Guardforce Security Services

What Guardforce Security Services does

Guardforce Security Services Limited is a privately held UK security services provider founded in 1993 by Mick Iqbal and Edward Watts in Luton, Bedfordshire, and now headquartered in Watford, Hertfordshire. The company delivers manned guarding, mobile patrols, keyholding and alarm response, neighbourhood patrol, retail security, close protection and a 24/7 control-room monitoring service to commercial, retail, corporate, construction, residential and public-sector clients across the Home Counties, London, the Midlands and Yorkshire. It also operates a sister UAE business (Guardforce Global, Dubai since 2007) with a new Ajman office opening in February 2025, and is part of a wider group that includes MKM Global Commercial Cleaning & Hospitality and Marina Lux Real Estate.

The technology stack is operational rather than proprietary: a 24/7 control room equipped with CCTV, alarm systems and direct telephone lines; FMS software for scheduling and invoicing; electronic incident reporting logs; GPS-tracked hybrid patrol SUVs; and custom-made 360-degree CCTV towers with night vision, integrated generators and motion sensors. AI-powered video surveillance and anomaly detection are marketed as features of these towers and alarm systems, primarily through third-party vendors, with mobile and email alerts delivered to business owners.

The commercial model is predominantly recurring contract-based (subscription/keyholding/managed services), with bespoke quote-based pricing determined by service type, headcount, patrol frequency, location and contract duration. Distribution is direct via a website quote form, phone (0330-999-0039) and email, supplemented by a client referral programme, regular newsletters (at least 14 issues since 2019), industry events (International Security Expo, Security TWENTY 24, London Build, UK Construction Week) and content marketing. The company is SIA Approved Contractor Scheme-accredited (Top 10% UK ranking, 116/145 audit score), holds Safecontractor, SSAIB, ISO 9001 and Constructionline Gold credentials, and is rated 'Strong' by Plimsoll in its analysis of 1,577 UK security firms. Headcount on office staff is in the 11–50 band per firmographic disclosure, though frontline officer count is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Guardforce Security Services

Legal name

Guardforce Security Services Limited

Website

https://guardforce-security.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Guardforce Security Services Limited is a privately held UK security firm founded in 1993, providing SIA-approved manned guarding, mobile patrols, keyholding and alarm response, retail security and 24/7 control-room monitoring to commercial, retail, corporate, construction and public-sector clients across the Home Counties, London, the Midlands and Yorkshire, with a sister UAE operation in Dubai.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Manned Security Guarding Services

NAICS

Security Guards and Patrol Services (561612), Investigation, Guard, and Armored Car Services (56161), Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) (561621)

SIC

Services-Detective, Guard & Armored Car Services (7381)

akta.pro primary industry

Manned Guarding & Site Security (Static Guards) (BPABAMAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mobile Patrol & Alarm Response (BPAKAAAB), Remote Video Guarding / Virtual Patrol (Guard + CCTV) (BPAKAAAL), Alarm Response & Dispatch/Guard Response Services (HSAHAAAC)

Keywords

• Manned security guarding
• Mobile patrol services
• Keyholding alarm response
• Retail security services
• Construction site security

Headquarters

HQ city

Watford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Security Guarding Services: Contract-based manned guarding services providing uniformed security guards for commercial, retail, corporate and residential properties. Revenue generated through recurring service contracts with assigned officers.
2. Mobile Patrol Services: Random out-of-hours site visits by mobile security personnel. Cost-effective solution for clients not requiring round-the-clock coverage, billed based on patrol frequency and site requirements.
3. Keyholding and Alarm Response: Annual subscription service where key holder teams respond to alarm activations and remain on site until premises are secure. Revenue from annual subscription fees.
4. Neighbourhood Patrol Service: Evening neighbourhood patrols capturing video footage and liaising with community groups to address anti-social behaviour. Community-funded security service.
5. 24/7 Control Room Services: Central monitoring and communication hub supporting both clients and field officers. Provides rapid response coordination and supervisory oversight.
6. Retail Security Services: Specialized retail sector security including loss prevention, store detective services, and uniformed presence for retail environments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Guardforce Security Services provides contract-based manned security guarding, mobile patrols, keyholding and alarm response, neighbourhood patrols, retail loss-prevention, and 24/7 control room monitoring to commercial, retail, corporate, construction, and residential clients across multiple UK regions. Services are delivered by SIA-licensed uniformed officers supported by GPS-tracked hybrid patrol vehicles, AI-enabled CCTV towers, and electronic incident reporting.

Product overview

Guardforce Security Services operates as a unified security services provider offering an integrated portfolio of physical security services and technology-enabled monitoring solutions. The core offering consists of manned guarding services (Security Guard Services, Retail Security Services) combined with mobile response capabilities (Mobile Patrol Services, Keyholding and Alarm Response) and community-focused security (Neighbourhood Patrol Service). These services are supported by a 24/7 Control Room serving as the central monitoring hub. Advanced technology products include CCTV Towers with AI-powered surveillance and hybrid patrol vehicles with GPS tracking. Specialized services include Close Protection for executive/VIP clients. The company was founded in 1993 and operates across the UK with offices in Watford and Luton.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Security Guard Services Comprehensive manned security guarding and concierge services providing uniformed, SIA-licensed security officers to commercial, retail, corporate and residential properties throughout the UK.
• Retail Security Services Specialised retail security including loss prevention, store detective services, bag checks, inventory control and uniformed deterrent presence for retail stores and shopping environments.
• 24/7 Control Room Central monitoring hub staffed around the clock, tracking guard check-in/check-out procedures, conducting routine check calls, coordinating rapid response, and equipped with CCTV, alarm systems and direct telephone lines.
• Keyholding and Alarm Response Annual subscription service where trained key holder and first response teams attend alarm activations at client premises and remain on site until the property is fully secured.
• Mobile Patrol Services Cost-effective patrol solution featuring fully-trained mobile security guards conducting random out-of-hours site visits using GPS-tracked hybrid patrol vehicles, providing a visible deterrent to intruders.
• Neighbourhood Patrol Service Evening neighbourhood patrols and community warden services that visit residential neighbourhoods, capture video footage and work with community groups to address anti-social behaviour and unauthorised presence.
• Close Protection Services Close protection for high-profile individuals delivered by trained Close Protection Operatives (CPOs), covering risk assessment, threat analysis, evasive driving and advance route planning.
• CCTV Towers Custom-made deployable CCTV towers providing 360-degree surveillance, night vision, integrated generator power and advanced motion sensors for site monitoring.

Quantifiable outcome

• 29% reduction in crime and unauthorized presence in residential areas served by neighbourhood patrol services
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature5 records

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Corps Security: Long-established UK security guarding specialist (founded 1859) with focus on manned guarding, keyholding, and security systems. Similar SIA ACS accredited positioning and comparable customer verticals (corporate, public sector, heritage properties).
• FGH Security: UK security company specialising in retail security, manned guarding, and event security. Comparable mid-market UK guarding provider with overlapping customer base in retail and event verticals, competing for similar contracts as Guardforce.
• CIS Security: UK-based security services provider with strong public-sector and heritage/cultural property credentials. Comparable SIA ACS-accredited manned guarding and concierge services across UK regions, with similar enterprise and government client mix.
• Wilson James: UK-based security and logistics services provider offering manned guarding, reception/concierge, and security technology. Comparable mid-market positioning with strong construction, retail, and corporate client rosters — a close like-for-like competitor to Guardforce in scale and service mix.
• Mitie Security: Mitie's security division provides manned guarding, keyholding, mobile patrols, and security systems across the UK. Directly comparable service mix (static + mobile + technology-enabled security) and serves overlapping retail, corporate, and public-sector clients, though Mitie operates at substantially larger scale.
• Securitas UK: UK arm of global security services giant Securitas AB. Directly comparable as a manned guarding, mobile patrol, and alarm response provider across commercial, retail, and corporate segments. Competes for many of the same UK enterprise and government contracts as Guardforce, though at much larger scale.
• Allied Universal (UK): UK operation of Allied Universal (formed via G4S acquisition). Offers manned guarding, mobile patrols, and security technology solutions comparable to Guardforce's portfolio. Largest UK security guarding competitor by revenue, competing head-to-head for enterprise and government contracts.
• Kingdom Services Group: UK security and cleaning conglomerate offering manned guarding, keyholding, mobile patrols, and event security. Closely comparable to Guardforce in service mix and mid-market UK positioning, with similar regulatory accreditations (SIA ACS) and a strong multi-vertical client base.
• Bidvest Noonan: UK and Ireland facilities services provider with a strong security guarding division. Comparable offerings in manned guarding, reception, and mobile patrol, serving retail, corporate, and public-sector clients across similar geographies to Guardforce.

Broad incumbents

• Sodexo (UK Security): Global facilities services and security provider with broad UK footprint. Overlaps with Guardforce on corporate and public-sector guarding but security is part of a much wider FM portfolio rather than a focused offering.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/guardforce_uk

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Guardforce Security Services