Top 10 security companies in Manchester (2026)
These 10 security companies are based across Greater Manchester and cover what Manchester businesses ask for most: manned guarding, events and door staff, construction sites, hotels, residential buildings and key holding. They are listed A to Z, with what each is known for, where they are based, who they suit and the checks to make before you sign a contract.
Security companies in Manchester at a glance
| # | Company | Based in | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | APL Security Group Ltd | Northern Quarter, Manchester (M4) | Event security, door staff and city-centre retail queue management |
| 2 | Auxilium Services Ltd | Dukinfield, Tameside (SK16) | Manned guarding, event security, protection services and hospital bedwatch |
| 3 | Base Security Services Ltd | Chapel Street, Salford (M3) | Security and concierge officers in residential buildings |
| 4 | Enkido Security Ltd | Bridge Street, Manchester (M3) | Close protection and SIA training courses |
| 5 | Plus Security Manchester | Union Street, Ardwick (M12) | Construction sites, office receptions and events across the North West |
| 6 | Professional Alert Security Ltd | Union Street, Ardwick (M12) | Security for hotels in Manchester |
| 7 | Region Security Guarding Ltd | Northern Quarter, Manchester (M4) | Student accommodation security |
| 8 | Security For You Ltd | Ancoats, Manchester (M4) | Event security and reliable, well-presented staff |
| 9 | StrongGuard Security UK Ltd | North Manchester (M40) | Events and urgent jobs, including a same-day secure document delivery |
| 10 | Universal Support Services Group (USSG) Ltd | Reddish, Stockport (SK5) | SIA Approved Contractor: manned guarding, key holding, construction, hotels, retail and commercial cleaning |
Where each company is based
Seven of the ten are within about a mile of the city centre. Auxilium is in Dukinfield to the east and USSG is in Reddish, Stockport, to the south east, which suits sites in Stockport, Tameside and south Manchester.
- 1APL Security Group Ltd
- 2Auxilium Services Ltd
- 3Base Security Services Ltd
- 4Enkido Security Ltd
- 5Plus Security Manchester
- 6Professional Alert Security Ltd
- 7Region Security Guarding Ltd
- 8Security For You Ltd
- 9StrongGuard Security UK Ltd
- 10Universal Support Services Group (USSG) Ltd
Distance from Manchester city centre
Straight-line distance from St Peter's Square in miles. Driving distances are longer; ask each company where its response officers are based.
- Enkido Security Ltd0.3 mi
- Base Security Services Ltd0.6 mi
- APL Security Group Ltd0.7 mi
- Region Security Guarding Ltd0.7 mi
- Security For You Ltd0.8 mi
- Plus Security Manchester1.0 mi
- Professional Alert Security Ltd1.0 mi
- StrongGuard Security UK Ltd2.2 mi
- Universal Support Services Group (USSG) Ltd4.3 mi
- Auxilium Services Ltd6.2 mi
The 10 companies in more detail
1.APL Security Group Ltd
- Based in
- Northern Quarter, Manchester (M4)
- Clients mention
- Event security, door staff and city-centre retail queue management
- May suit
- Bars, events and busy city-centre shops.
2.Auxilium Services Ltd
- Based in
- Dukinfield, Tameside (SK16)
- Clients mention
- Manned guarding, event security, protection services and hospital bedwatch
- May suit
- Sites in east Greater Manchester, events and healthcare bedwatch.
3.Base Security Services Ltd
- Based in
- Chapel Street, Salford (M3)
- Clients mention
- Security and concierge officers in residential buildings
- May suit
- Apartment blocks and build-to-rent buildings that want a friendly front-desk presence.
4.Enkido Security Ltd
- Based in
- Bridge Street, Manchester (M3)
- Clients mention
- Close protection and SIA training courses
- May suit
- High-profile visitors and close protection, or people training for an SIA licence.
5.Plus Security Manchester
- Based in
- Union Street, Ardwick (M12)
- Clients mention
- Construction sites, office receptions and events across the North West
- May suit
- Construction projects and offices that need guards at more than one site.
6.Professional Alert Security Ltd
- Based in
- Union Street, Ardwick (M12)
- Clients mention
- Security for hotels in Manchester
- May suit
- Hotels that want the same officers week after week.
7.Region Security Guarding Ltd
- Based in
- Northern Quarter, Manchester (M4)
- Clients mention
- Student accommodation security
- May suit
- Student accommodation and residential operators.
8.Security For You Ltd
- Based in
- Ancoats, Manchester (M4)
- Clients mention
- Event security and reliable, well-presented staff
- May suit
- One-off and recurring events.
9.StrongGuard Security UK Ltd
- Based in
- North Manchester (M40)
- Clients mention
- Events and urgent jobs, including a same-day secure document delivery
- May suit
- Short-notice requirements and events.
10.Universal Support Services Group (USSG) Ltd Our company
- Based in
- Houldsworth Street Business & Arts Centre, Reddish, Stockport (SK5), about 4 miles from Manchester city centre
- Known for
- SIA Approved Contractor, founded in 2016, with officers screened to BS 7858. Manned guarding, key holding and alarm response, construction, retail and event security, plus commercial cleaning.
- Manchester work
- Security for The Lowry Hotel in Salford and deep cleaning for Vita Student in Manchester.
- May suit
- Businesses that want security and cleaning from one accredited supplier, or cover across several sites in Greater Manchester and beyond. See our security services in Manchester.
How to choose a security company in Manchester
Most Manchester security firms look similar online. These checks separate the ones that will turn up, supervise properly and stay compliant.
- SIA Approved Contractor status. Search the company on the SIA's Approved Contractor Scheme register on GOV.UK. It is voluntary, but it shows the firm has been independently assessed.
- Licensed officers. Every officer on your site needs their own SIA licence. Ask for licence numbers and check them on the SIA's register of licence holders.
- Vetting to BS 7858. Ask how officers are screened, including employment history and right-to-work checks.
- Local supervision. Ask who supervises your site, how often they visit and who answers the phone at 3am.
- Insurance. Ask for public and employer's liability certificates, with cover levels that match your contract.
- Relevant experience. Ask for a case study or reference from a similar site, for example a hotel, construction project or student building.
- Clear pricing. Get the hourly rate in writing, including nights, weekends and bank holidays.
Ready to compare quotes? See our security services in Manchester, or see how we work in our case studies.
Red flags to watch for
- The company cannot give you officers' SIA licence numbers.
- No named supervisor or out-of-hours contact for your site.
- A price far below other quotes, which can mean corners cut on pay, vetting or cover.
- No written contract, assignment instructions or incident reporting.
- No references from sites like yours.
How much do security companies in Manchester charge?
Most Manchester businesses pay roughly £18 to £25 per officer per hour. Short-notice cover, nights, weekends, bank holidays and specialist roles such as close protection cost more, while longer contracts and regular hours usually cost less. Key holding and alarm response are normally priced per site per month plus a call-out fee.
Our security guard cost guide breaks down what affects the rate.
Which type of security company do you need?
| Your need | What to ask for | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| Office, warehouse or retail site | Manned guarding with a regular team | Security guarding |
| Event or venue | Event security and door supervisors, plus Martyn's Law planning | Event security |
| Construction site | Static guards, access control and out-of-hours cover | Construction site security |
| Empty building or out-of-hours alarms | Key holding, alarm response and patrols | Key holding |
| Hotel or student building | Front-of-house officers with customer service training | Hotel security |
Frequently asked questions
What are the best security companies in Manchester?
There is no single best company: the right one depends on your site. For events and door staff, look at firms with recent event reviews; for hotels, residential buildings or construction, look for experience with that type of site. Whichever you shortlist, check the SIA Approved Contractor register, ask for references and compare written quotes.
How do I check a security company is SIA approved?
Search the company name on the SIA's Approved Contractor Scheme register on GOV.UK. Approved Contractor status is voluntary, so not every legitimate firm has it, but it means the company has been independently assessed against an industry standard. Every officer working on your site must also hold their own SIA licence, which you can check on the SIA's online register of licence holders.
How much do security guards cost in Manchester?
Most Manchester businesses pay roughly £18 to £25 per officer per hour. The rate depends on hours, nights and weekends, notice, the duties involved and whether you need extras such as key holding or a supervisor. See our security guard cost guide for more detail.
What is the difference between an SIA licence and an SIA Approved Contractor?
An SIA licence is a legal requirement for an individual officer to work in roles such as manned guarding, door supervision or key holding. SIA Approved Contractor status is a voluntary accreditation for the company itself, covering areas such as vetting, training, supervision and customer service.
Do Manchester venues need security under Martyn's Law?
Martyn's Law (the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025) will apply to qualifying premises and events where 200 or more people may be present, with extra duties for those expecting 800 or more. There is an implementation period before the duties apply, so venues can plan now. Our Manchester security page explains what it means in practice.
Can a Manchester security company cover Stockport and Salford?
Yes. Most of the companies in this guide cover Greater Manchester, including Salford, Trafford and Stockport. USSG's head office is in Reddish, Stockport, a few miles from Manchester city centre.
Related guides
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