Mark Donovan · 18 December 2025
A static guard typically costs £14–£22 an hour fully loaded. A monitored detection package with verified keyholder response often comes in at a fraction of that — but only when the site profile suits it.
We use a simple decision matrix: footfall, asset value, regulatory presence requirement, and incident history over the last 24 months. Three out of four pointing to 'guard' is usually conclusive.
The honest answer is rarely 'all one or all the other'. Most of our clients run a hybrid: monitoring overnight, guarding for the operational hours that demand a human face.