may be refused entry where:
- You are banned or have become known as a troublemaker.
- You are intoxicated and/or behaving in a disorderly manner.
- The premises is too crowded or about to close.
- You look like you are carrying a weapon.
- You look disreputable or likely to cause trouble.
- The power to require you to produce identification in venues that sell alcohol. Anyone under 30 can expect to be carded before being served alcohol.
- The power to remove you from a premises. If a security guard asks you to leave a premises you must leave. They have the power to escort you from the premises using ‘reasonable’ force. If you refuse to leave when asked, you can be charged with trespassing.
- If you are found trespassing on premises or enclosed land, a security guard can ask you for your name and address. If you refuse or give a false name you can be charged.
- The power to make a citizen’s arrest of any person they reasonably suspect to have committed an offence or to be doing any act that involves or looks like it may involve violence or a breach of the peace. Having made a citizen’s arrest, a security guard may detain you using reasonable force for such time as is reasonably necessary for the Police to arrive. Alternatively, they may take you to a police officer.
