As security becomes more complex, businesses in London and the UK need to understand the legal boundaries of security guards. Whether you’re considering hiring security staff in London or want to know your rights during encounters, this guide outlines the laws governing private security services.
We at Shergroup take pride in offering professional, SIA-approved security services while staying within the law at all times. Our skilled team knows that good security isn’t just about being there; it’s also about knowing exactly what actions are legal and when they should be taken.
Understanding the Authority of Security Guards in the UK
Security guards possess distinct legal powers from police officers, defining different responsibilities. UK law restricts and regulates their authority, even though they are valuable crime deterrents and can respond to incidents. This distinction is significant in London, where varying businesses demand tailored security.
The laws that govern security personnel
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is in charge of the private security industry in England and Wales. It makes sure that all security guards meet certain training and licensing standards. This set of rules makes it clear what security guards can and can’t do to keep the public safe and respect people’s rights.
What Security Guards Can Legally Do
Access Control and Property Protection
The main job of security services in London is to protect property and control who can enter buildings. Property owners give security guards the power to:
• Keep an eye on and patrol certain areas
• Control who can enter and leave
• Ask visitors for ID
• Tell people to leave private property
• Give verbal warnings for bad behaviour • Keep records of incidents and security logs.
This delegated authority is the basis for most security operations. It lets guards keep order while staying within the law.
Are security guards allowed to touch you? Knowing the laws about physical contact
People often ask security guards about their powers when it comes to touching people. The answer depends on the situation:
When Security Guards Are Allowed to Touch People |
1. Self-defence situations: Guards can use reasonable force to protect themselves from being attacked.
2. Keeping others safe: It may be okay to physically intervene to keep other people from getting hurt.
3. Stopping serious crime—guards can step in and stop crimes that are already happening.
4. Citizen’s arrest situations—physical restraint may be needed when someone is lawfully detained
When Touching Is Not Allowed |
• Routine security checks or questioning
• Telling people to leave the premises (verbal instructions should be enough)
• Searching people without their permission
• Scaring or forcing people to do things
What You Need to Know About Detention Powers
Security guards can only detain people in certain situations. They can legally hold people when:
• They see a crime being committed
• They have good reason to think someone has committed a serious crime
• They need to stop someone from hurting people or property right away
• They are using their citizen’s arrest powers
Key rules for detention include: it must be brief, police must be called without delay, detainees must be informed of the reason, and only reasonable force should be used.
Are security guards allowed to use handcuffs? Rules for Restraint Equipment
In the UK, security guards are not allowed to use handcuffs very often. Security guards can only use handcuffs when:
• They are making a citizen’s arrest
• The person is a real threat to escape
• There is an immediate threat to the guard or others
• They have finished the right training
• Handcuffs must be put on correctly to avoid injury
• Circulation must be checked often
• If someone gets hurt, they must get medical help
• Detailed incident reports must be filled out
Arrest by a citizen | Duties and Rights
Security guards have the same rights to make a citizen’s arrest as anyone else. They can arrest someone without a warrant if they see them committing an indictable offence, have good reason to believe they have committed an indictable offence, or if the arrest is necessary to keep the person from getting away before the police arrive.
Important rules for citizen’s arrest |
1. The guard must really think that a crime has happened
2. The arrest must be necessary; the person can’t just be told to wait.
3. You need to call the police right away.
4. Only reasonable force is allowed
Using Reasonable Force
Security guards can use reasonable force in some situations, but this power is very limited. Force must be:
• In line with the threat faced
• Necessary to reach a valid security goal
• Reasonable given the situation
• As little invasive as possible while still being effective
Situations where using reasonable force might be okay |
• Protecting yourself from physical attack
• Protecting others from immediate harm
• Stopping serious damage to property
• Helping a lawful citizen’s arrest
What Security Guards Can’t Do by Law
Things a Security Guard Should Never Do Actions That Are Not Allowed
It’s just as important to know what you can’t do as it is to know what you can do. Manned security guards are not allowed to:
Without limits being held
Security guards can’t keep someone forever. Detention must be:
• For the shortest amount of time that makes sense
• Until the police arrive (usually within 30 minutes)
• Based on the situation at the time
• Properly documented
Too much or unreasonable force
Security guards should never use:
• Force to punish or scare someone
• Too much physical restraint
• Choking or strangling techniques
• Weapons that aren’t allowed
• Language that is discriminatory or abusive
Restrictions on tasers and weapons for security guards
Are security guards allowed to carry tasers?
The answer is usually no. In the UK, security guards in London are not allowed to carry:
• Tasers or stun guns
• Guns (unless you have a special licence)
• Batons or truncheons (unless you have a special licence)
• CS gas or pepper spray
• Knives or other weapons
There are only a few exceptions, such as:
• Cash-in-transit services (with the right licenses)
• High-risk government contracts
• Specialist close protection services
• Specific security jobs in the industry
Can security guards look through your things? What you can and can’t do when you search
Security guards don’t have many powers to search people.
They can’t:
• Search people without their permission
• Force people to let them search
• Search personal items without permission
• Strip search or intimate search • Search cars without the owner’s permission
Limited search powers include |
• Searching property that isn’t being watched in suspicious situations
• Searches with permission at the entrance to an event
• Searches in an emergency to avoid immediate danger
• Searches that happen when someone is legally arrested
Violations of data protection and privacy
Modern security companies must follow the rules set out by the GDPR and UK data protection laws. Security guards can’t:
• Record conversations without permission
• Share CCTV footage inappropriately
• Collect personal data without reason
• Access private communications
• Take pictures of people without a good reason
Security Guards in London | Things to Think About
London security services work in a one-of-a-kind setting that requires special knowledge. London’s many different business areas, large number of tourists, and complicated transport systems make things harder for security staff.
Things to think about in the city
Security guards in London have to deal with:
• Multiple local authority jurisdictions
• High-density commercial areas
• International visitors who don’t know UK law
• Complex transport hubs with specific rules
• Cultural diversity that requires careful handling
Requirements for a Certain Industry
Different types of businesses in London have different security needs:
• Focus on preventing loss
• Integration of customer service
• Protocols for responding to shoplifting
• Procedures for handling cash
Corporate Security |
• Systems for controlling access
• Managing visitors
• Procedures for evacuating in an emergency
• Protecting private information
Event Security |
• Ways to keep crowds under control
• Planning for emergencies
• Handling incidents involving alcohol • Protecting VIPs
• Control who can get on the site
• Protect equipment
• Follow health and safety rules
• Stop vandalism
How to Choose Professional Security Services
When choosing security services in London, keep these important things in mind:
Licensing and training by the SIA
All real security guards must have current SIA licenses that show:
• Finished the required training
• Passed the background check
• Qualifications that are specific to a sector
• Continuing education for professionals
Insurance and Coverage for Liability
Security companies should offer:
• Insurance for public liability
• Coverage for professional liability
• Coverage for employer liability
• Provision of equipment and uniforms
Knowledge and Experience in the Area
Security guards in London should have |
• Knowing how to get in touch with emergency services
• Knowing how to use public transport • Cultural sensitivity training • Knowing how to speak the language when necessary
Best Ways to Deploy Security Guards
Planning and Assessing Risks
A full risk assessment is the first step to good security:
1. Threat identification: Knowing what specific risks your property faces
2. Vulnerability analysis: finding possible security holes
3. Impact assessment: figuring out what happens when security is broken
4. Mitigation strategies—coming up with the right ways to respond
Training and Learning
Security guards stay effective by getting regular training:
• Sessions to keep up with the law
• Techniques for de-escalation
• Procedures for responding to emergencies
• Skills for customer service • Using technology
Watching Performance
Regular evaluations keep service quality up:
• Analysing incident reports
• Evaluating client feedback
• Keeping track of performance metrics
• Starting projects for continuous improvement
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: If security guards think I’m shoplifting, can they hold me?
Yes, security guards can stop you if they have good reason to think you stole something. But they have to call the police right away, and they can only use the amount of force that is reasonable to stop you from getting away.
Q: Is it okay for security guards to ask for my personal information?
Security guards can ask for your personal information, but you don’t have to give it to them unless they are legally holding you. If you don’t give information on private property, you may be asked to leave.
Q: Is it okay for a security guard to look through my bag at a mall?
Without your permission, security guards cannot look through your bag. But they can ask you to let them search you, and if you don’t, they might ask you to leave or not let you in.
Q: What should I do if a guard uses too much force?
If you think a security guard used too much force, you should call the police right away and think about getting legal help. If you can, write down any injuries and get the names of any witnesses.
Q: Can security guards see CCTV footage of me?
As part of their jobs, security guards can watch live CCTV feeds, but they can’t access recorded footage unless they follow data protection laws. You have the right to ask for access to footage that shows you.
Q: Do security guards have more power on private property?
Security guards have more power on private property because the property owner has given them that power. This includes asking people to leave and controlling who can enter, but their powers to detain and arrest people are the same as they are in public places.
Q: What will happen to security services in the future?
As technology improves and crime patterns change, the security industry keeps changing. More and more, security guards in the UK use:
• Advanced surveillance systems
• Biometric access controls
• Artificial intelligence monitoring
• Mobile reporting platforms
• Emergency communication systems
These changes make security more effective while still following the law.
Summing Up | professional security within the law
It is important for both security companies and the general public to know what security guards can and can’t do legally. At Shergroup, we make sure that our security guards in London and all over the UK follow the law while still protecting your business and employees effectively.
Our SIA-approved security guards get a lot of training on what they can and can’t do legally. This makes sure they can handle security issues in a way that respects people’s rights. We are proud to offer professional security services in London that keep you safe while also following the law.
Our experienced team can help you with retail security, corporate protection, event security, or construction site monitoring. We will work with you to find the best solution that meets your needs while staying within the law.
Are you ready to improve your security with professional services that follow the law? Get in touch with Shergroup right away to talk to one of our business solutions advisors about your security needs. Our team of experts will look at your needs and suggest the best security measures that will keep you safe while still following the law.
Call us at 020 3588 4240 or go to our website to ask for a consultation and find out why businesses all over London trust Shergroup for their security needs.
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