How it All Started
My name is Daniel Henery and I am a UK citizen. For more than ten years I have run a software house which is located in an office tower in Manchester. As someone who values safety, I always believed that manned security guarding could be enough to keep threats away.
My office is located in the thriving central part of the city, which comes with a number of advantages such as the presence of several office complexes, small shops, and a couple of jewelry shops located in the basement. All these conveniences made this part of the city attractive.
On the 30th of December 2023 at around 11:30 am, I was at the office finalizing the business year reports. I had no idea that a few floors below my office, an extraordinary event was about to happen, an event that from that moment onward was going to change my perception of security in a building completely.
What is the story behind the robbery?
Around eight or nine men entered our office building that morning undetected. Just like any other visitor, they came in through the main door. A cursory glance from the reception security could tell these people were not armed, or at least not with any metallic objects.
The jewelry store located in the building’s basement was their first and only target. The subsequent events were straight from a movie, in a few minutes, they were able to capture the shops in a quiet and effective manner while causing no disturbances. The facade was that the shop owner was moving about the store in a very calm manner as if he was trying to assist them. Deep down, he was very scared and was experiencing a lot of pressure.
The main challenge for the robbers was getting the gold out of the building, not the stealing part. Strutting through the main door with so much jewelry would raise a lot of suspicion. To ‘solve’ this, they disguised the store owner as a delivery personnel and slowly made him remove the gold. The rest of the team waited outside, and to avoid being seen together, they split using different exits.
Where Things Went Wrong with Security
Upon reviewing the timeline of events, it became apparent to us that the floor security employees were not completely to blame. The thieves were intelligent, and the store owner’s anxiety aided them. The pity is that in his anxiety, the owner savagely helped far more than he needed to.
It wasn’t until everything was over that the shopkeepers informed the building’s security. At that point, our team acted fast. The guards pulled up the CCTV footage and tracked exactly which exits the robbers had used. They contacted the police immediately, and within moments, they knew something big was happening. The police worked hand-in-hand with our security team to chase down the suspects.
The Capture and The Chase
The gold shop owners in were able to successfully recover all gold robbed from them, after all of it was expertly and strategically hidden in their place of business. The swift resolution to the robbery was astonishing. However, had the guards and the shop owners worked towards a more synchronized plan of action, then possibly the robbers would have been caught in a far more predictable and confined location.
That day taught me something important: having security measures isn’t enough—you need the right combination of technology, training, and people who know how to act under pressure. I realized the real value of employment of veterans of retail security as well as cutting edge CCTV installation for such emergencies.
Why Active Security Personnel Do More Than Stand Guard
Checking bags and greeting guests is not the sole function of a guard. A manned guarding security service is a lot more than that. These guards undergo training that enables them to handle emergencies, manage crises, and mitigate threats.
In our example, if the guards had received specialized training on behavioral detection, they could have noted the suspicious indicators of unease or peculiar movement displayed by the culprits. This is not about blame—it is about understanding that professional guarding is an evolving role that needs relentless training and learning.
How to Identify the Best Security Solution for Your Establishment
When it comes to securing a commercial building, there’s a world of difference between hiring someone to “keep an eye on things” and partnering with professionals who truly understand security.
There are many options—from small security agencies to large firms. The most trusted security agency in Manchester region like SR Facilities Group provides multiple options like manned guarding, retail security, static security, mobile patrols, parking operations and others tailored towards client’s requirements. I’ve seen first-hand how important it is to hire a security company that trains its staff for both high-pressure situations and everyday vigilance.
A Lesson to be Learned
It was remarkably quiet, but alarming at the same time. It taught me the necessary components required to effectively ensure security. It brought to light how the systems, guards, and every layer of safety depend on the organization providing it.
My Key Takeaways:
- Regular retraining – Guards must be trained to react to suspicious behavior.
- Technology upkeep – CCTV is only helpful when operational and monitored in real time.
- Emergency protocols – Staff should follow a clear, rehearsed plan for emergencies.
- Strong partnerships – Work with a provider who treats your business as a priority.
If you own a shop, office, or mixed commercial space, don’t wait for an incident to remind you of the importance of security. Protecting your business also means protecting your people, your income, and the peace of mind of everyone who works with you.