Security is a specialist service, not a commodity. The company you choose affects the safety of your staff, customers, premises and property, so it is worth asking the right questions before you sign. This guide covers what to check and what to watch out for.
1. SIA licensing: the non-negotiable
In the UK, most security officers and door supervisors must hold a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence for the role they work. Ask for the licence numbers of the officers who will be on your site, and check them yourself on the SIA public register. A company that cannot confirm this quickly is not one to hire.
2. A real, registered company
Check that the company is registered on Companies House, has a real registered address and, if it handles personal data, is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office. A track record matters, but so does openness: a newer company that is transparent about its size and what it can provide can be a better choice than an established one that over-promises.
3. How officers are vetted
Ask how staff are vetted before deployment. At a minimum you should expect right-to-work and identity checks, employment history checks and a DBS check. Some buyers also ask whether vetting follows the BS 7858 standard. Whatever the answer, ask for it in writing.
4. Training and experience
An SIA licence is the legal minimum, not the whole picture. Ask about site-specific briefing, first aid, conflict management and whether the officers have experience in your type of premises. A door supervisor at a late-night venue needs different skills from a receptionist-security officer in an office.
Want to see our credentials?
We are happy to provide our insurance certificates and registration details on request. There is no pressure and no obligation. Ask for our details.
5. Insurance
A security company should carry public liability and employers liability insurance. Ask to see current certificates before the contract starts, and check that the cover suits your site and the work being done.
6. Cover, availability and contingency
Ask what happens if an officer is sick or cannot attend, how quickly extra officers can be arranged, and who you call out of hours. Get answers in writing, and be wary of promises that sound too good. Any honest provider will say that availability depends on the request.
7. References and reviews
Ask for references from comparable customers, read independent reviews such as Google reviews, and check the company's registration. Past performance is one of the best predictors of future reliability.
8. Clear contracts and pricing
Read the contract before signing. Look for notice periods, minimum terms, exit clauses, how rate changes are handled, and exactly what the quoted price includes. Quotes should be itemised so you can compare providers like for like.
Red flags to watch for
- They cannot give you SIA licence numbers for the officers they plan to send
- Prices far below everyone else's, which can point to unlicensed staff or no insurance
- No registered address or Companies House record
- They cannot show current insurance certificates
- Pressure to sign a long contract before seeing your site
- Vague answers about vetting and training
Your pre-contract checklist
- SIA licence numbers verified on the public register
- Company registered and in good standing at Companies House
- Vetting process explained in writing
- Current insurance certificates received
- References or reviews checked
- Contract terms, notice periods and exit clauses read and understood
- Pricing itemised, with nothing vague
- A named point of contact for your account
How GM Secure measures up
GM Secure Ltd is registered in England and Wales (Company No. 15623450) and registered with the ICO (ZB687885). Our officers hold a valid SIA licence for the role they work, are DBS checked and are vetted before deployment, and we carry public liability and employers liability insurance through Hiscox. Certificates are available on request. See our services or ask for a free quote.