Issued:  16th October 2009

Should Stab Resistant Vests become standard equipment for University Security Guards?

With a noticeable increase of young people moving away from home and beginning life on campus, university security guards are absolutely essential in order to ensure the personal safety and protection of our students.  The question has now been raised:

Should University Guards be issued with stab resistant vests?

One security guard was stabbed several times whilst trying to apprehend three trouble making teenagers on the campus grounds of Leeds Metropolitan University in 2008. Following this event one security guard made a very serious comment when confirming concerns about equipment levels and said that it was as a result of a similar incident that stab resistant vests had been issued to security officers at Leeds University.” Yorkshire Evening Post 12th Nov 2008.

One of the main roles of a security guard is to question the presence of strangers within the complex and conduct night patrols. With most university towns also having an active night life the percentage of intoxicated persons also increases. It is sensible to acknowledge the fact that security guards patrolling university campuses do put themselves at risk when going about
their daily duties. The higher risk level within face to face interactions usually justifies or requires dedicated training as well as personal protective equipment in the form of stab resistant vests.

Mark Hardy, Senior Consultant of ASEO makes a very valuable point when stating: “More than a few University Security Managers have been enquiring as to the use of stab resistant vests within their line of work due to the constantly changing circumstances they find themselves in, what with most campuses being situated within busy metropolitan areas. It is important to remember that these guards can often come up against trespassers on university grounds and individuals under the influence of drugs or alcohol which can often lead to confrontation and subsequent injuries. Stab resistant vests are not issued as standard to security guards yet, but I genuinely believe that this needs to change.”

Due to a general increase in anti social behaviour and lack of respect ASEO have developed a new type of stab resistant vests for security guards, which protects the ribs, spine and all vital organs not only from knife and needle attacks but from blunt force trauma generated by a punch, kick or blow by a blunt instrument. The stab resistant vests are certified by the Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HOSDB) and are designed in such a way as to be able to be worn covertly, making altercations less confrontational.

ASEO is a Limited company incorporated in June 2006. Together with sister company personalsafety4u ASEO strives to provide stab resistant vests and personal safety training methods to public sector workers.

If you would like more information on this topic please call 01765 692550 or email Mark Hardy at mh@aseo-europe.com