How to Choose a Security Company in Kent: A Practical Guide for Businesses and Event Organisers

Choosing the right security provider is an important decision for any business, event organiser, venue manager or production company. The people you appoint may be responsible for protecting staff, visitors, property, equipment and the smooth running of your operation.

Whether you are looking for security guard hire in Kent, event security in Kent or commercial security in Kent, the cheapest quotation is not always the best option. A reliable security company should understand your risks, communicate clearly and provide a service that is properly matched to your assignment.

This guide explains what to look for before appointing a security provider.

1. Start by defining what you need

Before contacting security companies, write down as much information as possible about the assignment. This will help providers give you a more accurate proposal and make it easier to compare quotations.

Consider:

• The location and type of site

• The number of people attending or working there

• The required dates and hours

• The responsibilities of the security team

• Any known risks or previous incidents

• Whether alcohol or regulated entertainment is involved

• Access points, staff entrances and emergency exits

• Whether you need a supervisor or single point of contact

• How incidents should be reported and escalated

Security requirements can vary considerably. A construction site may need overnight guarding and regular patrols, while a festival may need access control, queue management and support with crowd safety. A TV production may require discreet protection for equipment, locations and cast or crew.

A good security company in Kent should take the time to understand these differences rather than offer the same standard service to every client.

2. Check SIA licensing and staff credentials

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) regulates much of the private security industry in the UK. Many front-line security roles require the individual carrying out the work to hold an appropriate SIA licence.

Depending on the assignment, this may include:

• Security guarding

• Door supervision

• Public space surveillance, including CCTV

• Close protection

• Key holding and certain related activities

For example, security guarding may be relevant to a commercial site that is not connected with licensed premises. Door supervision may be required when guarding licensed premises where alcohol is being supplied or regulated entertainment is taking place.

The exact requirements depend on the duties being carried out and the circumstances of the assignment. You can review the latest official information through the GOV.UK guidance on whether an SIA licence is required.

When comparing providers, ask:

• Will the officers assigned to the work hold the correct SIA licences?

• How does the company check that licences are valid?

• What vetting and identity checks are completed?

• What experience do the proposed officers have?

• Will the same team remain on the assignment where possible?

Remember that SIA licensing applies to individuals carrying out licensable work. You should be comfortable asking a provider to confirm how it checks the credentials of the people it deploys.

3. Look for relevant experience

A company may have good general experience but still not be the right fit for your particular assignment. Ask for examples of work similar to yours.

For an event, relevant experience could include:

• Festivals and concerts

• Sporting events

• Corporate events

• VIP functions

• Licensed venues

• Access control and ticket checking

• Queue and crowd management

• Backstage or restricted-area security

For a commercial site, you may want experience in:

• Offices and business parks

• Warehouses and logistics sites

• Construction sites

• Retail premises

• Reception security

• Manned guarding

• Mobile patrols

• Key holding and alarm response

Production companies may need a provider familiar with:

• TV and film locations

• Equipment protection

• Unit bases and production offices

• Restricted access

• Parking and vehicle movements

• Discreet work around cast, crew and members of the public

Ask potential providers to explain what they actually did on similar assignments. This is more useful than relying only on general statements such as “high-quality security”.

Ask whether they can provide references or examples from previous clients, subject to confidentiality. A professional provider should be able to explain its approach without disclosing sensitive client information.

4. Make sure the service includes proper planning

Security should not begin when the first officer arrives on site. Good planning is one of the most important parts of an effective assignment.

For events, the provider should be able to contribute to a suitable risk assessment and security plan. This may consider:

• Entrances and exits

• Queuing arrangements

• Crowd movement

• Restricted areas

• Emergency access

• Staff deployment

• Communications

• Incident procedures

• Evacuation arrangements

• Changing risks during the event

The Health and Safety Executive’s event safety guidance explains the importance of assessing crowd risks throughout arrival, circulation, exit and dispersal. It also highlights the need for clear responsibilities, monitoring and emergency arrangements.

For commercial security, planning may include:

• A site familiarisation visit

• Patrol routes

• Opening and closing procedures

• Key control

• Visitor and contractor access

• Incident reporting

• Escalation contacts

• Response to suspicious activity

• Handover arrangements between shifts

Be cautious if a company provides a price without asking questions about the site or assignment. A tailored security plan is usually a sign that the provider is taking the work seriously.

5. Ask about contingency planning

Even with careful preparation, circumstances can change. A member of staff may be unavailable, the event may become busier than expected, severe weather may affect the site, or an incident may require additional support.

Ask the provider:

• What happens if an officer is ill or delayed?

• Is there an on-call contact?

• Can additional officers be supplied if needed?

• How are changes communicated?

• What happens if the risk level increases?

• Who has authority to make operational decisions?

• How are incidents escalated to the client?

A reliable security company should have sensible contingency arrangements and explain them clearly. You do not need a complicated document, but you do need to know what will happen when the original plan has to change.

6. Consider communication and reporting

Security officers are often the first people visitors, contractors or members of the public meet. They should be approachable, professional and able to communicate effectively.

Communication is also important behind the scenes. Find out:

• Who will be your main contact?

• Will you receive a briefing before the assignment?

• How often will you receive updates?

• How are incidents recorded?

• Will you receive a written report?

• How quickly will serious incidents be notified?

• How will feedback be handled?

For longer assignments, regular reviews can help identify changes in risk or improvements to the service. For one-day events, a clear pre-event briefing and post-event report may be more appropriate.

Good reporting should be factual, clear and useful. It should help you understand what happened, what action was taken and whether any follow-up is required.

7. Check insurance and business documentation

Before appointing a provider, ask for evidence of appropriate insurance. This commonly includes public liability insurance, particularly where security staff will work around members of the public, client property or busy premises.

If a provider employs staff, employers’ liability insurance may also be required under UK rules. You can read the latest official information on employers’ liability insurance on GOV.UK.

You should check:

• The policy is current

• The level of cover meets your contract requirements

• The work being carried out is covered

• The business name matches the provider you are appointing

• Any additional requirements from your insurer or venue are met

Insurance does not replace good security planning, but it is an important part of checking that a provider operates responsibly.

8. Do not choose on price alone

Cost will naturally be part of your decision, but it should not be the only factor. Very low pricing may indicate that the provider has misunderstood the assignment, allowed too little time for planning or cannot provide the level of experience required.

When comparing quotations, look at:

• Number of officers

• Hours of cover

• Supervisor provision

• Planning and site visits

• Reporting arrangements

• Travel or additional charges

• Cancellation terms

• Minimum booking periods

• Out-of-hours support

• Any contingency arrangements

Ask for a clear written quotation that explains what is included. If two prices are very different, ask why. Comparing the scope of service is more useful than comparing hourly rates alone.

9. Choose a provider that understands your business

Security should support your wider operation. Officers need to understand your priorities, customer expectations and working environment.

At Askew Security Group, our approach is client-focused and based on practical experience. The founder’s background includes service in the RAF Regiment, including operational experience on Operation Herrick in Afghanistan, followed by work in commercial security, events, Royal Ascot and television production environments.

This experience is supported by a background in project management, business development and customer-facing business roles. It helps us understand that security is not just about a visible presence. It is also about preparation, judgement, communication and professionalism.

Our long-term aim is to provide trusted security support across Kent, the wider South East and, over time, further afield. This includes support for events, commercial premises, access control, site security and TV and film production work.

A simple checklist before you appoint a security company

Before making a decision, ask yourself:

• Have I clearly explained the assignment?

• Will the staff have the correct SIA licences for their duties?

• Has the provider demonstrated relevant experience?

• Have they asked questions about the site and risks?

• Is there a written risk assessment or security plan where appropriate?

• Are contingency arrangements clear?

• Do I know who to contact during the assignment?

• Will incidents be recorded and reported?

• Have I seen evidence of appropriate insurance?

• Is the quotation clear and itemised?

• Does the provider appear professional and reliable?

The right provider should give you confidence before the assignment begins, not create more uncertainty.

If you are considering event security in Kent, commercial security in Kent, security guard hire or support for a TV or film production, contact Askew Security Group for an initial conversation. We would be happy to discuss your requirements and provide practical advice on the right level of security support for your assignment.