The level of professionalism displayed by the Vigilant team during our peak season was unparalleled. Truly elite service.
- BS 7499 and BS 10800 Compliant Manned Guarding
Manned Guarding Services in the UK
Vigilant Security Services offers manned guarding services across the UK for commercial premises. All guards are SIA-licensed. Also, 24/7 guarding is available with UK-wide coverage.
- OPERATIONAL STANDARD
- BS 7499 & BS 10800
- Guarding and Security Service Codes
- LICENSING & SCREENING
- 100% SIA Licensed
- BS 7858 Screened Personnel
- GUARDING COVERAGE
- 24/7 UK-Wide
- England, Scotland and Wales
What Is Manned Guarding and Why Do Commercial Sites Require It?
Manned guarding is an SIA-regulated service. Licensed on-site guards protect people, buildings, and assets. They control access, carry out patrols, and respond to incidents.
On-site security guards check visitor and vehicle IDs. They also patrol site boundaries and check doors. Then they record safety risks under agreed assignment instructions.
Commercial Sectors Requiring Manned Guarding Services
Each commercial sector faces different risks. So, guard teams adapt their work to construction sites, offices, shops, and logistics hubs.
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Construction Sites and Infrastructure
Guards protect plant machinery and secure site boundaries. They also watch over sites after hours. Health and safety work follows CHAS, Constructionline, and Altius standards.
- 02
Corporate Security and Office Buildings
Guards handle reception, visitor badges, entry gates, and floor patrols. These services support multi-tenant commercial properties in business districts.
- 03
Retail Security and Shopping Centres
Guards help stop theft and calm customer disputes. They also watch stockroom access and patrol busy retail units to deter crime.
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Logistics Parks and Warehouses
Guards manage HGV gatehouse bookings and check driver IDs. They also watch cargo bays and check seals on delivery vehicles at commercial freight sites. For a dedicated service, see our warehouse security.
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Industrial Estates and Manufacturing Plants
Guards watch yard boundaries, sign in contractors, and report hazards. They also protect raw materials and tool stores from unauthorised access.
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Education Campuses and Public Facilities
Guards check visitors, patrol open spaces, and lock up after hours. They also watch alarms at schools and public facilities.
Commercial Guarding Deployments for UK Business Premises
Manned guarding deployments protect commercial property, logistics yards, and offices. Each site has clear assignment instructions. The control room also oversees guard work.
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01 STATIC SITE COVER
Fixed-post site cover
Dedicated on-site guards delivering constant physical presence, access point screening, and round-the-clock asset protection, including gatehouse access control for commercial premises.
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02 PATROL CHECKS Vehicle patrol visits
Scheduled and random vehicle visits, boundary checks, and physical lock-up services, paired with keyholding and alarm response for commercial premises.
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03 VENUE ENTRY CONTROL Licensed venue entry control
Front entrance screening, age verification, search procedures, and capacity management for licensed hospitality sites. For festivals, concerts and private parties, view dedicated event security services.
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Front-of-house site officers
Uniformed security personnel qualified in customer care, access control, and incident recording, delivering commercial reception duties and corporate concierge services.
- 05
SIA Guard License Standards
Every deployed guard holds a valid SIA license with mandatory Emergency First Aid at Work qualification, verifiable on the SIA public register.
- 06
Shift Patterns and Working Hours
Guard rotas follow Working Time Regulations. These set a 48-hour weekly average limit and 11 consecutive hours of daily rest. They also require statutory rest breaks during active duty.
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Guarding Equipment and Operational Reports
Duty officers carry two-way radios, torches, and checkpoint tags. They also keep daily occurrence logs (DOL), detailed incident reports, and signed patrol logs.
- 08
Site Assignment Instructions
Comprehensive written assignment instructions agreed with client management define exact post orders, emergency contacts, gatehouse procedures, and access control protocols under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
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Guard Tour Records and Verification
Electronic patrol systems scan checkpoint tags around key site boundaries. As a result, facilities managers receive time-stamped guard tour records they can check.
- 10
Short-Notice Emergency Guard Cover
Guards can be sent at short notice after fire alarm faults, break-ins, or damage to site boundaries. Cover is also available for sudden staff shortages across UK commercial sites.
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Body-Worn Video and Data Governance
Body-worn video deployed under UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 for officer safety and incident logging, paired with CCTV surveillance systems integrated to NSI NACOSS Silver standards.
How the 5 Step Guarding Deployment Operates
Each commercial site follows a five-stage process before guarding starts. First, Vigilant sets clear site rules and checks guard skills. The UK control room then oversees daily work.
- 01
Conduct Site Risk Assessment
Vigilant checks property boundaries, entry gates, blind spots, and storage areas. This helps the team plan protection for each site.
- 02
Formulate Assignment Instructions
Vigilant writes down patrol routes, lock-up times, health and safety rules, and emergency contacts. The client then reviews and approves them.
- 03
Select SIA-Licensed Guards
Guards hold active SIA licenses and pass BS 7858 screening. They also have checked communication and first aid skills that suit the site.
- 04
Execute Site Induction and Handover
Guards walk through the whole site and test radio links with the control room. They also review emergency exit plans.
- 05
Deliver Operational Service Reviews
The control room checks digital guard tour logs and reviews incident reports. It then adjusts shifts as site needs change.
24/7 OPERATIONS The control room calls on-site guards frequently to check on them. It also checks digital patrol logs. When needed, it sends relief officers, with an average response time.
Why Commercial Clients Choose Vigilant Manned Guarding
Vigilant offers screened guards, clear hourly rates, and reliable service. It also follows UK security industry standards and employment rules.
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All Guards SIA-Licensed
Every security officer holds a valid SIA licence. Before work starts, the team checks its number on the SIA public register.
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Screened to BS 7858 Standards
The team screens staff under BS 7858 recommendations. Checks cover five-year employment history, criminal records, and addresses.
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24/7 Guarding Available
Guarding can cover 12-hour day shifts, nights, weekends, and bank holidays. As a result, sites can stay protected at all hours.
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UK-Wide Coverage
Guards serve commercial sites in England, Scotland and Wales. Regional teams also oversee the work.
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Guard Tour Records
Guards scan checkpoints in real time. So, digital logs show how often they patrol and confirm their presence.
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Pay standards
Pay follows statutory National Living Wage rules and voluntary accredited Living Wage Employer rates. The team also meets pay duties where TUPE applies to qualifying staff.
Manned Guarding Services Across the UK
Vigilant offers SIA-licensed manned guarding services across the UK. Sites include commercial premises, logistics parks, offices, and industrial estates. The control room plans guard shifts and site visits. It also arranges relief cover at short notice across England, Scotland, and Wales.
- REGIONAL OFFICES
London, Manchester and Edinburgh (Livingston, EH54)
Regional offices support commercial manned guarding contracts. Local teams oversee guards, check vetting records, and manage client contracts.
- NATIONAL DEPLOYMENT COVERAGE
England, Scotland and Wales Commercial Guarding
Guards cover business sites in Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, Glasgow, and Edinburgh, with dedicated security guards in London. The 24/7 control room also makes check-calls and handles incident reports.
View All Locations →
STATUTORY LICENSING AND INDUSTRY FRAMEWORKS
Legal Compliance and Operational Governance for Manned Guarding Security Services
STATUTORY LICENSING
Mandatory legal prerequisites under UK private security legislation:
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Private Security Industry Act 2001: Schedule 2 lists security guarding work that needs a licence at commercial sites.
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SIA Public Register Verification: All guards hold valid SIA licences. Clients can check these on the SIA public register before work starts.
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Martyn's Law Alignment: Work is planned for standard tier sites (expected attendance 200-799) and enhanced tier sites (expected attendance 800+). The SIA is the named regulator. Full rollout is expected in April 2027 or later.
EMPLOYMENT AND WORKING HOURS
These workforce rules help keep guards alert and services running:
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Working Time Regulations 1998: Shift rotas follow the 48-hour weekly average limit. They also allow 11 consecutive hours of daily rest and statutory breaks at work.
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TUPE Handover Compliance: TUPE can apply to qualifying staff when a guarding contract changes hands. This helps qualifying guards keep their jobs.
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Personnel Screening: Staff follow BS 7858 screening recommendations. These include a five-year work history, criminal record checks, and address checks.
STANDARDS AND CODES
Operational recommendations guiding daily site duties:
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BS 10800 and BS 7499: The service follows British Standard advice for security services (BS 10800). It also follows advice for static guarding and mobile patrol services (BS 7499).
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Assignment Instructions: Clients approve clear site rules that follow the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
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UK GDPR & Data Protection Act 2018: The team handles body-worn video and digital patrol records under UK data privacy rules.
Our Security Accreditations
& Industry Commitments
As a fully accredited security services UK provider, our certifications are independently verifiable and not self-declared. These accreditations give our clients complete faith in us when choosing Vigilant
What Clients Say About Our Security Company
Vigilant provided outstanding security for our flagship retail locations across London. Their officers are disciplined, courteous, and highly responsive.
From initial consultation to on-site deployment, the entire process was seamless. We feel genuinely protected with Vigilant on our side.
Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Manned Guarding
Find answers about SIA licensing, hourly rates, 24/7 cover, UK locations, and TUPE staff transfers.
Are all manned guards SIA-licensed?
Yes, all guards are SIA-licensed. Each licence lasts 3 years. You can check its number on the SIA public register before a guard starts work.
How much do manned guarding services cost per hour?
Hourly rates depend on 6 factors: site risk, shift length, guard numbers, notice period, contract term, and pay rates. A site survey then sets the final quote.
Is 24/7 manned guarding available?
Yes, 24/7 guarding is available for days, nights, weekends, and bank holidays. So, commercial sites can stay protected outside normal opening hours.
Do you provide manned guarding services across the UK?
Guarding is available UK-wide through offices in London, Manchester and Edinburgh. Send your site postcode. The team will then confirm cover and when guards can start.
What happens to current guards under TUPE when switching contractors?
TUPE can move qualifying guards from the old contractor to the new one. However, each guard's role and contract affect eligibility. So, we check each case.
SIA-Licensed Manned Guarding Services Across the UK
Vigilant Security Services offers manned guarding services across the UK for commercial premises. All guards are SIA-licensed. Also, 24/7 guarding is available with UK-wide coverage.
