Whether it’s a boutique launch, a warehouse full of stock, or your nan’s front gate, security services are the quiet force keeping chaos at bay—without making a scene (unless they absolutely have to).
You’ll find them managing guest lists with a nod, keeping shop floors calm and professional, or locking up construction sites after hours. Some handle crowd control at festivals, others patrol empty office blocks at 3 a.m. There are teams watching live CCTV feeds, responding to alarms, or simply making sure only the right people get through the door.
You know the drill—if it moves, opens, shuts, or needs to be kept in line, there’s a security service for it.
What you might not know is that these solutions are only part of the picture. Behind the scenes, there’s a whole world of highly specialised—and occasionally awkward—roles that rarely make the headlines. Let’s take a closer look.
The Uncommon Security Services You Need
Stage Security, a leader in Essex security, has shared a behind-the-scenes look at the lesser-known services that don’t often make headlines, but prove essential when things take an unexpected turn.
Fly Grazing Livestock Removal
It’s not exactly the Wild West, but unauthorised horses turning up on private land is more common than you’d think—especially in rural or semi-rural areas. Fly grazing refers to animals, usually horses, being left to graze on land without the owner’s permission. This can cause damage to property, pose risks to public safety, and raise serious animal welfare concerns.
Specialist teams work alongside local authorities and landowners to handle these situations quickly and legally. That means securing the site, identifying ownership (if possible), and coordinating the safe removal of the animals under the Control of Horses Act 2015. It’s one of those services you hope you’ll never need—but when you do, you need it handled properly.
Squatter Eviction
Vacant properties don’t always stay empty for long. When squatters move in—particularly in commercial or industrial buildings—the situation can become complex quickly.
While squatting in residential buildings is a criminal offence in England and Wales, doing the same in a non-residential property falls under civil law, which means it’s up to the owner to take legal action.
Specialist security teams support the lawful eviction process from start to finish. That includes monitoring the site, serving the correct notices, and coordinating with enforcement officers and the courts to carry out eviction orders.
Once the property is cleared, security often stays on-site to prevent re-entry, providing peace of mind while long-term solutions are put in place. It’s a delicate job that calls for professionalism, legal know-how, and a calm approach, especially when tensions are high.
Car Meet Prevention
Who wouldn’t want to hear revving engines, screeching tyres, and see hundreds of modified cars roll into a retail park after hours? If you’re still wondering, just ask the neighbours—or the shop owners trying to close up without a burnout display in the disabled bay.
While some car meets are organised and respectful, others spiral into noise complaints, traffic disruption, and anti-social behaviour. That’s where security teams come in, working with councils and police to stop gatherings before they start, using patrols, injunctions, PSPOs, and visible deterrents.
Fast cars might be fun, but turning business parks into racetracks? Not quite as exciting for everyone else.
Firework Display Security
Every weekend, as soon as the evenings draw in, the first bangs and crackles start. Sometimes they’re part of a well-organised display. Other times, they come from a group of teenagers lobbing fireworks across a park with zero supervision and even less common sense.
Protection crews are often deployed to monitor known trouble spots, prevent illegal firework use, and support emergency services when needed. They help reduce risk in public areas, protect nearby properties, and keep things under control before someone decides to aim a Roman candle at a passing car.
Protest and Demonstration Monitoring
Peaceful protest has a vital place in British society, but when tensions rise, businesses are often caught in the crossfire. In recent months, the UK has seen a sharp rise in politically and emotionally charged demonstrations, some of which have taken an ugly turn.
During the anti-immigration riots in 2024, for example, it wasn’t government buildings that bore the brunt of the damage. It was independent shops, small businesses, and restaurants—many run by minority communities—that were looted, vandalised, or forced to close their doors.
Security teams are often deployed to maintain a visible, stabilising presence near at-risk businesses. Their role is to de-escalate threats early, discourage opportunistic looting, and keep communication open between shop owners and emergency services.
It’s a delicate balancing act: allowing protests to happen while preventing the kind of destruction that leaves long-term scars on high streets and communities. For business owners, especially those from marginalised backgrounds, knowing that someone is watching out for them when tensions spill over can mean the difference between a demonstration and a disaster.
The Occasionally Awkward Side of Security
Not every security job involves high-speed chases or saving the day with a dramatic last-minute save. Some jobs are a bit quieter. Some are downright strange. And a few are just awkward enough to make you wonder how we even got here. But, oddly enough, these roles do matter.
They stop disasters before anyone even notices, keep people safe without anyone realising they were ever at risk, and make sure the world keeps turning without much drama. Behind these jobs is a team willing to step into the bizarre, the uncomfortable, and the “Wait, this really needs doing?”—all so you don’t have to.
You might never think about these security roles. You might never expect to need them. But one day, when you’re faced with a runaway pony or a rogue car meet, you’ll probably be pretty glad they’re around.
