What City Group Security does

City Group Security is a UK private security and facilities services company founded in 1993 and headquartered in Ipswich, Suffolk, with operational density concentrated in London, Cambridge, and the South East. The company delivers integrated manned security services across four primary customer segments — commercial real estate, education, rural/renewable energy sites, and residential buildings with fire-safety concerns — through SIA-licensed static officers, mobile patrols, key holding and alarm response, waking watch fire patrols, and reception/front-of-house staff. Its specialist canine division, K9 Patrol Ltd (formed 2009, wholly owned), provides self-delivered (non-subcontracted) general purpose security dogs and detection dogs covering drugs, explosives, firearms, pyrotechnics, tobacco, cash, cadaver, bed bugs and illegal immigrants, primarily serving remote agricultural and renewable energy sites where CCTV is insufficient. The company also offers bundled cleaning services to create an integrated Security-and-Cleaning 'One-Team' offering.

The underlying technology layer is operational rather than data-driven: GPS-monitored patrols feed back to a 24/7 control room for real-time officer visibility, and bespoke officer recruitment involves face-to-face interviews with customer participation. The company holds a dense credential stack that functions as its primary commercial moat — SIA Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) status, NSI Gold certification (covering ISO 9001:2015, BS 10800, BS 7499, BS 7858, BS 7984), Constructionline membership, SafeContractor approval, FPA membership, RoSPA membership, and NASDU inspected company status for K9 operations.

City Group Security operates a sales-led, direct B2B go-to-market with a dedicated Sales Director and Group Commercial Director targeting enterprise and mid-market clients. Pricing is bespoke per client based on site assessment, with services contracted under multi-year agreements and managed at site level by dedicated contract managers. The company was acquired by OCS in May 2026 with 600 employees transferring as part of the deal; prior ownership was private. Revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

City Group Security

Legal name

City Group Security Ltd

Website

https://citygroupsecurity.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

City Group Security is a UK private security firm founded in 1993 delivering SIA-licensed manned guarding, mobile patrols, K9 detection services, and bundled cleaning to commercial real estate, education, residential, and renewable energy clients across London and the South East, acquired by OCS in May 2026.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Security Services

NAICS

Security Guards and Patrol Services (561612), Investigation, Guard, and Armored Car Services (56161), Investigation and Security Services (5616)

SIC

Services-Detective, Guard & Armored Car Services (7381), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744), Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Patrol & Perimeter Security K9 Services (BPAKAKAB), Residential & Community Guarding (HOAs, Gated Communities) (BPAKAAAE), Gated Community & HOA Security Services (HSAHAKAD)

Keywords

• Manned security guarding
• Mobile patrol services
• Canine security units
• Key holding alarm response
• Waking watch fire watch

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Manned Security Guarding Services: Provision of SIA-licensed static security officers deployed 24 hours a day to public and private real estate. Revenue is generated through contracted service agreements, typically with dedicated contract managers per client.
2. Specialist K9 / Canine Security Services: Self-delivered canine security operations including static dog units, mobile patrols, drug detection, explosive detection, farm security, and trespasser eviction services. Dog handler recruitment is conducted on a PAYE basis.
3. Cleaning Services: Specialist cleaning services provided alongside security, creating a combined One-Team approach. Eco cleaning products are used to support carbon neutral objectives.
4. Mobile Patrols and Alarm Response: Random or scheduled mobile security patrol visits, alarm response services, and key holding. Pricing varies client to client based on bespoke requirements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

City Group Security provides SIA-licensed manned guarding and integrated facilities services across the UK, with primary operational density in London and the South East. The portfolio spans static security officers, mobile patrols, key holding and alarm response, 24-hour monitoring, waking watch/fire watch, vacant property inspections, reception/front-of-house, and bespoke security solutions. Its K9 Patrol subsidiary delivers specialist canine security including detection dogs and farm security, while cleaning services are bundled for a combined Security and Cleaning One-Team approach.

Product overview

City Group Security is a UK-based manned security and facilities services company operating as a unified offering of core security services alongside specialist sub-brands. Its core portfolio encompasses SIA-licensed static security officers, mobile patrols, key holding and alarm response, 24-hour monitoring, vacant property inspections, reception/front-of-house, waking watch/fire watch, and bespoke security solutions — all delivered primarily across Cambridge and Greater London. The K9 Patrol sub-brand, established in 2009, provides specialist canine security services including general purpose patrol dogs and detection dogs (drugs, explosives, pyrotechnics, tobacco, firearms, cash, illegal immigrants, bed bugs, cadaver), plus farm security and trespasser eviction services. Cleaning services are offered as a bundled add-on to create a one-team facilities approach. The overall offering is an integrated facilities management model combining manned guarding, canine units, and support services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• K9 Patrol: Specialist canine security services division providing detection dogs, security patrols, farm security, mobile response units, and dog handler recruitment. K9 Patrol holds NSI Gold accreditation and NASDU membership.

Products and services

• Static Security Officers SIA-licensed static security officers deployed 24 hours a day to public and private real estate, following structured patrol schedules to prevent incidents and protect property. Targeted at commercial real estate, NHS hospitals, and enterprise clients.
• Mobile Patrols Randomised or scheduled mobile security patrols conducted by SIA-licensed officers across Cambridge and Greater London, serving as a visible crime deterrent for commercial and private real estate.
• Key Holding and Alarm Response Services Secure key holding with a fast-response service for triggered intruder alarms, with officers conducting full external and internal site patrols and managing support service requirements.
• Bespoke Security Custom-tailored security services built to client-specific procedures, with personnel selected through face-to-face interviews, stringent screening, and induction training, often involving clients in the recruitment process.
• 24-Hour Monitoring and Security Patrols Round-the-clock manned guarding with officers varying patrol routes and schedules, providing static guard services, energy efficiency checks, and incident logging across public and private properties. GPS-monitored patrols feed back to the control room.
• Vacant Property Inspections Tailored inspections of vacant properties including maintenance reporting patrols, health and safety checks, supervised contractor visits, and incident management with next-morning reporting.
• Reception/Front of House Professional front-of-house security officers trained in customer service and business support skills, available in branded or unbranded uniforms, handling telephone answering, visitor sign-in, and access control.
• Waking Watch / Fire Watch 24/7 fire safety and prevention service including fire wardens, fire marshals, and patrolmen conducting inspections, risk assessments, real-time monitoring, and GPS-monitored patrols for residential and commercial properties.
• K9 Patrol - Security Dogs and Detection Dogs Canine security services including static dog units, mobile patrol dogs, drug detection (passive and proactive), explosive detection, farm security, and rapid response units. Includes general purpose security dogs trained in tracking, search, protection, and handler protection.
• Farm Security (Wind and Solar) Security solutions for remote rural and renewable energy farms using static dog-handling teams, mobile dog patrols, and rapid response to intrusions, targeting wind and solar farm locations that CCTV alone cannot adequately protect.
• Trespassers/Intruders Eviction Fast eviction services for trespassers and intruders using lawful and ethical bailiff procedures, without requiring a court order, including consultation on best methods of regaining premises control.
• Mobile Security Patrols (K9 Patrol) Mobile dog unit response services for alarm activations, perimeter and site searches, alarm response and keyholding for properties across the UK, with nationwide short- and long-term roles.
• Cleaning Services Specialist cleaning services across all sectors with eco-friendly products and suppliers, offered as a combined Security and Cleaning approach providing a One-Team feel for clients.

Quantifiable outcome

• One security dog and handler can effectively replace three static security guards, making canine units a cost-effective security solution.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• WalkSafeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with WalkSafe, a safety app with additional built-in features to support user journeys. City Group Security refers clients and employees to the WalkSafe app for personal safety and location-sharing features.
• Stamp Out Spiking (Dawn Dines)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing drink covers and educational materials on spiking risks and legislation. Dawn Dines, CEO of Stamp Out Spiking, has championed legislation and educates people on the risks. City Group Security supports this initiative and refers clients to learn more and become members.
• The Green OrganisationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold members of The Green Organisation, a UK-based environmental membership body. As part of membership, City Group Security has planted 344 trees in conjunction with the UN-inspired Trillion Trees Campaign and GiftTrees, supporting reforestation in emerging nations and disaster recovery regions.
• Women's AidminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity partnership with Women's Aid, a leading national charity working to end domestic violence. City Group Security donated old security uniforms for the charity's 'Too Many Names' memorial display during 16 days of Action against male violence towards women and girls, supporting domestic abuse survivors and workforce reintegration programs.
• K9 Patrol LtdcoreOthersK9 Patrol Ltd is the specialist canine security division of City Group Security, providing detection dogs (drugs, explosives, firearms, pyrotechnics, tobacco, cash, cadaver, bed bugs, illegal immigrants), static and mobile K9 patrols, farm security, and trespasser eviction services. Formed in 2009, K9 Patrol operates nationally with NASDU Level 2 qualified handlers on PAYE contracts.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Mitie Security: UK-based security and facilities services provider offering manned guarding, mobile patrols, and key holding across commercial real estate, healthcare and public sector — directly overlapping City Group Security's core SIA-licensed officer offering and London-centric enterprise client base.
• Cordant Security: UK-based provider of SIA-licensed manned guarding, key holding, mobile patrols and security consultancy to commercial, public sector and residential clients — closely comparable service mix and client profile to City Group Security.
• Bidvest Noonan: UK-focused security, cleaning and support services business delivering manned guarding, mobile patrols and integrated facilities management to enterprise and public sector clients, including London commercial real estate.
• Kingdom Services Group: UK security and cleaning services provider offering SIA-licensed officers, mobile patrols, key holding and canine units, with similar focus on commercial and residential clients across the UK.
• Profile Security Services: UK-based SIA ACS-approved manned guarding, mobile patrol and concierge security firm serving London commercial and residential clients — directly overlapping City Group Security's London-centric SIA-licensed officer proposition.
• Atlas FM (formerly Axis Security): UK security and front-of-house services provider (acquired from Axis Group, where City Group Security's CEO Simon Giles previously led an MBO) operating in the same manned guarding and corporate security niche across London.
• Carlisle Support Services: UK security and support services firm providing SIA-licensed guarding, mobile patrols and front-of-house services to commercial and public sector clients, with comparable operations across England.

Broad incumbents

• Securitas UK: Large global security firm operating across the UK with manned guarding, mobile patrols, and specialist services; competes with City Group Security for enterprise and commercial real estate contracts at a national scale.
• Allied Universal (UK/G4S): One of the largest UK security and facility services companies (incorporating the former G4S UK operations) offering manned guarding, canine units, and integrated facilities services, overlapping with City Group Security's full-service model.

Others

• OCS Group: Parent company (acquirer of City Group Security in May 2026) and UK/international facilities management group; comparable as a broad integrated FM provider but now an owner rather than direct competitor, and the relevant exit/scale benchmark for the company.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/citygroupsecurity

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 City Group Security