Patrolling in the context of security entails a security officer who has been trained to patrol an area either at planned or random times with the objective of identifying any dangers and deterring crime. This involves patrolling the area in question by making sure everything is all right in terms of security and then reporting the findings. The objective is very simple. Any danger will be detected early enough and those who intend harm will see that there is patrolling going on.
In case you are responsible for managing any of the following: a building, construction site, warehouse, or residential community, knowledge on how the security patrol system operates will guide you in making an appropriate decision.
What does patrolling mean in security?
Patrolling is defined in day-to-day terms as to walk or drive around some area to ensure its safety. In the field of security patrolling has four specific responsibilities:
- Deter: visibility and unpredictability deter theft, vandalism, and trespass.
- Detect: police officers observe opened doors, damaged fences, leaks in water supply, suspicious automobiles or improper lighting before incidents occur.
- Answer: If there is an issue, the police act right away, be it by securing the area or contacting the client or even the law.
- Report: all patrols are documented so the owner of the property knows what has been inspected and when.
That final element is what distinguishes patrolling security personnel from people merely “walking around”.
What does a patrolling security guard do?
The tasks performed by a patrol guard differ depending on the area, but generally they include:
- Ensuring doors, windows, gates, and shutters are locked
- Patrolling around the premises to identify any damage, breaches, or forced entries
- Inspection of parking lots, loading docks, and backstage areas
- Ensure that alarms, surveillance cameras, and lighting are operational
- Identify any potential threats or dangers including blocked fire escapes or leakage
- Reporting unauthorised personnel or vehicles
- Performing lock-up and unlocking procedures at the beginning and end of the shift
- Recording all checkpoints and reporting any incidents
For a more comprehensive understanding of the duties performed by guards, check out our article on the tasks security guards perform in Dubai.
Types of security patrols
Different types of security patrol are not identical. The appropriate one will depend on the size of the area, risks and available budget.
| Type of patrol | How it works | Best for |
| Foot patrol | An officer walks a set route inside or around the site | Malls, hotels, offices, hospitals, residential towers |
| Mobile (vehicle) patrol | Officers drive between sites or around a large area, stopping to check key points | Construction sites, warehouses, villa communities, multiple locations |
| Scheduled patrol | Checks happen at agreed times, such as every two hours overnight | Sites that need predictable lock-up, unlock or welfare checks |
| Random patrol | Timing and routes change so the pattern cannot be predicted | Sites with a history of theft or trespass |
| Alarm response patrol | An officer attends when an alarm or sensor is triggered | Premises with intruder alarms but no full-time guard |
| Static plus patrol | A guard holds a post and patrols the area at set intervals | Gatehouses, lobbies, compounds |
Mixed patrol is common practice for many areas. An example would be a scheduled lock-up procedure at the end of the working day, followed by random patrols.
How a security patrol works, step by step
Effective patrol involves a process as shown below:
- Assessment of risk: The organization assesses the property and determines its vulnerabilities, past incidents, and areas that need attention for the patrol to cover.
- Checkpoints and route: The gateways, fire escape routes, plant rooms and car park areas become checkpoints along the patrol route.
- Timing of patrols: The patrol time is agreed upon and determined whether it should be at set or random intervals.
- Scanning of checkpoints: Most organizations have guard tour systems where the patrol officers scan tags or GPS-enabled devices at checkpoints during the patrols.
- Observation and actions: Officers handle situations that arise on site and report any serious matter to the control room.
- Reporting: The client gets a record of the patrols, the timing of checkpoints and incidents.
Static guarding vs patrolling: what is the difference?
Static guarding entails an officer stationed at a single location such as the reception desk or the gate and manages access. Patrolling entails covering a larger perimeter, which involves checking, deterring and response to any situation. Static guarding is most effective when there is continuous need for access control while patrolling is most effective when the perimeter is large, risk is dispersed or when a full-time guard is excessive.
See more on this comparison in security patrol vs security guards in Dubai. On ground, most locations are able to get the best effect by combining the two.
Which sites in Dubai benefit most from security patrolling?
Security patrolling is highly recommended in the following situations:
- Construction sites, where tools and equipment are vulnerable outside office hours
- Large warehouses and distribution centers with perimeter security and loading bays
- Villa compounds and gated communities requiring visual security checks without security guards at all gates
- Empty retail stores and showrooms outside office hours
- Office buildings and corporate parks over the weekend and on public holidays
- Car parks in which vehicle-related crimes and loitering could be issues
A lot can happen at times when there is no one around. This is discussed in our night security guide in Dubai, and round-the-clock patrols show how such problems can be covered.
What good patrol reporting looks like
There should be no room for guessing if a patrol was done or not. Proper reporting will include:
- Time that each checkpoint was visited
- Person who did the patrol
- All discoveries, photographs if needed
- Steps taken and people informed
- An overview that can be looked at weekly or monthly
If a service provider cannot provide you with this report, find out why. Reporting allows you to measure the effectiveness of the service provided.
Frequently asked questions
What is patrolling in security in simple words?
Patrols as security procedures imply an activity carried out by a security officer on regular inspection walks in order to ensure safety and detect any criminal activities in time. Every walk is documented to allow the property owner to know what has been done.
Is a patrolling guard the same as a security guard?
The patrolling security guard falls under the security guard category. The only difference is the duties; while the static security guard stays put at his or her designated post, the patrolling security guard goes about checking the premises on foot or in vehicles.
How often should a security patrol visit a site?
This will depend on the risks involved at the premises. Low-risk places may require fewer visits at night, while high-risk places may require hourly or random visits. Short site risk assessment is the best way to determine the required frequency of such visits.
Do patrol officers in Dubai need a licence?
Yes. Individuals working in security posts must hold a license from the Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA) while companies providing such services should have licenses as well, according to Dubai’s security industry regulations.
What is mobile patrolling?
Mobile patrolling requires the use of officers in vehicles moving from point to point either to and fro different places or within one area checking the key spots. Mobile patrolling can cover more area than the foot patrol, making it appropriate for construction sites, warehouses, and several buildings.
How Landmark Security approaches patrolling
Landmark Security has been offering security services in Dubai since 2004. The patrolling security services offered by Landmark Security include routine and random patrols, foot and vehicle patrols, lock-up and unlocking and alarm response. Landmark Security security officers make use of GPS reporting devices, and all visits are registered.
For those uncertain about the type of patrols needed on their site, we can conduct a site assessment to tailor a patrol program to suit your particular needs.
