Guardforce Security Services
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1993
- HeadquartersWatford, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
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.
Guardforce Security Services firmographics
Firmographics- 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
Guardforce Security Services industry classification
Industry- 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
Where Guardforce Security Services is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Watford
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Guardforce Security Services business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Neighbourhood Patrol Service: Evening neighbourhood patrols capturing video footage and liaising with community groups to address anti-social behaviour. Community-funded security service.
- 24/7 Control Room Services: Central monitoring and communication hub supporting both clients and field officers. Provides rapid response coordination and supervisory oversight.
- Retail Security Services: Specialized retail sector security including loss prevention, store detective services, and uniformed presence for retail environments.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Annual | Bespoke quote-based pricing tailored to client requirements |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Guardforce Security Services product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use Guardforce Security Services
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Guardforce Security Services technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability6 records
Feature5 records
Guardforce Security Services partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators7 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Guardforce Security Services competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect 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
Guardforce Security Services social profiles
Digital presenceGuardforce Security Services compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Guardforce Security Services financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Guardforce Security Services leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Guardforce Security Services funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Guardforce Security Services M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Guardforce Security Services
What does Guardforce Security Services do?
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.
Is Guardforce Security Services a public or private company?
Guardforce Security Services is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Guardforce Security Services founded?
Guardforce Security Services was founded in 1993. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Guardforce Security Services based?
Guardforce Security Services is headquartered in Watford, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Guardforce Security Services make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Security Guarding Services are the primary driver. The others are mobile Patrol Services, keyholding and Alarm Response, neighbourhood Patrol Service, 24/7 Control Room Services and retail Security Services.
Who are Guardforce Security Services's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Corps Security, FGH Security, CIS Security, Wilson James, Mitie Security, Securitas UK, Allied Universal (UK), Kingdom Services Group and Bidvest Noonan. Sodexo (UK Security) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Guardforce Security Services have an API?
No public API is recorded for Guardforce Security Services.
What industry is Guardforce Security Services in?
Guardforce Security Services's product category is Manned Security Guarding Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPABAMAA, Manned Guarding & Site Security (Static Guards), with a secondary code of BPAKAAAB, Mobile Patrol & Alarm Response. Its NAICS code is 561612 and its SIC code is 7381.