Which Properties Benefit Most?
Retail Centres
Retail properties can experience theft, vandalism, trespassing and vehicle-related incidents outside trading hours. Patrols for
retail security can cover entrances, external areas, loading docks and car parks.
Warehouses and Industrial Estates
Large sites can have extensive boundaries and multiple access points. Mobile patrols for
warehouse and industrial security can provide physical checks without requiring a guard at every location.
Construction Sites
Construction sites can contain valuable tools, machinery, building materials and equipment. Regular after-hours patrols can add another deterrent against theft and trespassing.
Office Parks
Once employees have gone home, large office complexes can become relatively quiet. Patrols can check entrances, car parks, external areas and access points.
Car Parks
Car parks can be difficult to monitor comprehensively through cameras alone. Mobile patrols provide a moving physical presence across larger areas.
Vacant Premises
An empty building is
an asset that has no employees or tenants to notice something is wrong. Regular patrols can identify damage, attempted entry, trespassing and other issues.
Schools
Schools can be vulnerable outside operating hours, particularly where playgrounds, sporting facilities, equipment and buildings are accessible from surrounding areas.
How Much Do Security Patrols Cost?
The cost of security patrols depends on the property, patrol frequency and services required. Providers may charge per visit, per hour or through a recurring contract. Factors such as site size, location, timing, alarm response and reporting requirements can all affect the final price. Compare what’s included, not just the headline rate.
What to Look for in a Patrol Provider
The security industry isn't the place to cut corners. When comparing providers, businesses should look at more than a price per visit.
State Security Licensing
Security licensing is regulated at state and territory level in Australia. Check that the provider and personnel hold the appropriate licences for the services being performed in your state.
Insurance
Ask what insurance the provider carries and whether the level of cover is appropriate for the work being undertaken.
GPS-Tracked Reporting
Modern patrol services should ideally provide clear evidence that visits occurred. GPS tracking and digital reports can provide useful visibility for property managers and business owners. These days,
technology can really enhance the impact of physical security.
Defined Response Times
If an alarm goes off at 2 am, everyone should know what happens next. Ask about alarm response procedures, escalation processes and expected response times.
After-Hours Contact
Security problems rarely wait for business hours. A provider should have a clear process for contacting the appropriate person when an incident occurs overnight, on weekends or during public holidays. The strongest b2b security services providers should also be willing to assess the property rather than simply selling a standard patrol package.
A Security Presence When Your Property Is Quiet
The hours when a site is quiet can be precisely when a lack of human presence becomes most noticeable. Mobile security patrols offer a way to put that presence back into the picture without necessarily
hiring a permanent security guard on site. A combination of visible deterrence and unpredictable patrols to physical inspections, alarm response and documented reporting, patrols can complement CCTV, alarms, lighting and access controls help to create a more layered approach to security.
If you're comparing business security solutions Melbourne businesses can use to protect commercial premises, the starting point should be the property itself: where are the vulnerabilities, when are they greatest and what level of response is actually required?
Looking to strengthen your property's after-hours security? Request a site security assessment or
contact our team for a tailored quote.
FAQs
How often do mobile patrols visit a site?
It depends on the property's risk profile and the service agreement. Patrols can be scheduled once or multiple times per night, on selected days or at varying times to create a less predictable security presence.
Are security patrols cheaper than a static guard?
Nearly always, and particularly when a business doesn't require continuous on-site security. Mobile patrols allow officers to cover multiple sites rather than remaining at one location throughout a shift.
Do patrol officers carry keys and do lock-ups?
Some providers offer secure keyholding, lock-up and unlock services. If these services are required, businesses should ask how keys are stored, accessed and documented.
What happens if the alarm triggers between patrols?
This depends on the service agreement. A provider may offer alarm response as part of the patrol service, allowing an officer to attend the property, assess the situation and follow the agreed escalation procedure.
Do patrols work for vacant or unoccupied properties?
Yes. In fact, vacant properties can be particularly well suited to mobile patrols because there are no employees or tenants present to notice suspicious activity or damage.
Are security patrol companies licensed in every state?
Security licensing requirements vary between Australian states and territories. Businesses should check that both the provider and security officers meet the licensing requirements applicable in their jurisdiction.
