HOW TO HIRE · EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT

How to hire an event security firm in the UK
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.

Contracted event security staff need an SIA licence. Here is how to check it, what to ask and what the quote must say.

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THE 60-SECOND VERSION

Hiring an event security firm in five steps

  1. Check every guard on the SIA registerBy the 16-digit licence number, or surname, date of birth and role.
  2. Match the licence to the roleDoor supervision for controlling entry; security guarding does not cover it.
  3. Ask your venue and licenceGuard numbers the licence or council asks for.
  4. Get a written security planNumbers, positions, searches, radio and incidents.
  5. Agree shifts and overtimeMinimum shifts, breaks and rates.

BEFORE YOU BOOK

Check before you book

SIA licence

Under the Private Security Industry Act 2001, contracted security guards, door supervisors, CCTV monitoring staff, close protection and key holders need a licence from the Security Industry Authority, in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland alike.

Search the SIA register by the 16-digit licence number, or by surname, date of birth and role, for every event security guard. gov.uk →

The right sector for each event security role

Each SIA licence covers one sector. A security guarding licence does not cover door supervision, and watching CCTV to guard people or premises needs its own licence. Door supervisors at licensed premises need a licence even when employed in-house.

Check that the sector shown on the register matches what each guard will do at the event. gov.uk →

Public liability insurance for the event security firm

The law does not make public liability cover compulsory for this kind of booking, yet most venues write a minimum into their supplier rules. Event venues and licensing authorities often ask for it, along with a written security plan.

Get the venue's minimum in writing and match it against the event security firm's current certificate.

Trader status and cancellation terms

Booking an event security firm means dealing with a trader, and under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 the work must be done with reasonable care and skill. The usual 14-day right to cancel a distance or doorstep contract rarely helps here, because regulation 28 of the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 leaves out leisure and catering services tied to a particular date; the event security firm's terms are what count.

Check, in writing, how much of the event security firm's deposit is refundable and by what date. legislation.gov.uk →

VAT

Security guarding at events is standard-rated at 20%. Among event security firms, any with taxable turnover above £90,000 must be registered, add the VAT and show it apart from the net figure.

Ask the security firm for its VAT number and check VAT is shown under the guard hours, not inside the hourly rate. gov.uk →

“Will every guard hold an SIA licence for the role?”

A good answer: Yes, with licence numbers sent by the event security firm before the day.

“Is it a door supervision licence for anyone controlling entry?”

A good answer: Yes — a guarding licence does not cover door work.

“How many guards for our numbers and layout?”

A good answer: A figure from the event security firm based on crowd, exits and alcohol.

“Will you write a security plan?”

A good answer: Positions, searches, incident reporting and contacts.

“Is the event security firm insured?”

A good answer: Public liability cover named.

“What are minimum shifts and overtime?”

A good answer: In writing.

“Who is the supervisor on the day?”

A good answer: A named, licensed supervisor.

Getting the quote right

  • Number of guards, roles and SIA licence sectors for the event security
  • Shift times, minimum hours and overtime rate
  • Supervisor, radios and any search kit
  • Security plan and risk assessment
  • Deposit and cancellation terms
  • The security firm's VAT number, with VAT under guard hours and supervision
  • Who actually attends: the named supervisor and guards, and whether they are employed or subcontracted to another firm

Walk away if

  • Guards without SIA licences, or numbers that do not check out
  • A guarding licence for door work
  • No security plan
  • No named supervisor
LOW
£16
TYPICAL
£24
HIGH
£40

What an event security firm costs: £16–£40 per guard

Event security is priced per guard, by the hour with a minimum shift; supervisors, night rates and planning add to it. Event Security price guide →

Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.

KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE

Event security firms near you, with the badges that matter shown

ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.

Or post the job free and let them come to you.

  1. PlanThe event security firm agrees numbers, positions and the security plan.
  2. BriefGuards briefed on the site, exits and contacts; SIA badges worn.
  3. Doors openEntry controlled by door supervisors; searches as agreed.
  4. DuringPatrols and incidents logged.
  5. CloseGuests out safely, incident log handed over.

SIA
Security Industry Authority, which licenses security staff.
Door supervisor
Licensed to control entry and guard.
Security guard licence
Covers guarding, not door supervision.
Steward
Crowd guidance without licensable security duties.
Security plan
Written plan of guard numbers and duties.
Incident log
Record of incidents during the event.

AFTER

When the job is done

Keep the licence listThe SIA numbers of the guards who worked the event.
Read the incident logAsk the event security firm for it.
Check hoursTimesheets against the invoice.
Leave the reviewRate the event security firm once the event is over — reviews on Locufy are limited to booked jobs. If something went wrong, the make-it-right step comes first: the event security firm is asked to put it right before the review goes live.

STEP 1Put it to the event security firm in writingPut the problem — unlicensed guards, too few staff, no supervisor — to the event security firm in an email, with dates and what you are asking for. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 treats every service contract as promising reasonable care and skill (section 49), and section 56 lets you ask for an appropriate reduction where a repeat is impossible.
STEP 2Use the make-it-right step on LocufyRate the event security firm below four stars and you are asked whether to send the problem to them first; we follow it through, then your review is published.
STEP 3Unlicensed security workReport unlicensed guards to the Security Industry Authority. For service problems, no ombudsman covers event security firms. If the trader will not engage, Citizens Advice (0808 223 1133) covers England and Wales, Advice Direct Scotland (0808 800 9060) covers Scotland, and Consumerline (0300 123 6262) covers Northern Ireland; each can pass a complaint about event security firms to Trading Standards.
STEP 4Money the event security firm will not returnMoney still owed by the event security firm can be claimed through the small-claims routes: up to £10,000 on the small claims track in England and Wales, up to £5,000 under simple procedure in the sheriff court in Scotland, and up to £5,000 in the small claims court in Northern Ireland.

Hiring an event security firm: questions people ask

Yes, when supplied under contract: security guarding and door supervision are licensable activities under the Private Security Industry Act 2001, in all four nations.

Not at licensed premises: door supervisors there need an SIA licence even if employed in-house.

£16 to £40 per guard, typically around £24. The event security price guide shows what pushes a quote up or down; enter your town above to see event security firms near you.

Search the SIA register online by the 16-digit licence number, or by surname, date of birth and role.

No. Door supervision needs a door supervisor licence.

They must be trained and licensed before they start. Report concerns to the SIA.

MORE GUIDES

More hiring guides in events & entertainment

How to hire: Event Staff & HostessesHow to hire: Event PlannerHow to hire: Corporate Event PlannerHow to hire: Mobile Bar HireHow to hire: Stage HireHow to hire: Marquee HireHow to hire: Fire PerformerHow to hire: MC / ToastmasterAll 701 hiring guides →

Event security firms near you

Event security firms in LondonEvent security firms in ManchesterEvent security firms in BirminghamEvent security firms in GlasgowEvent security firms in BelfastAll event security firms on Locufy →

Sources — checked October 2026

  1. gov.uk — check security staff have a licence
  2. gov.uk — find out if you need an SIA licence
  3. Private Security Industry Act 2001, Schedule 2 — the licensable activities
  4. Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, regulation 28 — contracts the cancellation right does not cover
  5. Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 49 — reasonable care and skill
  6. gov.uk — make a court claim for money: court fees
  7. mygov.scot — make a court claim for money
  8. nidirect — small claims process
  9. Citizens Advice — more help with a consumer issue (England)
  10. VAT rates — VAT rates for goods and services: standard rate 20% on most goods and services
  11. GOV.UK — Register for VAT: when to register