ZimCos Security Ltd provides construction site guarding, K9 dog-and-handler units, gate security, patrols and temporary electronic protection. Our Watford-based team prioritises Hertfordshire and considers Greater London and other UK project enquiries by arrangement.
For a principal contractor or developer, the starting point is the work your security team must do: control a live delivery gate, protect a compound overnight, patrol a perimeter or act on a confirmed alarm. We scope those duties before recommending cover.
Request a construction security quotation or call 0204 577 0205. Send your postcode, required shifts, proposed start date and expected duration.
Static guarding and construction security officers
SIA-licensed security officers can provide a staffed presence at agreed posts, check authorised arrivals, patrol permitted areas and record incidents. State whether a gate must remain continuously attended: an officer checking a remote compound cannot simultaneously cover an uninterrupted entrance post.
Agree handovers, relief cover and the procedure for unexpected visitors or deliveries. Officers need a current site brief, induction, welfare access and the correct escalation contacts. Explore security guarding and our shift handover guide.
K9 security for construction sites
A dog-and-handler team can support perimeter deterrence and patrol duties where the site assessment confirms suitability. Public paths, neighbouring properties, contractors, occupied cabins and other animals influence the deployment plan. Define patrol boundaries, separation arrangements, water, rest and welfare access before work starts.
Keep gate duties and dog-unit patrols distinct where both must operate at the same time. Read about K9 security and site suitability.
Gate control, contractors and delivery access
Construction gates need practical rules that your suppliers and subcontractors understand. Define who can approve entry, what officers record and how an unexpected vehicle is handled. Specify pedestrian routes and which gates are open during each shift.
Security entry checks do not replace site inductions, traffic marshals or specialist lifting responsibilities. Your management team retains control of those arrangements. See gate security and construction traffic responsibilities.
Overnight, weekend and 24-hour site cover
Identify the vulnerable periods between working shifts, during weekends and over shutdowns. A proposal can combine staffed cover, scheduled visits, dog units or monitored equipment according to the duties required. A mobile patrol checks the site at agreed intervals; it is not continuous attendance.
For 24-hour guarding, specify the posts that must remain staffed, shift handovers and relief arrangements. Availability and the start date are confirmed for each assignment.
Plant, machinery and material-store protection
Map the assets left on site, including plant, tools, fuel, cabling and materials. Record who may remove equipment and where officers should report an unexplained movement. Patrol instructions can identify vulnerable fencing, unlocked stores, lighting failures and changes to access points.
Combine the security brief with your own storage, inventory and physical-barrier measures. The aim is to reduce opportunities for theft and make concerns visible to the responsible manager.
CCTV towers, alarms and incident response
Temporary CCTV towers and cameras can complement guarding where sight lines, power and connectivity suit the intended coverage. Agree recording, monitoring hours, authorised activity and the response to an alert separately.
For suitable enclosed buildings or cabins, discuss Ajax alarm installation and monitoring. We monitor our alarm systems internally, 24 hours a day. Following a confirmed activation, our procedure includes emergency response team dispatch and police contact when appropriate. Verification, access and escalation arrangements form part of the agreed service; we do not guarantee attendance times.
Security through each construction phase
- Groundworks and site setup: establish boundaries, permitted access and temporary compound protection.
- Main construction: review gate staffing, deliveries, plant movements and changing storage areas.
- Fit-out and refurbishment: manage contractor access and tools or equipment kept within the building.
- Shutdowns and delays: update the brief for reduced occupancy, altered utilities and out-of-hours cover.
- Completion and handover: review keys, access permissions and any continuing vacant property protection.
Supervision, reporting and communication
Our operating approach prioritises direct supervision, staff performance, reliable coverage and practical customer communication. Agree the records you need, who receives them and which findings need an immediate call. Reports should distinguish observations, actions and unresolved concerns.
For BESS and energy infrastructure, security instructions must also respect restricted areas and the project emergency plan. Security officers do not replace electrical or commissioning specialists.
Construction site security in Hertfordshire and Greater London
We prioritise Watford and Hertfordshire enquiries, including sites around Bushey, Rickmansworth, Borehamwood and St Albans. Our Watford construction site security page explains the local offer.
For Greater London or a project beyond the local area, provide the full postcode, shift pattern, programme and site facilities. We assess deployment, travel and any accommodation requirements before confirming a proposal. For several sites, list each site’s posts and contacts separately. See coverage and project enquiry guidance.
What determines the cost of construction security?
Cost follows the number of staffed posts, booked hours, duration, dog-unit requirements, equipment, monitoring scope and mobilisation. Compare quotations against the same duties and hours, including relief cover, reporting and any installation or recurring charges. A low hourly figure is not a useful comparison if it omits a post or service your site needs.
Prepare your quotation request
- Full postcode, project phase, start date and expected duration.
- Site plan, gates, perimeter and main assets.
- Day, night, weekend or continuous staffing requirements.
- Required guarding, K9, CCTV, alarms or patrol services.
- Induction, welfare, utilities and nominated contacts.
- Any written insurer or procurement requirements.
Send your construction security brief or call 0204 577 0205. Short-term and ongoing requirements can be discussed; scope and availability are confirmed before booking.
Construction security questions
Can you combine guards, K9 teams and CCTV?
Yes. Specify each task and the hours it must operate so we can scope a suitable combination and agree who handles alerts.
Can cover change as the project progresses?
Discuss changes to gates, storage, fencing and working hours before they take effect. Staffing, equipment and instructions can then be reviewed against the revised brief.
Is an immediate start guaranteed?
No. Send your required date and site information. We confirm availability and mobilisation arrangements after assessing the assignment.