Security guards in Hillingdon

Which parts of Hillingdon do we cover?

All of it. The council’s transport plan describes a long, narrow borough, the second largest in London by area: densely built-up in the south, suburban in the middle and sparsely populated in the north.

The south has Heathrow Airport, with the M4 running through the southern half of the borough and the M25 just beyond its western edge. Five Elizabeth line stations are in Hillingdon: the three at Heathrow, West Drayton, and Hayes and Harlington. The London Plan’s Heathrow Opportunity Area, which runs across the south of the borough into Hounslow (GLA), has capacity for 13,000 homes, and its Hayes Opportunity Area for 4,000. Hayes and Yiewsley with West Drayton are District centres. Hayes is also one of the plan’s strategic areas for regeneration.

Uxbridge is the borough’s Metropolitan centre (London Plan), at the end of the Metropolitan and Piccadilly lines, and the plan rates its potential for both commercial and residential growth as high. Brunel University London has its single-site campus here (Brunel). South of the town, Hillingdon Hospital is to be replaced by a new hospital (The Hillingdon Hospitals).

The north has District centres at Ruislip, Eastcote and Northwood. The Central line crosses the middle of the borough from east to west, but the council notes that public transport in the north is limited and that most travel across the borough is by car.

Industrial land sits in four Strategic Industrial Locations (London Plan): the Hayes Industrial Area, North Uxbridge Industrial Estate, Uxbridge Industrial Estate, and Stonefield Way and Victoria Road.

What needs guarding in Hillingdon?

Warehouses and yards. The council’s transport plan notes that Heathrow’s passengers, staff, freight and deliveries all need road access. At a warehouse or yard serving that trade, an officer can check HGVs, drivers and seal numbers in and out at the gatehouse, keep the entrance clear and patrol the perimeter overnight: see warehouse and industrial security.

Offices. The London Plan says Uxbridge has the capacity, demand and viability for new speculative offices. In an Uxbridge office, our office security officers can run front of house, sign in visitors, and lock up and patrol after hours.

Shops and the night-time economy. The 2022–27 business plan of Love Uxbridge, the town’s Business Improvement District, describes three things the BID funds: SIA-qualified security ambassadors who patrol the town centre seven days a week from 10am to 6pm, the UB Safe radio link for businesses, and its own Metropolitan Police officer. It also says the BID has funded a night-time security team at weekends and on big sporting occasions, and hoped to keep it going (Uxbridge BID business plan). A retail security officer on your own shop floor adds to that, including before 10am and after 6pm.

Building sites. Growth in the Hayes and Heathrow Opportunity Areas and the new hospital mean large sites in a borough where most journeys are by car. Construction site security controls the gate by day and guards plant and materials at night.

Premises spread across the north. In Ruislip, Eastcote and Northwood, mobile patrols can check, lock and unlock premises at set or random times, and keyholding and alarm response sends an officer when an alarm goes off.

What matters when hiring in Hillingdon?

• Heathrow traffic. The council says the M40, M25, M4, A4, A40, A312 and A404 carry heavy traffic, generated in part by demand to reach Heathrow, which adds congestion. Agree arrival and handover times that allow for it.
• The town centre radio link. The BID’s plan lists Uxbridge’s town centre police team, the council’s CCTV control room and the shopping centres as members of UB Safe. If you trade in Uxbridge town centre, ask Love Uxbridge about joining.
• Door licences. The London Plan rates Uxbridge’s night-time economy as regionally significant, and those of Hayes and Yiewsley with West Drayton as more than local. Staff on the door of a licensed bar or venue need an SIA door supervisor licence (SIA).