General Questions

Where Are You Located?

Our Headquarters building which houses all our Operational, Finance and Admin support personnel, is based in London EC1. Our bespoke Training Centre which also accommodates our Human Resources, Recruitment, Screening, Licensing and Business Development Departments, is situated a 5 minute walk away on Pentonville Road, N1.

Who Owns You?

In July 2006 First Security became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Interserve Plc, the services, maintenance and building group listed in the FTSE 250 on the London Stock Exchange.

Where does First Security fit in Interserve plc?

First Security is the largest of Interserve plc’s three security companies. The other two are Interserve Security Limited and R&D Security Limited. R&D Security is the electronics security company that provides specialist support to both First Security and Interserve Security. Each company has a distinctive mission, branding and ‘operations’ structure. There is also an events division, Attlaw Events that sits within Interserve Security.

To Which Quality Standards Are You Assessed?

We are assessed to the latest Standard - ISO 9001:2000. Furthermore, we were awarded the NSI Guarding Gold medal in March 2004.

Are You a Member Of Any Trade Associations?

Yes, we are members of:

 - The British Security Industry Association (BSIA)
 - SafeContractor

Additionally, various First Security employees hold membership of The London Chamber of Commerce and City of London Crime Prevention Association.

What Services Do You Provide?

We specialise in the provision of high calibre security personnel and “front of house” Receptionists. However, we also provide security trained Support Personnel e.g. Post Room Operatives, Telephonists and Community / Street Wardens. Additionally, we have a stand alone Mobile Patrol & Keyholding division and a "Specialist Services" division. For more information on the services we provide please click here.

Which geographical areas do you specialise in?

Our specialised areas of operation are London and the Thames Valley. When our operations do extend beyond central London, it is nearly always at a client’s request and in support of a facility that they may have in another location. When this happens we find Interserve’s national capability helpful in maintaining the levels of service that our clients have come to expect from First Security in London, especially as the activities of all three companies, First Security, Interserve Security and R&D Security, are co-ordinated by a management board.

Who Are Your Clients?

Our Contract portfolio incorporates a broad spectrum of organisations / premises, many of which are well known names / landmark buildings, where an exceptionally high standard of service is demanded.

How Many Personnel Do You Employ?

We currently employ over 2,000 security personnel and 80+ Headquarters staff.

To What Standard Do You Screen Your Personnel?

All First Security personnel are screened in accordance with BS7858:2006 and in accordance with the requirements for SIA Licensing.
First Security staff benefit from a personal development programme offering access to a comprehensive range of training courses including the Security Practitioner Qualification . Ambitious personnel can take advantage of our unique management development programme based on recognised national standards accredited by the Chartered Management Institute.

To What Standard Do You Train Your Personnel?

All personnel are trained in accordance with the requirements of BS7499 and SIA licensing. This includes attendance at our 4 day inhouse Induction course and successful completion of prior onsite training shifts at the contract they are assigned to. Any additional / specialised training, is tailored to the specification of each individual Client

Where Is Your Communications Centre?

Our modern Communications Centre is located within our Headquarters in London, EC1. It is fully computerised (TimeGate) and is manned by 2 Controllers, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Additionally, a Headquarters based Shift Manager is on duty 24 hours a day 7 days a week and a Control Room Manager is in situ Monday to Friday.

Where Is Your Scheduling/Rostering Centre?

Scheduling is also based within our Headquarters in London EC1. Operational 7 days a week, it is manned by a team of three - 1 Scheduling Manager and 2 Schedulers.

What Happens If A Client Or Security Officer Needs To Contact You During The Night?

As stated above (under Communications Centre), we have a Headquarters based Shift Manager on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Consequently, a responsible decision maker is always available.

What Differentiates You From Your Competitors?

Feedback gained from our Clients includes the following: * Our commitment to service excellence and customer care

* Our thorough risk assessments based on understanding and knowledge of security and appreciation of relevant threats and vulnerabilities
* Our robust, carefully designed, closely monitored, processes – our Business Management System
* Our attention to detail, by design and in delivery
* Our rigorous recruitment and selection procedures
* Our high quality training of our staff - basic/induction, deployment-specific, and professional development
* Our staff retention record
* Our caring, capable, demanding, professional leadership
* Our client retention record

How would you summarise First Security’s service?

First Security is widely acknowledged as London's Number 1 provider of high-calibre security personnel.

Established in 1987, we have gained our market leading position through our commitment to quality, professional approach and dedication to “getting it right”

Specialists in manned guarding and complementary services, we are able to provide a broad range of security services.

Our Client portfolio is exceptional and contains a myriad of prestigious names throughout a broad spectrum of organisations.

Our Headquarters support staff are recognised as being among the best in the Industry.

Above average pay rates, balanced out by realistic charge rates, results in excellent value for money for our Clients.

The emphasis we place on staff welfare produces one of the Industry’s lowest staff turnover figures.

Operating a "promotion from within" policy, supported by an industry-leading management development programme guarantees our people a career path that is second to none.

Pro-active and innovative, we are also extremely reactive, which means any issue receives immediate attention and rapid resolution

I Would Like A Quotation From First Security. Who Should I Contact?

For all static positions (Security Officers and Receptionists etc) please telephone 020 7837 5424 and ask for Sales.  Alternatively, you can e-mail: sales@first-security.co.uk

For a Mobile Patrol and / or Keyholding quotation, please telephone 020 7837 5424 and ask for Robbie Hollingsworth (Business Development Manager - Mobiles & Keyholding).  Alternatively, you can e-mail Robbie at: at robbie.hollingsworth@first-security.co.uk