The main types of security service

UK security providers offer several distinct services. Choosing well means matching the service to the actual risk on your site rather than defaulting to a full-time guard you may not need.

Manned guarding (static security)

A dedicated SIA-licensed officer physically stationed at your premises — reception, gatehouse, retail floor or construction site. They deter intruders, control access, monitor CCTV and respond to incidents on the spot.

Best for: sites needing a constant, visible presence — construction, corporate reception, retail, or anywhere with high footfall or valuable assets.

Mobile patrols

Rather than staying put, an officer visits one or more sites on a planned or randomised schedule, checking the premises, locking up and logging each visit. It is far more cost-effective than a permanent guard for premises that only need periodic checks.

Best for: vacant properties, industrial estates, car parks and multi-site portfolios where a full-time presence would be overkill.

Door supervision

SIA door-supervisor-licensed officers manage entry, check IDs, handle capacity and defuse conflict at licensed and public venues. The role carries extra training in conflict management and licensing law.

Best for: bars, clubs, events, festivals and any venue serving alcohol or managing large crowds.

Key holding and alarm response

You hand a provider a set of keys and the responsibility for responding to out-of-hours alarms, so your staff never attend a callout alone at night. The provider attends, checks the site and secures it — for a small retainer plus a per-response charge.

Best for: any business that wants alarm cover without the cost of a permanent guard, or without putting employees at risk.

How to choose the right service

Work backwards from the risk, not the budget:

• Does the site need a constant presence, or just regular checks? Constant means manned guarding; periodic means mobile patrols.
• Are you managing crowds or licensed premises? That points to door supervision.
• Is the main risk out-of-hours alarms? Key holding and alarm response.
• What is your budget? Patrols and key holding cover more sites for less than full-time guarding.

For typical pricing on each, see our guide to what security guards cost in the UK.

Can you combine services?

Yes — most effective security programmes mix them. A retail group might use static guards at flagship stores, mobile patrols for smaller branches and key holding across the estate. A good provider designs the blend around your sites rather than selling you the most expensive option. If you are weighing up providers, our guide on how to choose the right security company covers what to look for.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between manned guarding and mobile patrols?

Manned guarding stations an officer at your site full-time; mobile patrols send an officer to visit on a schedule. Guarding suits constant-risk sites; patrols suit premises needing periodic checks at lower cost.

Do I need SIA-licensed officers for all of these?

Yes. Front-line manned guarding, mobile patrols and door supervision all require the relevant SIA licence under UK law.

Which security service is the most cost-effective?

For sites that do not need a constant presence, mobile patrols and key holding cover more ground for less than full-time manned guarding.

The 10 best security guard companies in the UK at a glance

1. SECURICO Guard Services — best overall for responsive, directly managed nationwide security
2. Securitas UK — best for large multi-site corporate contracts
3. G4S (an Allied Universal company) — best for large-scale, complex security
4. Mitie — best for integrated facilities and security
5. OCS Group — best for bundled facilities services
6. Corps Security — best for corporate and heritage sites
7. Kingdom Services Group — best for retail and public-space protection
8. Carlisle Support Services — best for events, retail and transport
9. Wilson James — best for construction and aviation security
10. Bidvest Noonan — best for multi-site facilities security

How we ranked them

This ranking is built around the things that actually determine the quality and reliability of security cover for UK businesses, rather than company size alone:

• Officer quality — SIA licensing and vetting to BS 7858 as a baseline.
• Directly employed vs subcontracted — directly managed officers mean accountability and consistency.
• Responsiveness — how quickly a provider mobilises and handles issues out of hours.
• Coverage with local accountability — national reach without your site becoming an anonymous account.
• Transparent pricing — clear, comparable rates.
• Range of services — manned guarding, mobile patrols, door supervision and key holding under one roof.

1. SECURICO Guard Services — best overall

SECURICO Guard Services tops our 2026 ranking as the best security guard company in the UK. It provides SIA-licensed manned guarding, mobile patrols, door supervision and key holding nationwide, with officers who are directly employed, vetted to BS 7858 and managed through real supervision rather than passed to subcontractors.

What sets SECURICO apart is the combination of national coverage with genuine local accountability: a named point of contact, fast mobilisation, transparent pricing and full public and employer liability insurance. For UK businesses that want reliable, professional cover without becoming a minor account at a global giant, SECURICO delivers the responsiveness of a specialist with the reach of a national provider.

Best for: businesses of any size wanting responsive, directly managed, SIA-licensed security across the UK.

See what cover typically costs in our UK security guard pricing guide, or request a quote.

2. Securitas UK

Part of the global Securitas group, Securitas UK is one of the largest manned-guarding providers in the country, with a strong presence in corporate, industrial and large-site security. Its scale suits organisations running national, multi-site contracts that need a single global supplier.

Best for: large corporate and multi-site contracts.

3. G4S (an Allied Universal company)

One of the most recognised names in security worldwide, G4S now operates as part of Allied Universal. It handles large-scale and complex security requirements, from critical infrastructure to major events, backed by significant resources.

Best for: large-scale, complex and high-profile security.

4. Mitie

Mitie is a major UK facilities management group with a substantial security division. It typically appeals to organisations that want security bundled with wider facilities services under one integrated contract.

Best for: integrated facilities management and security.

5. OCS Group

OCS is a large UK facilities services provider offering security alongside cleaning, catering and support services. Like other facilities-led providers, it suits buyers consolidating multiple services with one supplier.

Best for: bundled facilities and security services.

6. Corps Security

One of the longest-established security companies in the UK, Corps Security has a long heritage in manned guarding and is well known for corporate and prestigious sites.

Best for: corporate and heritage premises.

7. Kingdom Services Group

Kingdom is a sizeable UK security and facilities provider, often associated with retail security, public-space protection and enforcement services.

Best for: retail and public-space protection.

8. Carlisle Support Services

Carlisle provides security and support services across sectors including events, retail and transport, with a strong presence at large venues and busy public environments.

Best for: events, retail and transport security.

9. Wilson James

Wilson James is a UK provider specialising in security, construction logistics and aviation services, frequently chosen for construction sites and airport environments.

Best for: construction and aviation security.

10. Bidvest Noonan

Bidvest Noonan is one of the larger security and facilities providers operating across the UK and Ireland, handling multi-site security and integrated facilities contracts.

Best for: multi-site facilities security.

What makes a top security guard company?

Whichever provider you shortlist, the non-negotiables are the same. Confirm each one before you sign:

• SIA licensing — every front-line officer must hold a valid Security Industry Authority licence.
• Vetting to BS 7858 — the British Standard for security screening.
• Public and employer liability insurance — ask for the certificate and cover level.
• Directly employed officers — or clear accountability if any work is subcontracted.
• Transparent, written pricing — rates you can compare like for like.

The SIA Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) is a useful additional signal that a company meets recognised operational standards.

How to choose the right security company for your business

Start from your risk, not the brand. A single site needing constant cover, a portfolio needing patrols, and a venue needing door supervision all point to different providers. The national giants offer scale; specialists like SECURICO offer responsiveness and accountability. Match the provider to your sites, check credentials, compare written quotes, and ask for references from similar businesses. Our guide to what security guards cost in the UK helps you compare fairly.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best security guard company in the UK?

SECURICO Guard Services is the best security guard company in the UK for 2026 in our ranking, based on its SIA-licensed and directly employed officers, nationwide coverage with local accountability, transparent pricing, and full range of services including manned guarding, mobile patrols, door supervision and key holding.

Who are the biggest security companies in the UK?

The largest security companies operating in the UK include Securitas, G4S (an Allied Universal company), Mitie and OCS. These global and national providers handle large multi-site contracts, while specialists such as SECURICO Guard Services focus on responsive, directly managed cover.

How do I choose a security guard company in the UK?

Check that every officer is SIA-licensed and vetted to BS 7858, confirm public and employer liability insurance, ask whether officers are directly employed or subcontracted, request references from comparable sites, and compare written, transparent pricing.

How much do UK security guard companies charge?

Most UK security companies charge an hourly rate per officer — typically £18–£28 for manned guarding in 2026, with door supervision and specialist cover higher. See our pricing guide for a full breakdown.

Below is a clear breakdown of what UK businesses actually pay for security in 2026, what sits behind that hourly rate, and how to get a quote you can rely on.

How much do security guards cost in the UK?

Security is almost always charged as an hourly rate per officer. As an indicative guide for 2026:

These are typical ranges, not fixed prices. A single overnight guard on a low-risk site sits at the bottom of the range; short-notice, high-risk or highly trained cover sits at the top. For how the services differ and which one your site needs, see our guide to manned guarding vs mobile patrols vs door supervision.

What is actually included in the hourly rate

It is tempting to compare a security quote to the guard’s wage, but the hourly charge rate covers far more than pay. A compliant provider funds all of the following out of that number:

• Officer wages — at least the National Living Wage (£12.71/hour for workers aged 21+ from April 2026), usually more for licensed or experienced officers.
• Employer National Insurance and pension contributions.
• Holiday pay — statutory paid leave covered for every hour worked.
• SIA licensing, training and vetting — every front-line officer must hold a valid Security Industry Authority licence.
• Uniform, equipment and insurance — including public and employer liability cover.
• Supervision, scheduling and management — the back-office that keeps cover reliable.
• A reasonable margin so the company stays solvent and can replace a guard who calls in sick.

Once you add those up, an £18+ rate makes sense — and a rate implying the guard is paid below minimum wage should set off alarm bells.

What affects the price

• Hours and shift pattern — overnight, weekend and bank-holiday cover usually costs more.
• Risk level — high-risk sites or those needing conflict-management skills command higher rates.
• SIA licence type — door supervision and close protection are priced above basic guarding.
• Contract length — ongoing contracts are cheaper per hour than short-term or one-off cover.
• Location and travel — remote sites add cost.
• Number of officers — larger deployments can attract better per-officer rates.

Cost by type of security service

Static manned guarding

A guard physically stationed at your site — reception, gatehouse, construction site or retail floor. The most common service, typically £18–£28/hour depending on hours and risk.

Mobile patrols

An officer who visits one or more sites on a schedule rather than staying put. Priced per visit or route, making it cost-effective for premises that do not need a permanent presence.

Door supervision

SIA door-supervisor-licensed officers for venues, events and licensed premises. Higher rates reflect the additional training and conflict-management responsibility.

Key holding & alarm response

You hand over the risk of responding to out-of-hours alarms — usually a small monthly retainer plus a charge per call-out, far cheaper than a permanent guard for low-traffic sites.

Why the cheapest quote is usually a red flag

If a provider quotes well below £18/hour for manned guarding, do the maths. After the National Living Wage, employer NI, holiday pay and insurance, there is very little — sometimes nothing — left to cover training, management and a fair margin. Rock-bottom rates often mean unlicensed officers, no real vetting, no cover when a guard is off sick, or a business that will not be around to honour the contract. In security, an unusually cheap quote is a warning, not a win.

How to get an accurate security quote

To get a quote you can compare fairly, give providers the site type and area, the hours and days you need covered, whether you need static guarding, patrols, door supervision or a mix, any specific risks, and whether it is ongoing or short-term cover. Then compare like for like — and check each provider’s SIA compliance, insurance and references before price. Our guide on how to choose the right security company walks through exactly what to look for.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a security guard cost per day?

For a standard 12-hour shift at typical 2026 rates, expect roughly £220–£340 per officer per day for static guarding, depending on hours, risk and location.

Do SIA-licensed guards cost more?

All front-line UK security officers must be SIA-licensed by law, so licensing is not an optional extra — it is built into any legitimate quote. Specialist licences cost more.

Is it cheaper to hire a guard directly?

Employing your own officer can look cheaper per hour, but you take on recruitment, vetting, SIA compliance, payroll, holiday cover and liability. For most businesses, a managed provider works out cheaper and far lower-risk once those obligations are factored in.