Police warns private security firms

By Vision Reporter

The director of special duties, Andrew Sorowen has warned that the police force will revoke licences of private security firms if they do not stick to professionalism.

Security firms are partly licenced to help the police to curb crime. However, some private guards have been named in various crimes, among them is theft in areas under their jurisdiction.

"Such acts portray bad behaviour of a company that has been assigned the responsibility of protecting property," Sorowen said.

He made the remarks while presenting an accolade to Securex  for being the best private security firm at the people's choice awards at the Imperial Royale hotel in Kampala, last week. The event was organised by Muyz.

Sorowen also commended Securex for scooping the award for the third time in a row. He hailed security firms for helping to keep crime rates low in Kampala by installing security systems in all the areas in which they operation.

The director of special duties, Andrew Sorowen poses for a group photo with Securex staff

He said the technology has helped prevent entry of unauthorized persons in areas under surveillance and this has seen many criminals arrested and tried in court.

Police says that the rate at which security guards were being murdered has reduced ever since the private security firms embraced the technology.

"Police advised security firms to install surveillance cameras, motion sensors and intruder alarm systems in all areas guarded to help fight crime,"the Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango said in a telephone interview,

"Robberies, thefts, stabbings, death by strangling and murders have reduced ever since the technology was embraced by most firms."

The Securex finance manager, Nachiket Patanker said installations of security systems in places under surveillance is the way to go.

"Securex has over 1500 guards, well trained with technical skills and this has helped keep our customers safe," Patanker said shortly after receiving the award.

Vishal Dathwal, securex's operation Manager asked all security firms to migrate from the analog systems of security to digital systems where you can monitor situations from gadgets like Mobile phones, television sets and other electronic devises.

"With such technology guns and millions of shillings will not robbed," Dathwal said.

Early this year, police accused Private security firms of employing ex-convicts who later terrorized local's residents by robbing them of their property.

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