Future is looking secure at family business
SON FOLLOWS IN DAD’S FOOTSTEPS AS FIRM RESTARTS
A TEENAGER is determined to follow in his father’s footsteps as a father-son duo re-open a community-focused security service – 28 years since it was first established.
Almost a decade before his son was born, Les Nivens started the company after being approached by the local mayor, but it was put on the back burner when the dad-of-two took up international work.
However, when son Jack came of age, the inspired teenager suggested they should start it back up again.
Les started Neighbourhood Security Ltd in 1995 after working with local councils and another security firm.
Kenneth Johnson Hall, the civic mayor of Middlesbrough at the time, approached Les and asked him to work in security for the council.
During the first few weeks he often went down to speak to local kids who were breaking fences and causing trouble.
Les chatted to the leaders of the groups and after great success, his work expanded to Redcar and Cleveland and then the whole of Teesside.
Les, who now lives in West Lane, Middlesbrough, said: “I started working internationally and took a step back but I never fully neglected it.
“My son is a very smart lad and now we’ve come back properly.
“We’re doing the same as before but 1,000 times better, we have better knowledge. As you build on it, you gain strength and it helps the local communities and local councils.”
Neighbourhood Security Ltd now offers CCTV and security cameras to local businesses, door supervision and mobile patrols of neighbourhood areas.
Since re-opening, the father-son duo have expanded to two offices in the space of two months and have even signed several Premier Inn hotels to a fleet of protected venues.
Jack, 19, said: “We started off in one estate and the local council said we were doing a great job.
“We even started getting donations from local people and phone calls of encouragement from the community. So we started expanding it and got in with the local councillors.
“We were getting a lot of support from local people because we are trying to help.
“I wanted to follow in my dad’s footsteps because he did so well.
“I just thought working together would be a great idea.”
As well as local Premier Inns, the company has also started working closely with Cleveland Auto Services and conducts voluntary residential patrols in Berwick Hills, Pallister Park and Park End.
Les said: “I know if I support and do voluntary work helping the councils with anti-social behaviour I will build a community spirit up with the local councillors.”