Southend Spring Bank holiday beach security patrol save man's life

On the last bank holiday Monday (25 May), a security patrol team from Stambridge Security Services saved a dying man from a heart attack on Southend Pleasure Beach.   

Licensed operatives Jamie Spiers and Patrick Bourke were on patrol at the Southend-on-Sea pleasure beach when they received a call from a colleague at around 2pm stating that a man was in distress.  

It was a busy, hot day, and Jamie and Patrick found the unconscious man lying on the beach fully dressed and breathing erratically. He was having a cardiac arrest. They are both qualified first aid trainers, and immediately called the emergency services who advised that they should start CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).   

Jamie started chest compressions, while Patrick alerted Stambridge Security Services' control room to ensure that CCTV was capturing everything. The two door supervisors also took it in turns to give the man rescue breaths.   

Jamie said:

"Thankfully we were in the right place at the right time. We took turns because it was so tiring. It took about 15 minutes for the paramedics to arrive. We were relentless, consistent and we did not stop. When the emergency services arrived they took over and used a defibrillator on the man. The Air Ambulance also came to the scene."

Once Jamie and Patrick had handed the man over to the emergency services, they cordoned off the busy beach. As it was a bank holiday, the traffic was very heavy so they directed cars away from the scene to enable the emergency services to get their patient to Southend Hospital.

Three days later, a security operative at Southend Hospital called Jamie and put him on the phone to the man who they had saved. He was very thankful.

Jamie said:

"I've been a door supervisor for 12 years, and I was born and bred in Southend. Patrick and I have worked together in crowd control, and always focus on making sure we can create a safe environment. I'm just glad we could help. Who would have thought that Patrick and I would save a man's life."

There are over 400,000 licensed security operatives in the UK, and like Jamie and Patrick, many continue to work as critical and key workers, guarding hospitals, sheltered accommodation, supporting social distancing in supermarkets, and other essential operations.

 Ian Todd, Chief Executive of the Security Industry Authority (SIA), said:

"It's important to remember that many in the security industry are working as critical and key workers during this emergency. Jamie and Patrick's story is testament to the fact that despite the challenges, many operatives and businesses are going the extra mile to serve their communities."  

The SIA is promoting the industry's dedication and commitment through the #SIAHeroes campaign. It is sharing inspiring stories of security operatives who are keeping the public safe and secure at this critical time.

Read all of our #SIAHeroes stories online here.     

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Notes to Editors:

• For an interview with Jamie Spiers and Patrick Bourke, please contact the SIA press office: media.enquiries@sia.gov.uk
• Stambridge Security Services Ltd based in Southend-On-Sea and is an SIA approved contractor
• The SIA has been running #SIAHeroes for the last year, and during COVID-19 is seeking to raise the profile of the contribution that the front line private security industry are making in response to this crisis.

 Further information:

1. The Security Industry Authority is the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry in the United Kingdom, reporting to the Home Secretary under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. The SIA's main duties are: the compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities; and managing the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme.

 2.        For further information about the Security Industry Authority or to sign up for email updates visit: www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk. The SIA is also on Facebook (Security Industry Authority), Twitter (@SIAuk) and LinkedIn.   

For media enquiriesonlyplease contact:

SIA Press Office

Security Industry Authority

media.enquiries@sia.gov.uk