PRICE GUIDE · EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT · 2026–2027
Event Security cost in the UK
£16–£40 per guard. Typically £24.
Event security in the UK costs about £16–£40 per guard per hour, with £24 an hour typical for a licensed event steward or door supervisor. Guard numbers, SIA licensing, hours, crowd size and late finishes set the bill.
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HOW MUCH IT COSTS
How much does an event security cost in the UK?
| Low end | £16 | a standard guard on a daytime shift |
|---|---|---|
| Typical | £24 | what most people pay |
| High end | £40 | specialist or late-night cover |
Locufy guide prices for 2026–2027. Updated 2026. A national range, not a quote — enter your town above for real prices from the event suppliers near you.
What moves the price
- SIA licence type — a licensed door supervisor costs more per guard than an unlicensed steward
- Number of guards — crowd size, exits and alcohol on sale decide how many event security staff are needed
- Hours and minimum shifts — most event security firms set a minimum shift of four hours or more per guard
- Late nights and bank holidays — security guards on night shifts and holiday dates are charged at a higher rate
- Specialist roles — close protection, dog handlers and search teams cost far more than standard event security
- Planning work — a risk assessment and security plan for a large event adds to the overall bill
WHAT YOU GET
What an event security booking includes
Takes: Usually booked in shifts of four to twelve hours per guard, covering setup to the last guest leaving. Not included: Radios for your own staff, CCTV, barriers, first aid cover, travel and accommodation for guards and VAT are often charged separately.
WHAT PEOPLE BOOK
Common event security jobs
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Event Security near you, with prices shown
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How to pay less
- Book event security for the busiest hours, such as entry and closing, rather than all day
- Use volunteer stewards for car parking and save licensed guards for doors and bars
- Book event security early, as short-notice and bank holiday shifts cost more
Before you book
- Check every guard holds a valid SIA licence for the role, as door supervision requires one
- Ask the event security firm for its insurance and a written security plan
- Confirm the guard numbers your venue licence or council asks for at events with alcohol
- Agree shift times, breaks, meals and the cost of overtime in writing
Event Security cost: questions people ask
About £16–£40 per guard per hour in the UK, with £24 typical for event security. Standard guards on a daytime shift sit lowest; specialist or late-night cover sits highest.
Most firms book guards in shifts of four to twelve hours, often with a four-hour minimum per guard.
Yes, in most roles. Door supervisors and many security staff at licensed premises or events need a licence from the Security Industry Authority, which covers the whole of the UK.
It depends on the crowd, exits and whether alcohol is sold. Your venue, the council's licensing team or the event safety plan will often set a minimum.
Radios, CCTV, barriers, first aid cover, travel and VAT are commonly listed separately.
They are Locufy guide prices for the UK, based on published UK security guard price guides. They are a national range per guard per hour, not a quote.
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