Management Priorities and Security

Abstract

Complementary to the audit of existing security measures (Chapter 5) was an exploration of the self-reported priorities accorded to security by both town-centre and shopping-centre managers. The assumption was that managers were able to describe the ways in which security formed part of their job descriptions and how this was reflected in their day-to-day activities, including the prominence given to specific measures to preserve and protect the safety of shoppers. It was also thought that there could be a strong correlation between identified crime and nuisance problems and the priority given to measures designed to minimise them. Town-centre and shopping-centre managers were therefore asked to rank their range of responsibilities in order of priority, including the security of shoppers. This can be seen as a parallel enquiry to the earlier exploration of security cover, but one where the emphasis switches from the extent of provision and its effectiveness to its perceived importance — and the way in which security is given prominence relative to other aspects of managers’ responsibilities.