The Real Difference Between Manned Guarding and Mobile Patrols

No two businesses face identical security challenges. A bustling construction site requires different protection than a quiet industrial estate, and a 24-hour retail facility has vastly different needs than a seasonal warehouse. By first understanding the sort of business you run you’ll then be able to properly select the right security solution for your property.

If you own a business, its handy to know there’s a professional security team to help secure your site. At Crocsec, we cover Somerset and Oxfordshire, including Chippenham, Cirencester, Didcot, Oxford, Abingdon and Wantage. If you require our services in Oxford or anywhere in the surrounding area, don’t hesitate to call us on 07872 943197 or 01793 557014, or email us at info@crocseclimited.com for round the clock professional protection.

What is Manned Guarding?

Manned guarding involves deploying trained security personnel directly on your premises typically at entry points, reception areas, or positions throughout your site where they monitor activity, deter potential intruders, and ensure ongoing safety around the clock.

At Crocsec our guards handle a range of duties including access control and visitor management, conducting regular perimeter checks and internal patrols, responding immediately to incidents or emergencies, and maintaining detailed logs of all security-related activity. Their constant presence means they can identify threats and safety issues the moment they arise.

This service proves invaluable for environments such as construction sites with valuable equipment, facilities requiring 24-hour monitoring, retail locations, or any premises where an immediate response and customer reassurance are paramount.

What are Mobile Patrols?

A mobile patrol involves our security team visiting multiple client locations during scheduled or randomised routes using clearly marked security vehicles. Rather than remaining at a single site, our guards cover broader areas, checking on various properties throughout their shifts.

Typically, the team of Crocsec mobile patrol officers inspect perimeters and vulnerable entry points, lock and unlock premises at designated times, respond promptly to alarm activations, investigate suspicious activity, and provide detailed digital reports after each visit. Their visible presence in security vehicles acts as a powerful deterrent to opportunistic criminals.

Mobile patrols excel at protecting expansive sites and properties where static guarding would be impractical. For instance industrial estates with multiple tenants, or businesses requiring after-hours monitoring without the expense of full-time personnel.

Choosing What's Right for Your Business

First assess your risk level and the value of assets requiring protection, evaluate your site size, review your operational hours and peak vulnerability periods, and establish a realistic security budget.

Key Differences Between Manned Guarding and Mobile Patrols

Feature	Manned Guarding	Mobile Patrols
Presence	Constant, on-site	Periodic, off-site
Cost	Higher (dedicated guards)	More affordable
Response time	Immediate	Rapid (vehicle-based)
Best for	High-risk or busy sites	Multiple low-risk locations
Example	Construction site	Retail park after hours

Crocsec provides complimentary security assessments to help you identify the best solution for your business or premises.

Whether you select manned or mobile security you should make sure your choice holds valid SIA (Security Industry Authority) licence. At Crocsec, we ensure all our staff hold valid SIA’s and invest continuously in staff development. We also make sure that they have access to professional equipment including GPS-tracked patrol vehicles, real-time digital reporting systems, detailed incident logging, and integration with existing CCTV infrastructure. This technological backbone ensures accountability, transparency, and evidential documentation of all security activities.