CCTV VS Manned Guarding: Which Is Better?
Region Security Guarding Ltd
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Written by?regionadmin
18th April 2023
CCTV VS Manned Guarding
When guarding an important area, like a bank, there are generally two forms of security measures installed, CCTV cameras and?security guards.
CCTV cameras are installed around a business and the footage is looked at regularly to ensure the premise is free from crime. In comparison manned guarding involves guards continually monitoring and being on-site to deal with any incidents of illegal behaviour.
Although both are excellent security measures to use, a lot of people are wondering which is better. In today’s article, we will be comparing them both and deciding which is better, CCTV or manned guarding.
Advantages Of Manned Guarding Over CCTV
Many businesses will choose to employ manned guarding to protect their business.?According to?Statista, there were roughly 218,200 security officers working in the UK. Below, we have listed some of the benefits of having a?security guard?protecting your site or property.?
1. Quicker On-Sight Response
Since the guards are always physically present on the site, it allows for a quicker response to any stimulus, which in most cases is in the form of criminals entering the premises. The guards can collaborate and act on the spot, without having to wait for anyone.
In comparison, CCTV guarding involves sending a notice to the nearest police station, or to the guards who are in their cabins. It takes them some time to reach the scene, which in some cases is enough time for the criminals to escape.
2. Criminals Will Have Second Thoughts
It is a known fact that security guards can?reduce crime?by simply their presence. When criminals try to enter a premises but see guards everywhere, they will undoubtedly have second thoughts.
The reason they have second thoughts is mainly that they get intimidated by heavy guarding, or they assume that it is in collaboration with CCTV. That, in turn, proves to be a nightmare for the criminals.
3. Fewer Chances of Successful Escape
We have discussed that in CCTV guarding criminals may have a higher chance of escaping successfully. This is because of the slower response time.
However, those chances are significantly diminished in manned guarding. Even if the criminals have an upper hand, the guards can have them detained or stopped till backup arrives.
Therefore, reducing their chances of escaping and completing their criminal activity.
In CCTV guarding, on the other hand, the place is open for criminals, and there is nothing to hold them off unless there is an automatic trapping mechanism that will close the escape routes for them.
Advantages Of CCTV Over Manned Guarding
According to?Calipsa, back in 2020, there were at least 5.2 million security guards installed throughout the UK.
CCTV monitoring?systems will be installed to protect both businesses and homeowners. Below, we have listed some of the?benefits of security cameras.
?1. Greater Coverage Of The Area
The cameras can be installed everywhere, including in places where it is difficult for people to be. This maximum coverage reduces the space for criminals to go unnoticed and sneak in and out.
Whereas there is a limit to what area manned guards can cover. Guards may have to patrol a whole site which could leave some areas open for criminals.
?2. Less Manpower Required
Just a few people would be sufficient to cover all the areas when the CCTV guarding method is used.
That is because they must look through the screen mainly, and there is no reason for you to have 1 guard for every screen. Therefore, just one person can cover multiple areas.
However, you may want to make use of more guards for greater security and less pressure on the employees.
?3. Facial Records Of Escaped Criminals
Let us assume that the criminals have successfully escaped. In such a case there is a high probability that the guard will forget how the individual looks or the vehicle, its number, or the direction the criminals sped off to.
However, with CCTV all the footage is recorded and saved.
Even if the guards failed to capture some details in their minds, the footage can be seen to look for more clues for the police. Moreover, this can also be used as concrete evidence against criminals in court.
?4. More Efficient Overall Response
?Manned guarding allows for a better on-sight response. However, CCTV allows for better overall response, despite its drawbacks in many domains.
If CCTV guarding is facilitated by manned guarding, you have the perfect guarding mechanism right at your disposal. The probability of success for the criminals diminishes significantly and the premises and the people within it are largely safe.
CCTV VS Security Guards
As you can see, there are both advantages and disadvantages to both types of guarding. Both cameras and guards will be able to stop criminals and review different areas of your site.
However, security guards are beneficial as they will provide your business with a physical security presence and they can undertake additional duties such as helping customers.
While?CCTV security, such as cameras, are effective for any business as they can monitor areas that guards can’t patrol and they can be used as evidence if an incident does take place.
We recommend that the best form of guarding for anyone would be to use a hybrid mix of both CCTV and manned guarding.
Which is where you employ and install both guards and cameras around your business. However, if your budget is limited, you may want to go for CCTV, and have at least one guard on site.
To keep updated with the latest?CCTV?and?security guard?news. Check out our blog where you can find articles about?CCTV installation tips?and how to?become a security guard.