1st Class Protection (1CP) is the company appointed by HWS to provide the security patrols. 1CP is fully licensed and currently has a three-year operating agreement with detailed performance clauses which are reviewed quarterly by the Directors.

​​

​

 

 

1. Who is Hadley Wood Security Limited by Guarantee (HWS)?

 

HWS was set up by local residents in 2003 for the sole purpose of raising funds to provide security patrols in Hadley Wood. It now does much more than this and supplies proactive security solutions to our members by funding and maintaining ANPR/CCTV cameras, as well as regular training for patrols in first aid and the use of defibrillators (which are kept in every patrol car). HWS is set up as a co-operative, which means it is owned by its members and is a ‘not for profit’ organisation administered by a Membership Secretary and two Directors, who are also local residents and who work on a voluntary basis. It also has an Advisory Board and a Security Committee. 

 

 

2. What is the relationship between 1st Class Protection (1CP) and HWS?

 

1CP is the company appointed by HWS to provide the security patrols. 1CP is fully licensed and currently has a three year operating agreement (with a three year extension) with HWS. Detailed performance clauses are reviewed quarterly by the Directors.

 

 

3. Do we have to pay for 1CP and HWS separately?

 

No, you will only pay HWS, who collect all the member subscriptions (preferably by Direct Debit to save on admin costs) and then HWS pay 1CP directly.

 

 

4. What services do I receive as a member?

 

These are all detailed on the HWS website www.hadleywoodsecurity.com but, in brief summary, your property will be patrolled regularly with an emergency response to alarm activations (target time of under two minutes if we are listed as your first phone number to call with your alarm monitoring company). The security officers are First Responders so are trained in restraint as well as basic first aid (all guards are Frec 3 trained and two guards are Frec 4 trained) and fire fighting; a defibrillator is also carried in the vehicles, with both adult and child pads. You will receive a membership plaque fitted to the front of your property and Meet & Greet services and holiday cover are also included.  

 

5. If a crime takes place at my property, how will the security patrol respond?

 

The security patrol officer will respond immediately and will also alert additional HWS officers and if appropriate, the Police. The security patrol officer will act in the same way as a Police officer would by protecting both you and your property and, if necessary, make an arrest. The officers are trained in restraint and will take whatever action is necessary to ensure your protection. They also wear body cameras so that all activity is recorded.

 

 

6. What is your key holding service? If we sign up to this service, can you enter our property and reset our alarm if we are away?

 

1CP provides a separate keyholding service exclusively for HWS members at a discounted rate of £30 per month inc VAT. This will allow officers to enter your property and carry out a full internal check prior to re- setting the alarm, if possible. 1CP also offers a holiday keyholding service. Please refer to the specific tab for offers and details.

 

7. Why do I need to join HWS if I already have an alarm and/or security gates?

 

It’s not an either or, it’s both! Sadly, the police can no longer provide an acceptable emergency response service. The criminals know this and are taking advantage of it. HWS is a community project and we all need to be members in order to strengthen the service. We have reduced crime in Hadley Wood by 67% since 2018 according to Met Police figures and the patterns continually show members of HWS are less targeted than non members. Please refer to our factsheet for more information.

 

​

8. How do we link our existing alarm to HWS as well as to our alarm security company and why should HWS be listed as first person for the alarm call centre to ring?

 

Most modern alarm systems will connect to a central station for alarm monitoring. In the event of an activation the central station will alert up to 6 numbers (including the Police) to advise them that the alarm has been activated at your address. You must provide your central station with the patrol number with the request that this is the very first number called. The patrol can then be directed immediately to your property. Alternatively, if your alarm is not monitored, you can install an auto-dialler that will call the patrol directly in the event of an alarm activation. If you would like further information on your particular security set-up and how it can best compliment HWS’s service, please email us and we will contact you directly.

 

 

9. What evidence is there that the existing patrols are effective? Have crime rates dropped?

 

The patrols were originally set-up to target the aggravated burglary that was prevalent at the time. Thankfully this has been extremely successful, and the focus is now on the prevention of burglary and auto-theft. Members display a large security plaque outside their property indicating their membership of the scheme; this is a very effective deterrent backed up by Met Police crime statistics showing members are less targeted than non-members. Almost all criminal activity is targeted on non-member properties with just a small number of incidents occurring in member properties in the past 21 years. Since 2018, official Met Police figures show a reduction in burglaries in Hadley Wood by 67%.

 

 

10. Do non-members benefit from the patrols?

 

All residents will inevitably derive some benefit from the enhanced security in the area, but the patrol will not attend a non-member property, nor will they respond to or offer any of their services to a non-member resident. We would like all Hadley Wood residents to view HWS as a community service and so we continue to actively promote joining HWS to all residents and ask our members to do the same.

 

 

11. Is my money at risk at any point?

 

No. HWS will hold your funds and pay for security services provided monthly in arrears. The HWS bank account is controlled by a Director and supervised by an independent firm of accountants who audit the accounts annually. In the unlikely event that 1CP is unable to provide security services, HWS would appoint another company to provide security services in their place.

 

 

12. Do the Police approve of this service?

 

Yes. The scheme was originally approved by none other than Cressida Dick, the ex-Met Police Commissioner! Representatives of the Police and SNT regularly attend and speak at HWS member meetings as do local councillors and senior volunteers of NHW. 

 

 

13. Why do you make reference to Zone 1 and Zone 2? What does this mean?

 

When the scheme was originally set up, HWS was advised to establish two separate patrolling areas for operating efficiency and to maintain a rapid response time. There is no difference in the security service provided in both zones and the cost is the same. We also have a Zone 3 which receives Emergency Response (ER) only.

 

 

14. Do all residents pay the same?

 

All HWS members will be paying the same rate per membership year (June – May) when paying by Direct Debit. The only exception is multi-tenanted buildings (apartments) where a 50% discount is offered, provided that ALL residents subscribe. Additionally, we have recently introduced a further discount to encourage everyone to join: if every household in your road joins, a 20% discount is offered to everyone in that road. We understand this may be harder to achieve for longer roads, but this is the only road discount arrangement currently on offer. All places of worship, Hadley Wood School and communal buildings are given security free of charge as HWS fully believe in supporting the Community.

 

​

15. Will the amount I pay increase each year?

 

This depends on the number of residents leaving and joining the scheme each year – thankfully almost no-one leaves! If the number of members remains static, the cost will increase by the rate of inflation to maintain the guards’ pay. In 2020 & 2021, the number of members joining was greater than the annual increase in costs, so the annual subscription did not increase. If we have a significant increase in members then the cost could reduce in future years or we could introduce additional patrols. In 2024 and 2025 we managed to maintain a price freeze.

 

 

16. If I am paying by direct debit, why can’t I pay monthly?

 

We are contractually committed on an annual basis, so we cannot sign the contract until all the funds are received for the full 12-month period. However, in certain circumstances we will allow quarterly payments, but only if paid by Direct Debit and the DD discount will not apply. You would also have to sign a 12-month agreement even though you are paying quarterly.

 

 

17. If there are any reserves in the HWS accounts, how are these funds used?

 

In some years we have a small surplus and in other years we have a small deficit, but over 21 years we have built up a reasonable surplus which we use to fund security initiatives that benefit our members. In the recent past we have purchased medical equipment and in 2020 we embarked upon our biggest project to install ANPR and CCTV cameras throughout the whole of Hadley Wood and to create a ring of steel in Cockfosters; this work is ongoing with multiple camera sites in 24h operation. The next phase of this ‘ring of steel’ is to introduce artificial intelligence which will significantly upgrade our early warning system by identifying suspicious movements and activities - alerting the patrols in real time.

 

 

18. What is the connection between Hadley Wood Association (HWA) and Hadley Wood Security (HWS)?

 

HWS and HWA work in partnership as pillars of the community but are two separate entities.

 

 

19. Do HWS cars have sirens? How quickly can they respond in an emergency, especially if they are on the Cockfosters Road?

 

 

Houses on Cockfosters Road and some of the roads off that road are on an Emergency Response service only, so the patrol is highly unlikely to be stuck in traffic. However, in the unlikely event that this happens there is always a second patrol that remains in the heart of Hadley Wood at all times. Our patrol cars are fully equipped.

 

​

20. How can I get to know the team of security officers better?

 

If you would like to meet our guards, please email the scheme secretary at info@hadleywoodsecurity.com and we will arrange for them to visit you and introduce themselves at a time to suit you. For security reasons, we will not publish their details on a public website.

 

 

21. I would like to know more about the ANPR/CCTV cameras.

 

We are happy to discuss this more fully with our members. Please email us and we will contact you directly. For security reasons we do not disclose camera locations or operational protocols. Only authorised personnel can access the cameras.

 

 

22. Should I invest in a crook lock? Do they really help avoid my car from being stolen?

 

Current Police advice is that you should purchase a crook lock if your car is not garaged and is susceptible to vehicle theft. Range Rovers have historically been targeted in Hadley Wood. We also recommend that keyless fobs (and spares) are kept in a faraday pouch (that is regularly checked and working) well away from the front doors and windows. Met police also recommend installing a Ghost or equivalent immobiliser and a tracking device that cannot be disabled. We have also seen an increase in the use of retractable bollards on driveways which are very effective.

 

 

23. I have lived in Hadley Wood for many years but have never been approached to join HWS.

 

We do our best to make everyone aware in the community. The scheme is promoted online, via several hundred plaques on member properties, via hand-delivered letters through your door, via the Hadley Wood News which is delivered to every home in Hadley Wood every other month (by the HWA) and through the NHW WhatsApp Groups and the Hadley Wood Association at the AGM. We also incentivise members to make referrals and recommend their neighbours to join with £50 off for both parties. Ultimately, we want everyone in Hadley Wood to be a part of – and benefit from - enhanced security protection for themselves, their family and their property, so please do not hesitate to get in touch with us via our website www.hadleywoodsecurity.com