Typical Hourly Rate
£12.21–£15.00/hr
London Rate
£14.00–£17.50/hr
Licence Required
SIA Security Guard
Driving Licence
Full UK licence required
Key holding is one of the fastest-growing areas of the UK security industry. Businesses increasingly outsource key holding and alarm response to professional security companies — removing the risk and liability from their own staff. For SIA licensed officers with a clean driving record, key holding roles offer flexible, well-paid work with significant autonomy.
All roles require an SIA Security Guard licence and a full, clean UK driving licence. A vehicle is typically provided. The role involves responding to alarm activations outside normal business hours. See our UK security salary guide for pay benchmarks.
Types of Key Holding and Alarm Response Roles
Alarm Response Officer
Responding to intruder, fire and other alarm activations at client premises. Attending the property, conducting a security check, liaising with police and reporting to the control room. Covers a defined geographic area from a response vehicle.
Key Holding Officer
Holding keys and access credentials for client premises. Attending on request or in response to alarms. Removes the need for business owners to respond personally to out-of-hours incidents — a service businesses are increasingly willing to pay for.
Mobile Patrol and Key Holding Combined
Regular site patrols combined with key holding responsibilities. Officers conduct scheduled checks of multiple client premises and respond to activations as needed. Efficient multi-client coverage — popular with security companies.
Lock and Unlock Service
Opening and securing premises at agreed times on behalf of clients. Systematic property checks, alarm setting and disabling, anomaly reporting. Regular, predictable patterns — good for officers who prefer routine over reactive work.
Key holding work typically pays a base rate plus callout allowance for alarm responses. The SIA regulates key holding under the Security Guard licence category. The BSIA publishes key holding codes of practice.
Find Key Holding Security Jobs Near You
Register Free — SIA Licence Verified Within 24 Hours
Build your verified profile on UKSecurityJobs. Your SIA licence, BS7858-ready employment history and vettability score — all in one place. Apply to verified employers with one click.
Register Free →