AGS a Finalist in the Mayor's Business Awards 2013 in the Customer Care Category...

AGS were delighted to be nominated for a Customer Care Award in the Mayor's Business Awards 2013 in association with the Lynn News.

Jay and Danny attended the glamorous ceremony held in the King's Lynn Corn Exchange on Friday 7th March.


The three finalists for the award were AGS, Russen and Turner and Vida Healthcare.

We were delighted to be a finalist in the category but were happy to be runner up to such a worthy winner, Russen and Turner.

Fingers crossed we will be nominated in 2014 too!

TOP 10 SECURITY TIPS THIS CHRISTMAS

Well the festive season is upon us and we are all scraping together the last of the cash to get presents for loved ones. Your cupboards are probably already bulging with gifts of all shapes and sizes...and values!


The season of goodwill and merriment should be just that...sadly it is also a criminals opportunist time to get their hands on your newly purchased or opened gifts. 

AGS have put together the following Top 10 Tips to have a Secure Christmas.

1. WATCH YOUR RUBBISH - Your bins will be bulging with wrapping paper, envelopes and food waste. But, think about what you leave laying around outside. Just bought your partner a new top of the range tablet or 50" Smart 3D TV? Don't leave the box outside - you are basically advertising what you have to an opportunist burglar!

2. ON YOUR BIKE - Just bought the kiddies a new bike? Did you know, each bike has a serial number/frame number unique to that bike? A good rule of thumb, register it on the Immobilise database, in case it is stolen. Why not visit the police for a postcode stamp too. Take the kids with you - this is a great lesson in security. If it is stolen or suspiciously identified on a patrol, the police could get it back to you!

3. LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE - Going away for Christmas? Is your home secure? Why not invest in a motion sensor flood light to secure your home. A great deterrent, no burglar wants to be in the spotlight! Also, timed lights within the home can give the illusion that people are moving around the house.

4. BE ALARMED - Have you ever considered a burglar alarm. Many people think this is a costly addition to their home...do your research. You will be surprised!

5. SHED LOAD OF LOCKS - When was the last time you checked the padlocks/locks/windows on your shed? A common mistake by many homes. You add additional, expensive items to your home but never assess the risk of where you are placing them!

6. GO GADGET, GO - New gadgets? Smartphone? Tablet? Have you got them insured? Through most mobile phone companies this will be available at a good rate. If not, there are plenty of gadget insurers who provide an excellent package at good rates.

7. 'INSURE' YOU ARE READY - You have a cupboard/shed/loft filled with hundreds of pounds of new items to give to the loved ones. When was the last time you checked your contents insurance? Do you know the value of contents that are covered? Are smaller items such as tablets, jewellery and such included? Good time to check? Just because they are hidden it doesn't mean they won't be found!

8. SOCIAL ADVERTISER? - Got a Facebook and Twitter account? Love to tell everyone your are going to Uncle Fred's for Christmas? You could be advertising your empty home to burglars in your area. Keep your social media updates safe....think ahead. Don't tag your entire household in a location that is not your home!

9. SEE THROUGH WINDOWS! - 30% of burglaries in the home, and businesses, happen due to a lack of window security. Install deadlocks, check for cracks in the glass, dodgy hinges or damaged wooden frames.  

10. HERE'S THE KEY - You may think you have the perfect hiding place for a spare key...you don't! Thieves know just where to look. They have seen it all. Give a spare key to someone close to home...don't stick it under the rock in the rockery, on a string behind the letterbox, inside light fittings or under the mat. 

Please have a safe and secure Christmas...don't give any reason for it not to be!

HOW AGS CAN HELP WITH THE PIG THEFT INCREASE IN RURAL NORFOLK...

AGS have been following the recent news, and ongoing since 2011, relating to pig thefts in rural Norfolk and surrounding counties. We have since been working with pig farmers to help them to find ways to protect their livestock.

Our initial interest came after this story, featured in the Lynn News...

http://www.lynnnews.co.uk/news/crime/warning-to-shoppers-after-127-pigs-were-stolen-from-gayton-1-5160646

AGS operate a mobile security patrol in most West Norfolk towns and villages, as well as Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire. AGS patrol guards are trained to identify suspicious activity and work closely with our client to identify criminals and inform the local police.

Farmers, especially in the current climate, are struggling to maintain the business of previous years and have limited funds for additional security. However, the mobile patrol services have proved, and will continue to prove, their value as a proactive way to prevent further thefts in the future.

For more information visit the website www.advancedguards.co.uk or call 01553 768585 for more information on how we may help you to prevent further incidents of this nature.

'BODY SLAMMING' "BOUNCER" HANDS HIMSELF IN...BUT IS NOT ARRESTED

Following on from the earlier post, nightclub door supervisor (let's drop the stigma again!) Lewis Barrow – a mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter – handed himself into police after the YouTube video was such a web hit.

So far no criminal charge has been placed on Barrow, but investigations continue by the local constabulary. 

Barrow has been removed from Idols, the venue where the incident happens. According to reports, his SIA license has been revoked to allow for additional investigations to continue.

According to reports, this is out of character for Barrow. But, the evidence speaks for itself and continues to highlight that the need for stricter controls over the Door Supervisors selected for venues is required. 

KLFM96.7 NEWS FEATURES AGS WINTER SECURITY TIPS...

We are delighted that our tips, featured below, have stirred up some interest, especially with local Sony Award Winning, King's Lynn radio station, KLFM96.7.

I did an brief interview with them this morning and we have been featured on this afternoon's news bulletins.

Take a listen! 

DARKNESS COMES EARLIER FROM SUNDAY 27TH OCTOBER - BE SECURITY AWARE...

With Halloween and Bonfire Night nearly upon us it also means an extra hour in bed, when the clocks change from Sunday, 27th October 2013.

Now is the time not to be complacent about security. According to research conducted into the rise in crime and claims on insurance at this time, Norfolk suffered a 19% increase in crime.   

Are you security aware...?

Whilst most of us look forward to the extra hour in bed, an opportunist criminal is plotting an extra hour of unplanned thefts - could you be the next target? 

AGS have put together some points to consider as we head into the months of shorter days and early dark nights...

• Make sure it appears that someone is in - whether at home or at the office. Especially if you leave earlier than normal

• Ensure you lock EVERY door AND window. Use secure locks. A small window is a large opportunity for a thief

• If you have a driveway; install a gate and secure it. Even when you are in, when pratical

• Look at your building as if you were planning to break in....how easy is it? Make notes and share these with people in the building and formulate a plan to improve your security

• Create a "Close Down Procedure" for your business; share a procedure checklist with all key holders who will potentially lock down your business. Include all windows, doors, alarm systems, side gates, main gate and so on. Why not think about whether to randomise a light to leave on each night to confuse observant criminals? Get consultation from a professional company 

• Review your Key Holder procedures. Is the primary key holder closest and the most appropriate? Could you benefit from external company support to protect employees?

• Ensure your alarm system is linked to the response centre and is functioning correctly. What is your up-to-date key holder list? Are you police linked? Do your key holders know the procedure? Have you reviewed your alarm response system with your security company? Consider looking at a professional alarm response service.

• CCTV; do you have CCTV? When was it last reviewed? Are you recording 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Is it angled to suit any recent changes to business activity? Have you considered getting a professional external review to see if this is the best system for your premises?

• Don't leave valuables on show; This may seem like common sense, but is the biggest cause of opportunist thefts. It isn't necessarily what can be seen through a window...but think about the packaging it comes in. New computer boxes left outside in rubbish areas tells a thief there is a reason to enter!

There are a raft of proactive security measures you can take to prevent criminal activity towards your business. 

AGS provide the following services for local businesses, to assist you in preventing loss of stock and business...

• Security Guards - Larger businesses benefit from the luxury of night, or 24 hour security. AGS provide SIA trained and licensed security officers to businesses in the area. Moving to a security provider from in-house could save a business up to 22% on the cost of security. Ask for a free consultation to find out how.

• Emergency Guard Services - Although your business may not require security 24 hours a day, certain circumstances may require that additional security measures be taken in the short term. For instance; break down in alarm or CCTV systems, broken entry points (such as shutter doors) that cannot be immediately fixed or secured.

• Mobile Patrols - AGS offer a proactive, mobile security patrol across the area. Visiting premises at irregular intervals through the night, during dark hours. Find out more here

• Key Holder and Emergency Alarm Response Services - Why not protect your personnel and let AGS be your first responder key holder. Our trained and licensed SIA guards will attend, secure, liaise with police whilst your key holders remain safe and secure. Find out more here

• Lock and Unlock Services - Criminals will watch and get to know your company procedures very quickly. What time you open...what time you lock down. Why put a key holder at risk when our SIA guards could attend, secure or unsecure your premises on your behalf. The staff are then free to enter or leave the premises in the knowledge that they are safe. Find our more here

• Security Systems; Alarms, Access Points, CCTV - Time for a review? AGS can assist you. Find out more here

AGS is a professional, affordable solution to your security requirements. Why not visit the site and ask for a FREE consultation. It doesn't cost anything...but bad security systems could. 

REASONS TO BE WARY OF YOUR DOOR SUPERVISOR SUPPLIER…

A Newcastle clubber is being traced by police following a YouTube video posted online identified a “serious incident” involving the party goer and a bar door supervisor. 

The Metro, using the word “bouncer” proves what a disgrace this footage is showing an SIA licensed door supervisor viscously “body slamming” the reveller on the pavement outside the venue – worryingly watched by another colleague and cheered on by fellow clubbers.

As the industry still strives to combat the ongoing stigma surrounding door supervisors – this is a clear demonstration that proves it is essential to ensure you have the right company and the right team for your venue. Although, admittedly, we do not know the whole story of what happened in this incident – there is NO excusing the unnecessary level of violence used.

A word of advice…choose your team carefully, ensure you have briefed them on behaviour and professional standing, vet and CRB check every employee and don’t leave yourself open to professional destruction – something I am sure this employee's company is dealing with now. Do you really want over half a million YouTube hits because your door team did this? I know I wouldn’t! 

You can see the footage here. PLEASE BE AWARE – graphic footage.

View the Metro Story and Video - Click Here