Security Guards

[pyrocam]

so what everyone is saying, jafa, is we should of boosted it across the grass.

[davereid]

For what its worth, I'm involved in the security industry, and have run a security company for many years.

Kaves take on things is correct, there are many circumstances where a guard (or anyone else for that matter) can arrest, using minimum force as needed.

Most arrests by police are not based on "special" police powers, as originally, police didn't have any - they used the same powers of arrest as anyone else.

Police now have extra powers, but the old right of arrest remains, and guards can and will use it.

Furthermore, you are OBLIGED to assist a policeman if requested, and you are protected by law if you do so, and prosecuted if you do not.

I also understand that the law does not require the policeman to be at the scene, he can ask for a guard assistance via two-way radio for example.

Because there are many circumstances in which a guard may misjudge the situation, most security companies do not encourage guards to arrest, as no one wants to be on the end of a law-suit.

But it would be a very brave midnight ram-raid burglar who assumed that the attending guard could not arrest him !

[jono035]

For what its worth, I'm involved in the security industry, and have run a security company for many years.

Do you know if my reading of the law as above correct? That a citizen cannot detain someone for an offence carrying a maximum penalty of less than 3 years, or is there some separate law that controls this situation?