One of the first questions every business owner or property manager faces is: Do I need permanent guarding, or are mobile patrols sufficient? The answer depends on the nature of the premises, a risk analysis and the available budget. Let us examine this with real figures.
Permanent physical guarding: what it entails
Permanent guarding means that one or more guards are continuously present at your premises. Typically at a guardhouse or reception, with regular patrols of the site.
When it makes sense:
- Facility with continuous operation (manufacturing, hospital, data centre)
- High value of protected property or goods
- Frequent visits from suppliers and customers requiring access control.
- Property in a high-risk area or with a history of incidents
- A complex with multiple buildings or an extensive plot of land
Actual costs (Prague, 2026):
- 1 guard, day shift (8h): 1 200-1 600 Kč
- 1 guard, night shift (8h): 1 400-1 900 Kč
- Continuous guarding 24/7, 1 guard: 35 000-50 000 Kč/month
- Reception with two guards on rotating shifts: 60,000-85,000 Kč/month
Mobile patrols: flexibility and cost savings
Mobile patrol service operates differently: a security vehicle regularly visits your property: usually 2-6 times per night at irregular intervals. During each visit, the guard checks the perimeter, locked entrances and any alarms.
When it makes sense:
- Premises without night-time operations (office, warehouse with no night shifts)
- Lower risk category: no burglary precedents
- Larger area with multiple nearby properties (one guard covers several locations)
- Add-on to the CCTV system with remote monitoring
Actual costs (Prague, 2026):
- Basic patrol route (2-3 visits/night): 3,000-5,000 Kč/month
- Extended route (5-8 visits/night, longer time on site): 6 000-10 000 Kč/month
- Alarm response (dispatch on call): 500-900 Kč/dispatch
Comparison of key parameters
| Parameter | Permanent guarding | Mobile patrols |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly costs | 35 000-85 000 Kč | 3 000-10 000 Kč |
| Response time to an incident | Immediate | 5-20 minutes |
| Deterrence | Very high | Medium |
| Entrance control | Yes | No |
| Suitable for 24/7 operation | Yes | No |
| Coverage of multiple locations | One position | Multiple properties |
| Flexibility | Low | High |
Response time: where it hurts most
The biggest disadvantage of mobile patrols is the response time. If a burglary occurs at 2:00 am and the patrol passed by an hour earlier, the perpetrators have an hour to think. In practice, they usually do not have enough time because they choose an easier target, and that is precisely the point.
The problem arises during an active incident, robbery, vandalism or arson. The guard on site reacts immediately. A patrol arrives within 8-15 minutes. In some situations this makes the decisive difference.
Hybrid solution: most often the right answer
In most cases, the choice is not “either-or”. The most effective solution combines both:
Example for a manufacturing plant with one hall (Prague-west):
- Day shift: permanent guard at the gatehouse (8:00-20:00)
- Night: mobile patrols 4x per night + CCTV monitoring by dispatch centre
- Result: 65% saving compared to 24/7 permanent guarding while maintaining a 90% security level.
Example for an office complex:
- Reception with one guard during working hours (8:00-18:00)
- Outside working hours: mobile patrols 3 times per night
- CCTV system with alarm response
How to decide?
Before contacting a security agency, answer these questions:
- What happens in the worst-case scenario? (Burglary, fire, injury), how long can the premises remain unprotected?
- What is the value of the protected assets? An ROI calculation will show what is worthwhile.
- Do you have a history of incidents? A single burglary changes the entire calculation.
- Do you need access control during working hours? a permanent guard will handle this; mobile patrols cannot.
Reputable security agencies will carry out a free site analysis and recommend specific solutions. Avoid those who offer you a “standard package” before they have even seen your premises.
Unsure what is optimal for your property? Contact us. We will visit and provide free, no-obligation advice.