New Security Buyer’s Charter Aims to Raise Standards in UK Private Security Procurement
The Security Industry Authority has backed the development of a new Security Buyer’s Charter designed to improve the way private security services are purchased and managed across the UK.
Published in June 2026, the draft charter has been developed by the SIA’s Buyers Special Interest Group and aims to create a clearer benchmark for organisations buying security services. It focuses on quality, fair working practices, transparency and stronger collaboration between security companies and their clients. GOV.UK
Read the official SIA announcement on the Security Buyer’s Charter
Why has the Charter been introduced?
Buying security services can sometimes become heavily focused on hourly rates.
However, security contracts involve much more than simply supplying an officer for a set number of hours. Recruitment, training, supervision, welfare, compliance, management support and maintaining reliable cover all contribute to the quality of the service provided.
The SIA says the new charter has been created because security challenges are becoming increasingly complex and organisations need a more structured way to purchase effective private security services. GOV.UK
The proposed charter is intended to encourage buyers to consider the wider consequences of procurement decisions rather than selecting providers based solely on price.
What does the Security Buyer’s Charter focus on?
The draft charter identifies several areas that could become increasingly important when organisations procure security.
These include:
- professional standards and competence
- fair pay and lawful working conditions
- workforce wellbeing
- stronger collaboration between buyers and security providers
- sustainability and social responsibility
- transparent and accountable procurement
- improved public protection
These principles reflect a wider change currently taking place within the UK security industry.
The SIA’s 2026–2029 Strategic Plan says the regulator intends to focus more heavily on the quality of security provision, rather than looking only at whether officers hold the correct licences. GOV.UK
View the SIA’s 2026–2029 Strategic Plan
Why does this matter to businesses buying security?
For businesses, the cheapest security contract is not necessarily the one that delivers the best value.
A very low hourly rate can become a problem if it results in high staff turnover, poorly trained officers, unreliable cover or limited management support.
When comparing security companies, businesses may therefore want to ask questions such as:
- How are security officers recruited and vetted?
- What training do they receive?
- How is sickness and annual leave covered?
- Is management support available 24 hours a day?
- How are incidents reported?
- How often are officers supervised?
- What happens if service standards are not met?
- How does the provider retain experienced staff?
These questions can give buyers a much clearer picture of what they are actually purchasing.
Better procurement could improve frontline security
The quality of procurement can ultimately affect what happens at the premises being protected.
For example, a stable team of properly trained officers is more likely to understand the site, recognise unusual activity and build effective working relationships with employees and customers.
Likewise, appropriate staffing levels and realistic contract pricing can make it easier for security companies to maintain cover, provide supervision and invest in ongoing training.
The SIA has said that its wider regulatory direction will increasingly involve making qualitative assessments of security provision and recognising both poor practice and excellence. GOV.UK
This suggests that the industry is gradually moving away from seeing compliance as simply holding an SIA licence.
A stronger partnership between businesses and security companies
One of the most important themes within the Buyer’s Charter is collaboration.
Effective security usually works best when the provider understands the client’s operation rather than simply supplying officers and leaving them on site.
This could involve regular contract reviews, analysing incident patterns, updating risk assessments and changing patrols or procedures when circumstances change.
Businesses can also play an important role by sharing relevant information with their security provider, including operational changes, previous incidents and emerging concerns.
That allows security to evolve alongside the organisation.
What happens next?
The Security Buyer’s Charter was initially launched in draft form for industry feedback.
Its introduction comes at a time when the SIA is making several significant changes to the private security sector, including new training proposals, stronger oversight of qualifications and preparations for its expanded regulatory role under Martyn’s Law. GOV.UK
For organisations purchasing security services, the direction is becoming increasingly clear.
Price will remain important — but service quality, officer competence, workforce stability and responsible procurement are likely to receive much greater attention.
For professional security providers, that could also create an opportunity to demonstrate the difference between simply supplying security officers and delivering a properly managed security service.
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