Mobile Patrols vs Static Guarding: Which Does Your Site Need?

Typical duties include controlling access at a gate or reception, monitoring CCTV on site, conducting internal and external foot patrols, managing visitors and contractors, carrying out lock-up checks and responding immediately to incidents. The officer works to written assignment instructions and records activity in a daily occurrence log or digital reporting system. See security guarding.

At each visit they check the perimeter, doors, windows and gates, look for signs of intrusion or damage, carry out any agreed internal checks, and record the visit. Visits can be scheduled at fixed times (for example to lock or unlock), randomised to avoid predictability, or both. Patrol vehicles are typically marked for visibility. See mobile security patrols.

• You need someone controlling access continuously, such as a gatehouse at a distribution centre or a staffed reception in an office building.
• Assets are high value or easily removed, and an intrusion of even a few minutes would be costly.
• Incidents are frequent, so a periodic visit would arrive after the damage is done.
• People need help on site: staff, visitors or the public expect a visible, approachable officer.
• A contract or insurer requires it for a particular period, such as during a high-risk construction phase.

• The premises are closed out of hours and you need regular confirmation that they are secure.
• The property is vacant and needs inspections and visible activity. See vacant property security planning.
• The risk is low to medium and continuous presence would be disproportionate.
• You need lock and unlock at fixed times without a full shift.
• Budget is limited and needs to stretch across several sites.

A typical static guarding shift

An officer arrives, takes a handover from the previous shift, reads any updates to the assignment instructions and checks equipment. Through the shift they control access, carry out timed patrols of the building and perimeter, respond to alarms and incidents, record visitors and deliveries, and complete a daily occurrence log. At the end of the shift they hand over to the next officer. Supervisors visit periodically to check standards and welfare.

A typical patrol visit

The patrol officer arrives at a time set by the schedule or chosen at random, checks the perimeter, gates and external doors, looks for signs of intrusion, damage or fly-tipping, and carries out any agreed internal checks such as confirming the alarm is set and no water leaks are visible. The visit is recorded, including time on site, findings and any action, and anything requiring attention is reported to the client.

A useful report records:

• the date and time of each visit or patrol, and how long the officer was on site;
• the areas checked;
• anything found, with photographs where helpful;
• the action taken and who was informed;
• recommendations, such as a damaged fence panel or failed lighting.

Reports that only say “all secure” at every visit give little assurance. See security incident reporting explained.

Common combinations include:

• a static officer during operating hours, with mobile patrols overnight;
• static cover on the main site and patrols to satellite units or car parks;
• mobile patrols supported by remote CCTV monitoring, so that a camera alert can trigger a patrol visit;
• patrols plus keyholding and alarm response, so that the same provider attends alarm activations between scheduled visits.

The combination should follow the risk. A risk assessment that identifies when the site is most exposed, what is at risk and what response is needed will usually point to the most cost-effective mix. Our warehouse security risk assessment guide explains a scoring method you can apply to any site.

HSE guidance says employers must manage the health and safety risks before anyone works alone. Ask any provider how its officers check in during a shift, what happens if a check call is missed, how officers are supported when they find an intruder or an open building, and when a second officer or police attendance is required rather than an officer entering alone.

1. When is the site most at risk: during operating hours, overnight, weekends or shutdowns?
2. What would a short, undetected intrusion cost?
3. Does anyone need to control access continuously?
4. Are there existing alarms or CCTV that a patrol could respond to?
5. How many visits a night would give meaningful assurance, and at what times?
6. What will you need in reports to satisfy your insurer, landlord or customer?

Mobile patrols are usually charged per visit or as a monthly fee for an agreed number of visits, because the vehicle and officer are shared across a route. Our guide to security guard costs explains the components of a guarding rate.

Patrol officers use wearable digital patrol recording and a digital report is produced for each visit, with 24-hour control room support. Services are available across the UK, with mobilisation agreed per site. To discuss the right mix for your premises, request a quote.