Mobile security patrols in London

What does a mobile patrol officer do?

On each visit, the officer works through checks we agree with you. Outside, that usually means the perimeter, gates, doors, windows and shutters, and anything left in the yard. Inside, if we hold your keys, it can include each floor, the alarm panel, plant rooms and signs of a leak or a fault.

If everything is in order, they record the visit and move on to their next site. If something is wrong, such as an open door, a broken window or someone who shouldn’t be there, they deal with it if it’s safe to and report it. We monitor officers and sites 24/7.

Patrol officers have no more legal powers than anyone else. If they find someone who shouldn’t be there, they ask them to leave and call the police, rather than try to hold them; our retail page explains the limits.

Scheduled or random visits?

Scheduled visits happen at set times. They suit jobs that must be done at a particular time, such as locking up after the last person leaves or opening up before staff arrive.

Random visits happen at different times each night, so there’s no pattern for anyone watching the site to learn. They suit premises that stand empty for long periods, such as a closed office or a yard at the weekend.

A common pattern is a scheduled lock-up in the evening, then one or more random visits through the night.

Which premises suit mobile patrols?

Patrols work well wherever a building is closed or empty for part of the day or week. For example:

• offices and shops after closing time
• warehouses, yards and industrial units at night and at weekends
• construction sites between shifts and over holidays
• car parks, bin stores and common parts of residential blocks
• buildings that stand empty between tenants or while they wait for redevelopment

If your premises are busy around the clock, or something valuable needs watching all the time, a static guard is usually the better choice.

How often should an officer visit?

It depends on the premises, what’s kept there and how long they stand empty. For example:

• a lock-up every evening and an unlock every morning
• two or three random visits a night, every night
• visits at weekends and bank holidays only, while the building is closed
• extra visits over Christmas or a summer shutdown, or while a building is empty between tenants

We agree the pattern with you, and review it if anything changes, such as a building falling empty or an incident nearby.

What happens at a lock-up or unlock?

At a lock-up, the officer arrives at the agreed time, checks that nobody is left inside, locks the doors, windows and shutters, and sets the alarm. They can also switch off lights and equipment on a list you give us. If your staff work late, an officer can meet the last person out, so nobody has to lock up alone.

At an unlock, they arrive before your staff or contractors, unset the alarm, open up and check that nothing has changed overnight. Each lock-up and unlock is recorded.

Mobile patrols or a static guard?

Some premises use both, such as a static guard by day and patrols at night. If you’re not sure which you need, tell us about the site and we’ll suggest what would work.

Can you check an empty building?

Yes. Empty premises, such as offices between tenants or buildings waiting for redevelopment, still need regular checks. On each visit, the officer looks for signs of entry, damage, water leaks, fly-tipping and anything that could start a fire, and checks that the alarm is set.

If a building is empty, ask your insurer whether your policy sets conditions for unoccupied premises, such as how often they must be inspected. We can time our visits to match.

How is each visit reported?

The officer leaves a report on site, which can also be done digitally. If there’s a major incident, we contact your main contact rather than waiting for the report.

Over time, the records show patterns, such as a door that’s often found unlocked or a fence that keeps being damaged, so you can fix the cause.

What should you check before you hire?

• Licences. Under the Private Security Industry Act 2001, anyone guarding your premises under contract must hold an SIA licence.
• Proof of visits. Ask how each visit is recorded and what you’ll see, such as times, photos or checkpoint scans.
• Officer safety. Patrol officers often work alone at night, so ask how they’re looked after. We monitor our officers 24/7, every day of the year.
• Insurance. Ask for proof of public and employers’ liability cover. We’ll send you our insurance certificate on request.
• Standards. The British Standard for mobile patrols is BS 7984-3, the code of practice for mobile security services. Ask whether the company works to it.

Our credentials page sets out what you can check about us.