To make this process easier, try seeking out insurance providers who offer packages tailored specifically to the security industry, providing all the policies you’ll need for your business in one package.

Of course, the ability to offer each private security service will cost you, as you’ll have to find the right licenses, training and staff for each. When you start, it’s likely that you’ll have a limited budget – so choosing one area to specialise in to start with will serve you well.

Once you’re in touch, be clear about why exactly they would benefit from your services, providing tailored information that’s specific to their needs. You might even inform them of a security issue or a threat facing them that you’ve spotted, and explain how you might solve it (but do make sure it’s an actual problem and not something you’ve made up or exaggerated – scare tactics won’t be appreciated!).

You’ll find that, when they’re in need of security services, some organisations will post the opportunity online in the form of a contract, for security businesses to either bid on or apply for.

As a vital service that many people and businesses rely on to keep them safe and give them peace of mind (in the UK, private security operatives outnumber police officers by 18 to one), it’s not a sector you should enter into lightly. And while the barriers to entry are relatively low, and anyone could set up a business in the sector, prior experience in private security is something of a must.

Before applying for a license, however, you’ll need to prove that you’re adequately qualified in your area of security by completing a training course and earning an SIA-approved qualification. Most training courses last for four days and do contain several exams but, without the qualification, your license application won’t be accepted – and your security business will finish before it’s had the chance to begin.

Depending on the nature of your business’ services, you might also need to look into specialist items such as high-visibility jackets, bullet-proof and stab-proof vests and cut-protection leather gloves.

You’ll need to do your research into each one and learn who’s in charge of making security decisions for that company or individual – that’s the person you’ll want to contact.

Trying to win these contracts can be hugely competitive, with plenty of other security businesses vying to grasp the same opportunity – but it’s a good place to start.

By joining, you’ll benefit from the IPSA’s experience, knowledge exchange, training and networking opportunities – and show clients that you’re committed to quality.

You could also consider applying to become a member of a security industry organisation such as the IPSA (International Professional Security Association), which aims to improve and professionalism, quality and training in the security sector.

Of course, the amount you pay your security staff will depend on the service they’re providing – and whether they’re your permanent staff or you’re subcontracting them or hiring freelancers (more on this in section five).

You can capitalise on this by ensuring that you provide the best service possible, and asking your clients to spread the word about you and tell their peers. You can also flip this on its head by asking for your clients to recommend any peers they have who might be in need of security services to you, so that you can get in touch with them and introduce yourself.

As you grow, you’ll find that some of your business will come through word-of-mouth – specifically, clients who you’ve provided an excellent service to will recommend you to their peers.

The SIA offers licenses for a range of security activities, so be sure to apply for all those which cover the services your business will offer.

Now you know the initial first steps to take in order to start a private security business, we hope that you feel inspired to get going, and confident that you can make a success of it.

Research local potential clients (organisations, agencies, individuals or events) who you think would benefit from your security services and cold call them.

Remember, this is a slow process and you’ll have to put in a lot of legwork. Don’t expect everyone you contact to be interested in your service. The important thing is perseverance – even if your twentieth call is the first to yield results, that’s still a success!

When you start your own security business, you might choose to carry out each contract as a security professional yourself – however, as you grow, it’s likely that you’ll need to employ staff so that your business can take on multiple contracts and provide a thorough service.

The standard application fee for an SIA license is £220. In most cases, this will be for a three-year license. Fortunately, if you require more than one license from the body, the SIA can offer a 50% discount on your second application fee.

It’s worth remembering that any security staff you hire to work for your business will also need to hold the correct SIA licenses. As an employer, it’s not your responsibility to organise training and licensing for your staff – but it is down to you to make sure you don’t send an unqualified, unlicensed person out on a job.

You might also want to provide gloves, waterproof coats and woollen hats if your staff are likely to spend a lot of time outdoors in cool temperatures.

If you want your business to appear professional, uniforms are a must. Fortunately, they can be as simple (and inexpensive) as smart shoes, a pair of trousers and a plain polo-shirt with your business’ logo – and possibly the word ‘SECURITY’, depending on whether or not you/your staff will be in public view – printed on it.

Depending on your provider and package, insurance for your security business can cost thousands of pounds – it’s worth shopping around to find one that best suits your needs and budget.

You might also narrow the customers you target down to either public or private (it’s worth noting that private clients often pay better than public organisations, but there may be more competition for their contracts).

Crime tends to hew closely to a tough economy. The unsustainable hardship driven by inflation and the cost of living crisis is likely to see theft and burglaries increasing. In turn, this creates a surge in demand for private security services, which can be anything from bodyguards and patrol officers to CCTV and guard dogs.

Having the appropriate insurance is crucial because it: a) covers your business against a range of potentially costly issues, b) means that you’re complying with statutory requirements, and c) assures your potential clients – most of whom won’t hire a company that isn’t insured – that you’re operating responsibly.

At Startups.co.uk, we’re here to help small UK businesses to get started, grow and succeed. We have practical resources for helping new businesses get off the ground – you can use the tool below to get started today.

Security is a busy, competitive industry, but by providing a reliable, successful and friendly service to your clients, you can stand out from the crowd. Good luck!

It’s simply not worth risking running a security business without a license. Doing so can result in you being charged hundreds of pounds – and possibly being dealt community service – by the SIA, along with irreparable damage to your reputation.

You might also look to apply for accreditations which will show clients that your business and your services meet the UK security industry’s current quality standards.

You can search for security contracts online using the government’s contracts finder, visit Tenders Direct’s security section, look at B2B Quote’s listings or more – there are plenty of options!

As a guide, the government’s careers service states that a security officer can expect to earn £13,000 to £16,000 at the start of their career, progressing to around £22,000 with experience, and reaching around £26,000 at a highly experienced or supervisor level.

The equipment that you (and your security staff, when you hire them) will need to take with you on a job will depend on the security service that you’re providing. But, in general, you and your staff might find it useful to have:

Unless you have experience in web design yourself, you’ll want to either hire a freelance web designer or invest in using a website builder.

In the security industry, experience is key – so when it comes to deciding on your security business’ niche, it’s important to select an area that you have some personal experience in. That way, you’ll understand how the service should be run, and you’ll know what’s required for your service to be smooth, professional and successful.

You’ll have to ensure that you pay your staff a fair salary that reflects their experience and skill. At the very least, you’ll need to pay minimum wage.

You’ll also need to ensure that there’s enough demand for that service in your local area. As you can imagine, setting up a bodyguarding business in a region where nobody is ever likely to require a bodyguard isn’t ideal.

If paying a permanent salary is too significant an outlay for your business, hiring staff on a freelance basis or subcontracting staff from another security company is a more affordable option for finding staff to help you fulfil a contract.

Before all else, your business will need to launch its own professional website – it’s important to give clients a place to visit so they can read all about you. Plus, the value of popping up on a Google results page when someone searches for local security businesses is undeniable (you’ll need your website to be optimised for search for this to happen).

If you want an even more specific niche, you may decide to specialise in providing services specifically to residential properties, commercial properties or individuals.

Still, the need for a private security business is very real, which means this is one of only a few sectors that are likely to grow during an economic slowdown. If a private security business sounds like the opportunity for you, read on for the full picture on regulations, costs and equipment, and how to hire staff.

In order to start a successful security business, you’ll have to budget for several initial cost outlays, covering legal fees, equipment and more. These include:

In order to run a private security business legally in the UK, you’ll need the relevant licensing from the Security Industry Authority (SIA).

The founder and CEO of Zicam Security, which has been going for over 25 years, Milan Mazić knows a thing or two about running a security company. He gave Startups the following advice for new entrants:

As you might imagine (or already be familiar with if you’ve worked in security), the security industry is fraught with strict regulations and licensing requirements that you’ll have to comply with to operate legally.

The qualities you’ll look for in a candidate will depend on the nature of the role you’re looking to fill and the jobs they’ll be working on, but in general, a good security candidate will have: