A day in the life of a security officer
28/4/2005
Ted Lawrence, who lives locally in Havant has a job he really enjoys. Ted works for ADP Security Systems, which has recently been awarded a contract with Carisway Facilities Management to provide security services at The Boardwalk at Port Solent shopping and leisure centre. Ted is one of a team of security officers who operate over a 24/7 timetable to keep The Boardwalk at Port Solent as an enjoyable and safe venue for families and couples to shop, and spend an evening at a variety of restaurants or visit the six-screen cinema. Ted describes a typical 24-hour day at this unique venue.
“My working day starts when I clock on at The Boardwalk in the morning. The marina is always fascinating with the huge variety of sea going yachts and motor launches. My colleagues from the previous shift will spend the first half hour handing over to the new team. They’ll pass on details of any activities we have to pick up, then they’re on their way.
“Then I begin my patrols around The Boardwalk. We have to make sure that the customers are able to enjoy their time whether they are shopping, eating or being entertained. So checks behind the scenes are carried out to make sure that electricity, gas, water and other services are all working properly and that the entire site is clean and tidy. We check everything - lifts, lights, car parks, staircases and even trees to ensure no branches are likely to fall on unsuspecting visitors.
“The day continues with regular patrols and regular reporting in to make this a safe and enjoyable place to be.
“We also have to carry out daily radio checks to ensure our communications are in order and to be ready to hand over to the next shift.
“The character of The Boardwalk changes from a day-time atmosphere of special shops, business and leisure lunches followed by cream teas looking out on the marina, to one of evening activity with formal and informal eating out and entertainment. As darkness falls and the lighting all comes on, we have to check once again that all the lights are working and that the light-hearted activity with families and couples can continue.
“Later in the evening we make sure that taxis for cinema leavers are operating in an orderly fashion and this is not just for 10.30 or 11.00pm, but also for the late films finishing in the early hours. Later still we check all the premises are secure, with doors and windows tightly shut, and The Boardwalk comes to the end of another busy day.
“Yet there is another visitor still to be checked out: we always inspect the underground car park one last time and there is usually one occupant only – the local fox who pops in, checks us out too and then disappears for some well-earned peace and quiet – just like me.”
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