Sammy is a former Royal Marine and a current SIA licence holder. He has received several awards and police commendations for his work as a door person and for preventing retail crime. Sammy reflects on his experiences of protecting vulnerable people in his adopted city of Plymouth.
I moved away from Scotland in 2018. I wanted a fresh start and had lots of friends in Plymouth from my days as a Royal Marine Commando. I had first worked on the doors in the late 1990s when I turned 18, before SIA licensing. My mates helped get me back into security after leaving the Marines.
The security company I joined was amazing in helping me to build a new life. They paid for my training in courses like CCTV and close protection. The skills and support they have given me has helped me to succeed.
I’ve worked in pubs, nightclubs and at events. As a PARC (Plymouth Against Retail Crime) officer I’ve helped to prevent antisocial behaviour and shoplifting. I’ve confiscated knives, dealt with armed robbers, and performed CPR successfully 3 times. I’ve got 7 awards over the past few years. It’s great to be recognised, but my real passion is helping to protect vulnerable people.
It’s not just about the safety of people in your venue, but also those nearby. Professional standards are important because you have a duty of care. The SIA is the backbone of good practice. I’ve seen massive improvements over the years, such as a greater colleague awareness about first aid and mental health.
“I’ve got 7 awards over the past few years. It’s great to be recognised, but my real passion is helping to protect vulnerable people.” – Sammy Wightman
I would say to anyone, if you are in trouble and you see someone with an SIA licence, ask them for help. In my line of work, you see a lot of vulnerable people. Males as well as females, but women are sadly at risk of being targeted. Recently, a colleague and I helped a young lady after an attempted spiking. My colleague tested a drink and found it was positive for a substance. I secured the scene so the police could collect evidence. We also made sure she got home safely.
I am proud to have played a pivotal role in enhancing public safety on a local and national scale. A few years ago, I presented to the head of the licensing board compelling statistics showcasing the advantages of integrating the Disc app PARC were using to address retail crime, into national Pubwatch schemes as a valuable tool to reduce alcohol-related crime. About a year ago, our vision materialized as the new app was officially launched. It means security and bar staff can identify and log people in a GDPR approved way for offences like threatening behaviour and possessing drugs or weapons, and share intelligence with the police.
I have also supported the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly with an in-depth report, providing statistics on anti-social behaviour in Plymouth. I received a Commander’s Commendation from Devon & Cornwall Police for it.
My other passion is music. I recently passed my degree in Electronic Music Production and am now doing a part-time Masters. This year, I opened my own nightclub with my best friend and business partner. As Head of Security, my focus is on keeping everyone safe. As a music producer and DJ, I also make sure we’ve got great vibes and banging tunes! I’m proud that we’ve been accredited by Best Bar None as a safe and well-run venue.
Moving away from Scotland is the best thing I have ever done. Getting into security helped me to believe in myself again. Now I get to help people every day, and save lives. What could be better?
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