My son was assaulted by a security guard - any advice please?

[Squash64]

I've just spoken to my son and he told me about a very upsetting incident which happened to him yesterday.  He has written a letter to the manager of the store, which he has said I can show you here.  I have blanked out the name of the store.

My son wrote:-

I entered the store at 16.01pm through an open door. I then walked through the entrance lobby and through the entrance gates into the front of the store. I stood with the clothing section to my right where I had told my wife and young daughter that I would meet them. I was then  approached by a security guard. He told me that I had to leave the store. I had no problem with doing this, I just hadn't realised that the shop was closed as the doors were open. I said in a pleasant manner, 'OK, My wife and daughter are in the shop'. He then aggressively told me 'I don't care. Out!'  Shocked at the manner in which he spoke to me I believe that I replied, 'OK,  I was just looking for my wife and daughter.' He then ushered me abruptly to the door aggressively saying 'I'm not arguing with you . Out!'  I told him that there was no need to be aggressive and that I didn't appreciate the way in which he was speaking to me. I was calm at all times and did not raise my voice or act aggressively, in fact I was shocked and felt very threatened by his manner. I started walking to the exit and told him that I would like to see his manager, he then aggressively said 'Out!' Whilst I continued to walk to the exit I looked at his top for a name badge but he was not wearing one, so I asked for his name he told me I couldn't have it. Then with my back to him as I was still walking out he assaulted me, pushing me in the back with excessive force, causing me to stumble forwards at least two or three feet out of the shop. As I was standing in total disbelief outside the exit door, he walked towards me in an extremely threatening manner. At this point, after being pushed so forcefully in the back I was in genuine fear for my safety. Trying to compose myself, I pulled out my phone to take a photograph of him and he rapidly walked off.

Another security guard then walked over.  I was feeling, shocked, humiliated, and extremely shaken. The second guard gave me the name of the guard that assaulted me – John, and I then asked to see the manager. I was invited back into the store to wait, but understandably I did not want to enter the shop. The manager came to see me and apologised for the actions of the guard. He told me that he would speak to the guard's manager on Monday and that I should ring the store. He told me that he would review the CCTV footage of the incident. On reflection I should perhaps have insisted that the police were called, however I was as stated, feeling shocked and just wanted to leave.

I must stress that at all times I complied with the aggressive requests to leave the store. I did not argue with the guard, nor did I attempt to stay in the shop. This situation did not escalate because I tried to stay in the store, but rather because I questioned the rude and aggressive manner in which I was spoken to. I am a respectable, 38 year old family man of good-standing, who was merely looking for his wife and child. Granted, I had entered the store after closing time however, I do not live locally and this was the first time that I had been in this particular **** store. I had just come from IKEA, next door, which is open until 5pm and I assumed that ****'s opening hours were the same. I would expect that if **** do not wish peple to enter the store after 4pm then perhaps posting a guard on the door to advise people you are shut, would be a better solution than using violence to physically evict your customers. I would like to think that your staff have more respect for your customers. I have spent thousands of pounds in **** over the years, I will not be spending money in **** again.

My son doesn't know what to do next.  Does anyone have any experience of anything like this?  I am really shocked at what happened.

[Squash64]

[goodlife]

Wow..that is awful.. :o
What does you son wants as a outcome for this incident? That is basically what its all come down to.
I would contact your local police... ::)..yes..they are not all that bad..they should be able to advise what steps to take. But certainly I would make official report about the security guard..he is out of line and not allowed that sort of behaviour.
It wasn't that long ago when police officer pushed man on ground with serious complications. Alhough there is no physical harm done..this time..it doesn't take much and you son could have been seriously injured...or worst.
The store manager is not correct neither...it is not your son that should be chasing the outcome for their 'inquiry'
It the manager who should be contacting your son with any information. If you son contact the police..and even if he doesn't press any possible charges..the incident is at least logged on and if this bad man should do something like it again..that time it maybe the final straw for his career.
Personally I would not let that kind of behaviour get away without attention..that security guard is on wrong job if he cannot handle himself better.!!!!!

[grawrc]

I would agree with everything GL has said. I would certainly report it to the police.

[galina]

Yes I agree, it depends on what your son wants to do.  Walking into a shop through the open door is always ok, no need to study opening times.  What the store manager will do with the CCTV is anybody's guess.  It could be used to sack this guy or it could be used to sweep the whole incident under the carpet, ie wiping the tape.

If your son wants to take it further and especially if the other security guard can act as a witness, he would need to go to the police and get their advice, and fast, before any tapes are wiped.  Doesn't mean that there will be an arrest or that they will even follow it up.  It was clearly the shop's fault and this is no way to keep customers.  And if it ends up with police officers talking to the manager, it is very likely that the shop will want to settle amicably, whereas if they are only dealing with your son, they are likely to dismiss him and any claim he may have.  I think he is at least owed some 'good will' in the form of generous shopping vouchers.

I am so sorry he had this experience, no doubt he is still shaken up.  Where did his wife wait in the end.  Did she see what happened?  If there are good witnesses that would help even if the manager has wiped the CCTV.  Needless to say, if he considers going to the police for advice, he needs to do it asap and let them advise what to do next for the best.

[rosebud]

 Betty, i am so sorry to hear about this.
May i suggest your son go to the place because they can ask to see the cctv tape, that security man could be / should be prosecuted for his disgusting behavior,  if somebody else with less calm had retaliated they would have been arrested why should he be allowed to get away with such behavior.

Please ask your son to report it & ask to see the tape.
Good luck to him to pursue this.
Regards Mary

[Lishka]

I, too, agree with all the points GL has made and also that the incident is logged with the police for them to further. He can take the letter you quoted with him.

What a horrible experience >:(

[grannyjanny]

Ih ope your son is OK. Something else to consider Squash. After being pushed with such great force  could take a few days for any problems to show. I remember tripping when I was in my early forties & it was a week before I realised I had injured my back. I saw a chiropractor who put it right but I still have the problem.

[pansy potter]

How frightening.

[Unwashed]

How upsetting Betty.  I think the letter he's written is excellent.  He could make a complaint to the police but that's stressful enough so maybe he could wait and see what the store manager says.  He could also send the letter to Trading Standards and see if they're interested.  I think your son showed great composure, it's amazing how oafish some people can be when they put a uniform on.

[antipodes]

I agree, excellent letter.
Here in France, the stores are very particular about you getting out on time! However this means that 15 minutes before closing, they start bringing down the shutters etc and the security guy will tell you they are closing (if they know you, you might get away with running through for a loaf of bread!!!) 
But if you are in the store, and they want to close up, surely there is still no need for such behaviour. Stores always have a "kindly make your way to the exit" announcement and security goes through the store to make sure you are gone.
What disgusting, unprofessional behaviour. I am sure that the store will want to smooth things over because of the bad publicity...

[cornykev]

As above, call the police now, don't ponder over it,  they will get to see the CCTV.    :(

[ACE]

Why mess about with the police, time lost in statements, time lost in court, fuel for travel etc.

The store cannot put up with that sort of publicity. Get a great big sorry note on the back of a subtantial cheque. Something similar happened to my daughter and she came out of it with a nice tidy sum.

some of these knuckle draggers they employ as 'security' are a few shillings short of a pound and so full of their own importance he will not even realise he has done anything wrong.

[pumkinlover]

I think he needs to talk to the police. It's bad enough for it to happen to your son, but this person could end up injuring an older or frail person if he is that out of control ???

[plainleaf]

talking to lawyer may also be necessary.
Also no offense but you may not be hearing the whole story from your son.

[fitzsie]

Definitely inform the police even if nothing eventually comes out of it, who is to say he wouldn't act like that again and this time on somone more vunerable. The fact remains the security guard laid hands on him and if he pushed him, as he says , then that is common assault. If you have witnesses ie another person (such as the other security guard - why give his colleagues name if he didn't think he had done wrong ?)  or the cctv then the police are more likely to deal. Without any other evidence it then becomes one word against another and then you may have a case where the police will probably not get involved.
Very frustrating incident, you really want to go back and give him a taste of his own medicine but you can't  :-\   

[betula]

I would have reported it to the police straight away.

[tonybloke]

def inform the police.
the 'security guard' should have been wearing a badge, ask store manager why he was not wearing an identity badge?

[Mr Smith]

 
Betty

Any Security guard working in a shopping centre would at least have a SIA registration, find out what security company he works for and have his registration suspended, hopefully get hold of the CCTV, and also drag the Store in question in to it, like others have said bad publicity is good publicity for you, :)

[Squash64]

Many thanks for all the replies.

My son has seen them and is very grateful for all the advice.  I will let you know tomorrow what he decides.

[Squash64]

I am so sorry he had this experience, no doubt he is still shaken up.  Where did his wife wait in the end.  Did she see what happened?  

Galina, his wife and 5 year old daughter came out of the store shortly after he did.  They hadn't seen what happened which in a way was fortunate because it's not the sort of thing you would want your child to see.