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Private Security Services in the UK - Market Size, Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecasts (2025-2029)

Heydon Thomas Heydon Thomas London, United Kingdom Last Updated: July 2025 SIC UK-N801

Revenue

£76.5bn

2025-26

£80.8bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

£XX.Xbn

Employees

2m

Businesses

99,577

Wages

£XX.Xbn

Private Security Services in the UK industry analysis

With guard and patrol services, armoured car operations and advanced surveillance solutions at its core, the industry has responded rapidly to evolving threats and operational demands in recent years. Large-scale occasions like the 2024 Paris Olympics and the UEFA European Football Championship have fuelled revenue spikes, with security budgets and staffing reaching historic highs. At the same time, persistent jumps in retail crime and a strained public law enforcement capacity have nudged businesses and authorities toward a broader reliance on private security providers. Private security revenue is projected to mount at a compound annual rate of 1.9% to €76.5 billion over the five years through 2025, including a projected hike of 1.6% in 2025.

Trends and Insights

  • Europe's high-profile events amplify private security demand. Major events such as royal occasions, the 2024 Summer Olympics and the UEFA European Football Championship are intensifying the need for private security for crowd control.
  • Falling cash usage curbs armoured car services demand. As transactions have moved towards digital platforms, the need for secure cash transport provided by private security companies has dropped.
  • Big agencies use economies of scope to attract clients. Security agencies use their integrated security systems, including personnel and modern technology, to attract clients.
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Top Questions Answered in this Report

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What is the market size of the Private Security Services industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?

The market size of the Private Security Services industry in the United Kingdom is £76.5bn in 2025.

How many businesses are there in the Private Security Services industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?

There are 99,577 businesses in the Private Security Services industry in the United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 5.6 % between 2020 and 2025.

Has the Private Security Services industry in the United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Private Security Services industry in the United Kingdom has been growing at a CAGR of 3.1 % between 2020 and 2025.

What is the forecast growth of the Private Security Services industry in the United Kingdom over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Private Security Services industry in the United Kingdom is expected to grow.

What does the Private Security Services industry in the United Kingdom include?

Security guard services and Armoured car services are part of the Private Security Services industry in the United Kingdom.

How competitive is the Private Security Services industry in the United Kingdom?

The level of competition is moderate and steady in the Private Security Services industry in the United Kingdom.

Everything you need in one report

  • Reliable market estimates from 2015-2030
  • Competitive analysis, industry segmentation, financial benchmarks
  • Powerful SWOT, Porter’s Five Forces and risk management frameworks
  • Online membership platform with PDF, Word, Excel and PPT exports

Table of Contents

External Environment

Highlights

Trends
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key Takeaways

Security guards need official training and licences. Many countries in Europe have a private security regulator that gives out permits to trained security guards.

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External Drivers

Analysis

What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Private Security Services in the UK industry?

Financial Benchmarks

Highlights

Trends
  • Profit Margin
  • Average Wage
  • Largest Cost

Key Takeaways

Security companies' profits rebound post-pandemic. As public events like sports matches and music concerts resumed in 2021, demand for crowd control surged, boosting revenue and profitability.

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Cost Structure

Charts
  • Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
  • Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
    • Marketing
    • Depreciation
    • Profit
    • Purchases
    • Wages
    • Rent
    • Utilities
    • Other
Analysis

What trends impact cost in the Private Security Services in the UK industry?


Key Ratios

Data tables
  • IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
  • Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
  • Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
  • Average Wage (2015-2030)

Country Benchmarks

European Leaders & Laggards

Data Tables

Top and bottom five countries listed for each:

  • Revenue Growth (2025)
  • Business Growth (2025)
  • Job Growth (2025)

European Country Performance

Data Tables

Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:

  • IVA/Revenue (2025)
  • Imports/Demand (2025)
  • Exports/Revenue (2025)
  • Revenue per Employee (2025)
  • Wages/Revenue (2025)
  • Employees per Establishment (2025)
  • Average Wage (2025)

Structural Comparison

Data Tables

Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe

  • Concentration
  • Competition
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Buyer Power
  • Supplier Power
  • Volatility
  • Capital Intensity
  • Innovation
  • Life Cycle

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2015-2030)
  • IVA (2015-2030)
  • Establishments (2015-2030)
  • Enterprises (2015-2030)
  • Employment (2015-2030)
  • Exports (2015-2030)
  • Imports (2015-2030)
  • Wages (2015-2030)

Methodology

Where does IBISWorld source its data?

IBISWorld is a world-leading provider of business information, with reports on 5,000+ industries in Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe and China. Our expert industry analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build an accurate picture of each industry.

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