As a Security Industry Authority (SIA) Approved Contractor, Nikaro operates as a national security network and is duly recognised as one of the Top Five organisations involved with key holding and response services in the UK.
Nikaro’s annual sales total approximately GB pound 2.8 million, the Investors in People-registered company operating through a network of service providers. Over 750 vehicles make up its fleet, the workforce numbering 1,200 trained security professionals among its ranks.
With this latest acquisition (which was ratified on Wednesday), Securitas further enhances its position as the market leader within the UK’s mobile security services market.
Nikaro is an associate member of the BSIA, has received NSI Guarding Gold approval and is also registered as a SAFEcontractor.
Independently audited network of companies
The company was established back in 1996, filling a requirement to supply a national keyholding service to companies throughout the United Kingdom.
Nationwide cover is provided for clients by way of an independently audited network of nearly 200 independent security companies. Of these, 70% have been inspected by the National Security Inspectorate and 50% hold BS EN ISO 9001 UKAS certificates.
This high number of network members also means that there are nearly 200 dedicated Control Rooms within the network.
Across the last 12 months, the Nikaro network experienced in excess of 4,500 alarm activations, which can be broken down into the following categories:
Network response time performance
Nikaro’s rightly proud of its network’s response time performance which, at a national average of 29 minutes, is the best in the industry. In addition, only 5% of response times were outside the ACPO ’20 minute’ recommendation, and only 4% of alarm activation reports were submitted beyond the deadline.
The company selects leading service providers nationwide. Companies who know their local area and are experienced in alarm response services.
Each provider is selected on merit, and must conform to Nikaro’s stringent agreement for key holding and alarm response services (including carrying out work to an audited standard).
One of the key benefits is that the company negotiates all contracts on a central basis, making the whole process far easier for the end customer.
Once a customer is confirmed, the service provider in whose area the work falls is duly notified. The client is contacted by the provider to arrange a site survey, and to complete draft assignment instructions.
These are presented to the customer for signature, and the service provider then takes responsibility for the keys. The service then starts on the due date specified.
Submission of incident reports
In the event of a call out or alarm activation, the responding service provider company submits an incident report by fax to the Nikaro office by 08.00 hours each day. Once Nikaro’s satisfied that all the required information has been provided, a report is forwarded to the client.
The reporting service allows both Nikaro and the customer to monitor service performance during the critical time from the alarm activation through to response. The details of every ‘incident’ are recorded, with a breakdown of alarm activation activity provided to all clients.
For national account customers that reporting can either be broken down into regions or offered in a consolidated format to show the aforementioned average response time.
