Believe it or not G4S are one of the better Security Companies, and I should know having worked for quite a few including them.
Based in Crawley they are the Worlds third biggest Private Sector Employer. They provide the Security at 14 UK Airports,Four Ports, Run six Prisons and two Immigration Centres. They are also responsible for security at 500 Police Stations and 30 Custody Suites. They also tag 14,000 Prisoners each year, deliver 300 billion in cash from 2300 vehicles per year and take 39 million utility readings for companies in the UK every year. This is in addition to "top end" services such as proper "bodyguards" etc and work in war zones and other activities all over the world.
Compared to my responsibilities when working for them which was to sit watching TV all night in a disused abbatoir near Linlithgow can perhaps put it all into perspective. There is such a vast range and complexity of tasks within their remit.
Theres no doubt they have "cocked up" but I'm not sure who else would have been big enough to take on such an undertaking in the UK. Believe me despite the introduction of Licensing and the SIA, you largely have cowboys with licences rather than without.(the employees and in some cases employers as well)
The biggest problem is that as with a lot of things today , everyone wants it "on the cheap" and this is reflected in the calibre of staff they are able to attract with the wages on offer. Hence the problems with the "Ticket Checkers" who are working alongside people on much better pay and conditions.
Most Security Guards have to work at least 60 hours per week to obtain a living wage, without the sick pay and other benefits most employees get. Having said that G4S are better than most in this field - a sobering thought