Security Guarding Services

Guarding is the backbone of most security plans because people can judge situations that cameras and sensors cannot. Our officers protect homes, complexes, offices, warehouses, retail centres, construction sites and schools. Depending on the post, their work includes:

• Controlling entry and exit of people and vehicles, and keeping registers
• Observing the site and reporting anything unusual
• Patrolling the premises at intervals set in the site instructions
• Responding first to alarms, disturbances and emergencies, and escalating correctly
• Protecting staff, residents and visitors

For specific roles, see static security officers, armed guards and unarmed security officers.

Every guarding plan starts with posts: the fixed positions officers hold. Typical posts are a main gate or boom, a pedestrian entrance, a reception desk, a loading bay or a high-value storage area. The site assessment decides how many posts are needed and which are most critical. A post at a vehicle gate might involve checking visitors against a list, issuing visitor passes, inspecting delivery paperwork and searching outgoing vehicles where the client's policy allows. A reception post focuses on visitor sign-in, escorting guests and keeping unauthorised people out of work areas. Detailed gate work is covered under access control and gatehouse security.

Posts can be staffed for day shifts, night shifts, weekends, or around the clock where the risk justifies it. Shift lengths, handover times and relief arrangements are written into the proposal so posts are not left empty during changeovers, meal breaks or absences. Where possible, we keep the same officers on a site so they learn its routines and recognise who belongs there. Seasonal changes, such as extra cover over the December period or during a stocktake, can be added on request.

Guarding fails when nobody checks it. Our supervisors visit posts to confirm officers are present, alert, correctly dressed and following site instructions. Each post keeps an occurrence book recording shift changes, patrols, visitors, incidents and anything out of the ordinary, and supervisors review these entries.

Incidents are escalated according to the procedure agreed with you, followed by a written report. You also have a manager to contact directly. Regular review meetings can be built into larger contracts to discuss trends and adjust the plan.

All officers are PSIRA-registered, screened before placement, and matched by grade and temperament to the post. They receive site-specific briefing before starting. Guarding works best when supported by CCTV, alarms and lighting, which we can include in the same proposal.

Guarding is usually an ongoing contract, with duration and notice terms agreed upfront. Once-off guarding for events, shutdowns or short projects is also available and quoted separately.