Our keyholding security officers are extensively trained, SIA licensed and undergo a rigorous development program to ensure the quality of the Proficient Security keyholding service.

Our experienced security operatives are SIA licensed and trained in dealing with incidents where intruders may still be on site. We also work with you, the client to agree on a set of protocols and procedures that are initiated the moment our security team arrive on-site following the detection of an intrusion. Their actions will be specifically designed for your site and your business.

With UK wide coverage we have keyholding security operatives that can respond quickly to any intrusion detected on your construction site. Our national reach means we don’t subcontract out work to local companies and your site will only be attended by experienced and extensively trained Proficient Security keyholders.

Some construction site managers opt to nominate a member of staff as designated keyholder. Considering the cost of keyholding is typically around £1 a day this option saves little money and when you consider the downsides of this option, is very much a false economy.

In our experience, the likelihood of a site employee providing the same level of service as a qualified keyholder is remote and given the high value of equipment/assets and materials on-site, any failure to do the following can result in significant loss of money and time.

One of the main responsibilities keyholding involves is opening and closing the business or, locking and unlocking the property. Upon opening up the premises, the keyholder should inspect the property, deactivate the security system and switch on lights. When closing the property, it is the keyholder’s responsibility to do the same process in reverse, activating the security system and ensuring the premises is secure and locked.

Keyholding, naturally, will involve the protection of the keys 24 hours a day. They will also need to know the security code(s) for the alarm(s) and the keyholder must keep this information in the same place as the keys. If you were to hire an external security company to take on the keyholding role, you can be assured that protecting the keys would be dealt with professionally and securely at all times.

As they can reset the alarm system, keyholders are often entrusted to be an emergency contact for the local police or a private security firm that monitors the property. This must be taken into consideration when selecting the right person for a keyholding position. They must be available, responsible and practical.

Each year the construction industry in the UK is victim to approximately £800 million of losses thanks to vandalism and theft, according to a report from insurers Allianz Cornhill.

Their study shows that these huge losses are derived mostly from the costs of hiring replacement items, replacing those same items, business lost as a result, and increases in premiums from insurance companies.

The Chartered Institute of Building’s 2016 study on Crime in the Construction Industry reports that, of the 1,100 professionals surveyed from the construction sector, 21% had suffered theft the week they were surveyed. If that wasn’t bad enough, a massive 92% reported that they suffered from theft on an annual basis, with many experiencing it on a weekly or monthly basis!

Reported in the same CIOB study, 91% or participants surveyed stated that they had been the victims of vandalism. Fences and locks may put off the casual intruder, but to deter hardened criminals and prevent serious equipment damage, a CCTV Tower is essential.