How to Hire a Security Guard in London: A Step-by-Step Guide

Quick answer: Hiring a security guard in London comes down to four steps: work out what kind of cover you actually need (static guard, mobile patrol, or concierge-style cover), check the company is properly licensed and insured, ask the right questions before you sign anything, and make sure the contract spells out hours, cover for absences, and how incidents get reported. Most reputable providers can have a guard on site within 48–72 hours once terms are agreed. Costs vary depending on the type of cover and hours required — our cost guide breaks this down in full. The rest of this guide walks through each step.

Do you actually need a security guard?

Not every business does, and it's worth a quick gut-check before you start calling companies.

You're more likely to need a guard if any of the following apply to you:

• You get a steady flow of visitors, deliveries, or contractors through the door and need someone managing who comes in and out

• Your premises are open outside normal hours, or unoccupied overnight

• You've had a break-in, theft, or any kind of security incident before

• You hold stock, equipment, or assets worth protecting — server rooms, retail stock, cash handling, high-value goods

• Your insurance policy requires a certain level of security cover as a condition of the policy (worth checking your documents for this)

If none of these really apply — say, you're a small office with no public footfall and nothing valuable on site — you might be better served by a simpler concierge or reception service rather than a dedicated guard. But if even one or two of the points above sound familiar, it's worth taking the next steps seriously.

Step 1 — Decide what type of cover you need

There are three common options, and which one fits depends on your site.

Static guard. One person, based at a fixed point — usually a reception desk, entrance, or gatehouse. This is the right call if you have a single site with a clear point of entry that needs monitoring throughout the day or night.

Mobile patrol. A guard who visits your site at scheduled or randomised intervals rather than staying put — checking doors, walking the perimeter, responding to alarms. This tends to suit sites that don't need someone on the door all day, such as warehouses, car parks, or out-of-hours cover for offices that are staffed during business hours anyway.

Concierge-guard hybrid. A guard who also handles front-of-house duties — greeting visitors, signing for deliveries, managing access — alongside a security role. Common in office buildings and residential developments where you want a welcoming front desk that's also keeping an eye on who comes and goes.

If you want a fuller comparison of static guarding versus mobile patrols, we've covered that in more depth on our mobile security patrols page.

Step 2 — Check the provider is properly licensed and insured

This is non-negotiable, and it's quick to check.

Every individual guard working in the UK must hold a licence from the Security Industry Authority (SIA). It's a legal requirement under the Private Security Industry Act 2001, and a company sending out unlicensed guards is committing a criminal offence — not just a compliance slip-up. The good news is you don't have to take anyone's word for it: the SIA runs a free public register where you can check a licence number in real time.

You should also ask for proof of public liability insurance before signing anything — this protects you if something goes wrong on site.

We've gone into more detail on what SIA licensing actually covers and how to verify it properly in our guide to SIA licensing for businesses, so we won't repeat all of that here.

Step 3 — Ask the right questions before signing

Before you commit, it's worth putting a few direct questions to any company you're considering. A confident, established provider should answer all of these without hesitation:

1. Can I see proof of your guards' SIA licences before they start?

2. Are your guards directly employed by you, or subcontracted out?

3. What happens if a guard calls in sick — who covers the shift, and how fast?

4. How quickly can you deploy a guard once we agree terms?

5. What's included in the standard contract, and what gets charged as an extra?

6. How are incidents reported, and who do we contact out of hours?

7. Can you provide references from similar businesses you currently work with?

8. What's the notice period if we need to end the contract?

If a company is vague or defensive about any of these, treat that as a warning sign.

Step 4 — Know what should be in the contract

Once you've chosen a provider, check the contract actually covers the following before you sign:

• Hours and coverage — exact shift times, days covered, and what happens on bank holidays

• Reporting and incident procedures — how and when you'll be notified if something happens on site

• Notice period — how much warning either side needs to give to end the agreement

• Cover arrangements for absence — what happens if your assigned guard is off sick or on leave

• Escalation contacts — who to call if there's a problem with the service itself, not just a security incident

• Review or break clauses — whether you can revisit terms or exit early if the service isn't working

Most reputable security contracts in London run on a minimum term of one to twelve months, with a notice period of one to three months either side. If a contract locks you in for longer than that with no break clause, ask why.

Common mistakes businesses make when hiring a security guard in London

A few patterns come up again and again with first-time buyers:

• Not checking licences directly. Taking a company's word for it instead of looking the guard up on the SIA register yourself.

• Choosing on price alone. The cheapest quote sometimes means undertrained or underpaid guards, which tends to show up in poor reliability later.

• No agreed incident-reporting process. Finding out after something's gone wrong that nobody was clear on who should be told, or how quickly.

• Skipping the contract details. Signing without checking notice periods or absence cover, then being stuck when a guard doesn't turn up and there's no clear fallback.

  
  

Solomon's approach

At Solomon's, every guard we place is SIA-licensed and DBS-checked, and we're happy to show you the paperwork before a single shift starts. We work with London businesses across offices, residential developments, and retail sites, and we offer a free, no-obligation consultation to talk through what kind of cover actually makes sense for your site — no pressure to take more than you need.

FAQs

Do I need a licensed security company?

Yes. Any company supplying guards in the UK must ensure each guard holds a valid SIA licence — it's a legal requirement, not optional best practice. You can check any guard's licence for free on the SIA's public register before they start work.

How quickly can a security guard be deployed?

Once terms are agreed, most established providers in London can have a guard on site within 48 to 72 hours. This can be faster if the provider already has staff covering your area.

What's the difference between a security guard and a concierge?

A security guard's primary role is protection and monitoring, while a concierge focuses on front-of-house and visitor services — though many London businesses now use a hybrid of both. We've covered this comparison properly on our concierge services page.

Talk to Solomon's about security cover for your London business — free, no-obligation consultation. Get in touch with our security team.