“The only thing I haven’t dealt with is murder. I’ve dealt with attempted murder, I’ve dealt with rape, I’ve given CPR four times, so I’ve had quite a wide range of incidents. Violent incidents, a lot of violent shoplifters.” – Mark (40), a retail security operative. 

“I’ve had guns pulled on me, I’ve seen someone get their arm cut off in front of me, whilst working, I’ve seen someone get stabbed, my colleagues have been stabbed.”- Adrian (38) a door supervisor. 

“For the people that have suffered attacks, having seen them, there comes a point when they just change, when that one was one too many, and they’re never the same as they were.” – Martin (43), CVT security operative. 

The following interviews formed part of a University of Portsmouth study, conducted in 2020, which revealed that thousands of UK-based security operatives are currently living with the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

The following year, ‘Working The Doors’ conducted the largest-ever study of violence against security personnel, finding that 57% of the 1224 active security operatives we questioned had suffered an incident that affected their mental state for more than 24 hours afterward. We learned that 48% of respondents had experienced nightmares or flashbacks following an incident on the doors. 

These experiences can be symptoms of PTSD. While an expert opinion would be needed to make a formal diagnosis, it seems fair to say that a considerable number of those questioned could very probably be living and working with this difficult condition. Coupled with the University of Portsmouth’s data, our study makes for very sobering reading indeed. 

In this feature, we will present the stark realities of security work in the UK, during a time when violence against security operatives is higher than it’s ever been, rates of pay are often low, and legal protection is virtually non-existent. We will highlight the problems being faced by those who presently work in the industry, and make a much-needed call for change. 

At present, there are over 488, 500 active SIA license users in the UK. Of these, almost 339,000 hold ‘Door Supervision’ licenses. The heavy responsibilities that go with this license include guarding a premises against crimes such as theft, vandalism, and even acts of terrorism, as well as the application of necessary first aid, the physical removal of unruly customers, and, most importantly, ensuring the safety of the British public. 

Britain’s night-time economy has an earning potential that has been estimated at around £60 Billion a year, making it an important aspect of the country’s overall economic performance. However, the night brings added risks, and, with police presence on UK streets being greatly diminished in recent years, it often falls to private security to protect, not only the night-time economy, but also (and to a greater extent than ever before) the public.

Sadly, the violence experienced by Britain’s security workforce is increasing. According to the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW), around 0.9 million violent offences were perpetrated in the year ending June 2023, a number comparable to that of the previous year. From this data, as well as our own studies and extensive interviews with active security operatives, it is possible to infer that UK-based security operatives are facing an unacceptable level of violence, but doing so without the legal protections and powers extended to police and emergency services personnel. 

The facts are clear, and undeniable; security work is exacting a heavy mental toll on those who earn a living from it. But what can be done to prevent this? Some would say that finding oneself in harm’s way is simply part and parcel of front-line security work. By its very nature, providing security is a dangerous business. However, even armed with this understanding, we find it necessary to ask what can, or should, be done to help Britain’s security workers? 

 In response to the rising tide of violent crime across the UK (itself attributable in no small part to years of austerity and police budget cuts), the government passed the Assaults on Emergency Workers Act (2018). The act effectively doubled the maximum sentence for people who would assault police officers, first responders, NHS staff, prison officers, and more. However, outside of hospital security personnel, security operatives were not included in this legislation. Working The Doors formally petitioned Parliament to amend this oversight (or to pass a ‘Security Workers Act’ instead), but these efforts were met with silence. 

It now falls upon us to paint a portrait of the modern security operative in the UK. Sadly, it is a somewhat grim picture. Subject to regular outbursts of physical or verbal abuse, spending long hours on their feet, and often working odd or inconsistent shifts, it is little wonder that depression and other mental health issues are on the rise in the security industry. 

In addition, rates of pay are relatively low, are certainly not in-line with inflation, and have fallen victim to the practice of ‘sub-sub contracting’, which dilutes them further. In addition, operatives usually pay for their own training, licensing, uniforms, and more. 

Each of these factors (and more besides) can affect a person’s mental and physical wellbeing. This, combined with the high responsibilities and expectations of the job, threatens to create a sort of ‘perfect storm’ for mental health issues to worsen or proliferate. 

According to some estimates, around 20% of people who experience a traumatic event will develop PTSD as a result. This could equate to as much as 10% of a population. For example, 1 in 10 people in the UK are expected to develop PTSD at some point in their lives. As we’ve seen, for security operatives, the numbers are much higher. 

The bad news doesn’t end there, however. The security industry in the UK (being around 89% male) appears to be a ‘hot bed’ for male depression. A majority of studies have found higher levels of depression in male-dominated workforce groups. Males and females often experience depression in different ways, with male depression being more likely to result in suicide. 

Regardless of sex or gender, security operatives are statistically likely to experience depression in their lifetimes. This fact alone should be cause for concern in everybody, not only on an empathetic or humanitarian level, but also when one considers that security operatives are directly responsible for the safety of so many and so much. 

The preceding facts expose, in unflinching terms, the mental health crisis currently facing the UK’s security workforce. The data points clearly and conclusively to an increased risk of self harm or suicide, together with an increased risk to the British public, if operatives are not fully protected and supported. 

The UK government needs to increase legal protections for security operatives across the nation, as well as allowing greater access to free or affordable mental health care as and when it is needed. In addition, existing legal requirements (such as door supervisors not being left to work alone) must be more strictly observed and adhered to.

There are solutions to at least some of the problems we’ve highlighted, if only they were deemed important enough to pursue. 

At present, qualified, skilled, and experienced operatives are leaving the security industry in droves, replaced by inexperienced (and often poorly-trained) ‘Jacket Fillers’. This is a situation that does little to protect or reassure the public, and even less to help those dedicated and professional operatives who continue to discharge their duties in increasingly challenging circumstances. 

From our vantage point, very little appears to be being done on an institutional level to prevent any of this from occurring. The consequences, both to the security operatives, and those under their protection, could be dire indeed. 

Ultimately, the mental health crisis being felt by Britain’s security workforce is one crisis among many. Access to mental health services in the UK is sorely limited, particularly for those of limited income. People from all walks of life would benefit greatly from increased access to free mental health services. However, this need is perhaps felt most keenly by Britain’s front-line security workers.