--- title: "Our Story | SPS Security — From Hull Since 1992" description: "Discover SPS Security's story — from a Hull start-up in 1992 to one of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire's most trusted regional security companies." lang: en-GB json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sps-security.com/#organization", "name": "SPS Security", "legalName": "SPS Security Limited", "url": "https://sps-security.com", "logo": "https://media.base44.com/images/public/698915a4f050929687a915b6/1f1253e54_SPSSecurityLogo.JPG", "image": "https://media.base44.com/images/public/698915a4f050929687a915b6/1f1253e54_SPSSecurityLogo.JPG", "sameAs": [ "https://www.linkedin.com/company/sps-security-ltd", "https://www.facebook.com/SPSSecurityLtd" ], "description": "SPS Security provides SIA-licensed security guarding, mobile patrols, keyholding, CCTV monitoring and dog handling across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.", "foundingDate": "1992", "telephone": "+441482226570", "email": 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"https://media.base44.com/images/public/698915a4f050929687a915b6/1f1253e54_SPSSecurityLogo.JPG", "url": "https://sps-security.com", "telephone": "+441482226570", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "Neptune House, Neptune Street", "addressLocality": "Hull", "addressRegion": "East Yorkshire", "postalCode": "HU3 2BP", "addressCountry": "GB" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": 53.7337, "longitude": -0.3561 }, "openingHoursSpecification": [ { "@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification", "dayOfWeek": [ "Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday" ], "opens": "08:00", "closes": "17:30", "description": "Office hours" } ], "additionalProperty": { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Control Room Availability", "value": "24/7 — telephone and alarm response available around the clock via 01482 226570" }, "parentOrganization": { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sps-security.com/#organization", "name": "SPS Security", "url": "https://sps-security.com" }, "priceRange": "$$" }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "SecurityService", "@id": "https://sps-security.com/#grimsby-office", "name": "SPS Security — Grimsby Office", "image": "https://media.base44.com/images/public/698915a4f050929687a915b6/1f1253e54_SPSSecurityLogo.JPG", "url": "https://sps-security.com", "telephone": "+441472806444", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "Europarc Innovation Centre, Innovation Way", "addressLocality": "Grimsby", "addressRegion": "North East Lincolnshire", "postalCode": "DN37 9TT", "addressCountry": "GB" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": 53.5856, "longitude": -0.1301 }, "openingHoursSpecification": [ { "@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification", "dayOfWeek": [ "Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday" ], "opens": "08:00", "closes": "17:30", "description": "Office hours" } ], "additionalProperty": { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Control Room Availability", "value": "24/7 — telephone and alarm response available around the clock via 01482 226570" }, "parentOrganization": { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sps-security.com/#organization", "name": "SPS Security", "url": "https://sps-security.com" }, "priceRange": "$$" }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "SecurityService", "@id": "https://sps-security.com/#lincoln-office", "name": "SPS Security — Lincoln Office", "image": "https://media.base44.com/images/public/698915a4f050929687a915b6/1f1253e54_SPSSecurityLogo.JPG", "url": "https://sps-security.com", "telephone": "+441522370032", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "Brayford Pool", "addressLocality": "Lincoln", "addressRegion": "Lincolnshire", "postalCode": "LN6 7TS", "addressCountry": "GB" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": 53.2285, "longitude": -0.5478 }, "openingHoursSpecification": [ { "@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification", "dayOfWeek": [ "Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday" ], "opens": "08:00", "closes": "17:30", "description": "Office hours" } ], "additionalProperty": { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Control Room Availability", "value": "24/7 — telephone and alarm response available around the clock via 01482 226570" }, "parentOrganization": { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sps-security.com/#organization", "name": "SPS Security", "url": "https://sps-security.com" }, "priceRange": "$$" } ], { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebSite", "name": "SPS Security", "url": "https://sps-security.com", "description": "SPS Security provides SIA-licensed security guarding, mobile patrols, keyholding, alarm response and CCTV monitoring across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.", "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "SPS Security", "url": "https://sps-security.com" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sps-security.base44.app/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "About SPS", "item": "https://sps-security.base44.app/about" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Our Story" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "When was SPS Security founded?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "SPS Security was established in 1992, originally as Security Patrol Services." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What did SPS Security originally focus on?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "SPS originally focused on practical security services such as mobile patrols, keyholding, alarm response, open-up and lock-up services." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is SPS Security part of SPS Group?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. SPS Security is part of the wider SPS Group, with £25m+ Group turnover and nearly 1,000 people across Security, Cleaning and Technical Services." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Did SPS previously operate a large guarding business?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. During its growth, SPS employed more than 800 security officers and built significant experience in guarding, supervision, compliance and operational support." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does SPS still provide security guarding?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. Guarding remains an important SPS service, but the focus is now on quality, training, retention, supervision and long-term value rather than simply supplying high volumes of officers." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Why has SPS diversified beyond guarding?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "SPS has diversified because client needs, technology, employment costs and security risks have changed. The business now combines guarding with keyholding, alarm response, mobile patrols, monitoring, access control and technical systems." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When did SPS move more into security systems?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "SPS placed greater focus on security systems, remote monitoring, access control and technical services from around 2018." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When did SPS acquire TESS?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "SPS acquired TESS in 2023, strengthening the Group's engineering and technical capability." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What changed in the SPS control room in 2024?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "In 2024, SPS upgraded its control room to support more modern monitoring, helpdesk, response coordination, incident logging and out-of-hours communication." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What makes SPS different today?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "SPS combines local accountability, long-standing client relationships, professional guarding, mobile response, 24/7 control room support and growing technical capability." } } ] } ] --- Established in Hull in 1992 — Trusted Security Services Across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire [01482 226570](tel:01482226570)24/7 Control Room [![SPS Security](https://qtrypzzcjebvfcihiynt.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/base44-prod/public/698915a4f050929687a915b6/a2fa8c13a_SPSSecurityNewLogo.png)](/) Services Sectors How We Operate Insights & Tools About [Careers](/careers)[Contact](/contact-us) [Book a Security Review Book a Review ](/contact-us) [Home](/)[About SPS](/about)Our Story Since 1992 # Our Story SPS Security has been protecting people, property and businesses since 1992. What began as Security Patrol Services has grown into a modern regional security provider and part of the wider SPS Group, with £25m+ Group turnover and nearly 1,000 people across Security, Cleaning and Technical Services. In many ways, SPS is now returning to its roots: keyholding, alarm response, mobile patrols, open-up and lock-up services, and practical site support — but with the strength of modern technology, remote CCTV monitoring, access control, technical systems and a 24/7 control room behind it. [Contact SPS Security](/contact-us) [Explore Our Services](/services/security-guarding) 1992 ## Where It Started SPS began life as Security Patrol Services, built around practical, local security support. The original focus was simple: help clients protect their premises, respond when problems happened, hold keys securely, patrol sites, open and lock buildings, and provide reassurance when businesses needed support. That practical foundation still matters today. Although the business has changed and grown, clients still need a security provider that can respond properly, communicate clearly and take responsibility when support is needed. 1990s–2000s ## Building a Guarding Business During the 1990s and 2000s, SPS expanded significantly within the security guarding sector. At one stage, the business employed more than 800 security officers across a wide range of contracts, sectors and environments. Guarding became a major part of the business and remains an important service today. It gave SPS deep operational experience in site security, officer management, client communication, supervision, compliance and out-of-hours support. It also helped the business understand something important: good security is not just about placing an officer on site. It is about having the right people, the right support, the right reporting, the right escalation process and the right management structure around them. Evolution ## Why SPS Evolved Over time, the guarding industry changed. Rising employment costs, increased compliance requirements, recruitment challenges and pressure on margins meant that large-scale guarding models became more difficult to deliver at the standards SPS wanted to maintain. Rather than simply chasing volume, SPS made a conscious decision to evolve. The business began moving towards a more balanced, practical and resilient security model — one that still includes guarding, but also brings together mobile patrols, keyholding, alarm response, open-up and lock-up services, remote CCTV monitoring, access control, technical systems and control room coordination. This shift was not about moving away from security. It was about delivering security in a smarter, more sustainable and more useful way for clients. 2000 ## A Long-Term Regional Partner In 2000, SPS won its first university contract. More than 25 years later, that relationship still continues. That long-standing partnership reflects how SPS has grown: through consistency, trust, responsiveness and a willingness to adapt as client needs change. Over the years, SPS has supported organisations across education, commercial property, industrial sites, retail, healthcare, public-sector locations and mixed-use estates. Many of these relationships have been built over time because clients wanted a provider that understood their sites, communicated properly and could offer practical support rather than generic security answers. Today ## Returning to Our Roots, With Modern Technology Today, SPS is increasingly focused on the services that shaped the business in the first place: keyholding, alarm response, mobile patrols, open-up and lock-up services, vacant property checks and out-of-hours site support. The difference now is that these services are supported by stronger systems and better technology. Remote CCTV monitoring, access control, alarm signalling, digital incident reporting, control room coordination and technical support allow SPS to provide a more connected service than traditional patrol and response models alone. This means clients can benefit from practical local response, backed by modern monitoring, reporting and technical capability. [Keyholding & Alarm Response](/services/keyholding-alarm-response) [Mobile Patrols](/services/mobile-patrols) [Remote CCTV Monitoring](/remote-cctv-monitoring-access-control-support) [Control Room](/services/control-room) Quality ## Guarding Today: Quality Over Volume Security guarding remains one of SPS Security's core services, but the focus today is different. SPS is not trying to be the biggest guarding provider by officer numbers. The priority is to deliver a better-quality service, built around well-supported officers, stronger supervision, clearer reporting and better long-term relationships with clients. We want to attract and retain high-quality security officers, invest in their training, support them properly and give them the tools they need to perform well. A stable, trained and motivated team delivers better outcomes for clients. It improves consistency, reduces disruption, strengthens site knowledge and supports a more professional service. [Security Guarding](/services/security-guarding) People ## Investing in People Good security services are built around good people. SPS continues to invest in recruitment, training, supervision, operational support and staff retention because experienced and supported people provide better service. Rather than operating a revolving-door staffing model, SPS aims to build long-term teams who understand client sites properly, communicate professionally and take pride in the role they perform. This people-first approach supports stronger relationships, better consistency and more reliable service delivery across the region. 2018 ## Growth Into Security Systems From around 2018, SPS placed greater focus on security systems, remote monitoring, access control and technical support. This became an important part of the company's growth. By combining physical security services with technical capability, SPS can support clients with a more joined-up approach. Instead of separating guarding, keyholding, monitoring and systems support, SPS can help clients understand how these services work together to reduce risk, improve response and provide better visibility. [SPS Technical Division](/services/technical-security) 2023 ## The TESS Acquisition In 2023, SPS acquired TESS, further strengthening the Group's technical and engineering capability. This expanded the wider business to a team of 25+ multi-skilled engineers, supporting fire, security, access control, CCTV, alarm systems and wider technical services. The acquisition strengthened SPS Group's ability to support clients with both people-led security services and technical systems expertise. 2024 ## A Modern 24/7 Control Room In 2024, SPS upgraded its control room, creating a more modern, connected and responsive operation. The control room now plays a central role in coordinating monitoring, helpdesk support, alarm response, mobile patrols, escalation, incident logging and out-of-hours communication. This investment reflects where SPS is heading: combining experienced people, local response and modern technology to give clients better visibility and stronger operational support. [24/7 Control Room](/services/control-room) Group ## Part of the Wider SPS Group Today, SPS Security is part of the wider SPS Group, with £25m+ Group turnover and nearly 1,000 people across Security, Cleaning and Technical Services. This gives clients access to broader support while still retaining the accountability and responsiveness of a regional provider. Where appropriate, SPS Group can support clients across security, cleaning, technical systems, monitoring, keyholding, mobile response and maintenance — helping organisations simplify supply chains and improve coordination. [SPS Group](/sps-group) Core ## What Has Stayed the Same The business has changed, but the core approach has stayed consistent. SPS continues to focus on doing the basics properly, communicating honestly, supporting its people, being visible and accountable, responding when clients need help, investing in systems and technology, building long-term client relationships and providing best value rather than simply the lowest price. That approach has shaped the business since 1992 and continues to guide the way SPS works today. ## What Guides Us SPS has a dedicated Values page that explains the principles behind the way we work, including transparency, creativity, reliability, best value, data-led improvement and local accountability. On this page, the story is simple: SPS has always been built around trust, practical support and long-term relationships. [Read Our Values](/about/values-ethos) ## Looking Ahead The future of SPS Security is not about moving away from its roots. It is about strengthening them. Keyholding, alarm response, mobile patrols, open-up and lock-up services remain as relevant today as they were when Security Patrol Services began. The difference is that SPS can now support those services with modern technology, a 24/7 control room, technical engineering capability and the strength of a wider regional Group. SPS Security will continue to invest in people, training, systems, reporting, monitoring, technical capability and local response. The aim is simple: to keep improving while staying true to what has always mattered — dependable local service, clear communication and long-term relationships. FAQs ## Frequently asked questions When was SPS Security founded? SPS Security was established in 1992, originally as Security Patrol Services. What did SPS Security originally focus on? SPS originally focused on practical security services such as mobile patrols, keyholding, alarm response, open-up and lock-up services. Is SPS Security part of SPS Group? Yes. SPS Security is part of the wider SPS Group, with £25m+ Group turnover and nearly 1,000 people across Security, Cleaning and Technical Services. Did SPS previously operate a large guarding business? Yes. During its growth, SPS employed more than 800 security officers and built significant experience in guarding, supervision, compliance and operational support. Does SPS still provide security guarding? Yes. Guarding remains an important SPS service, but the focus is now on quality, training, retention, supervision and long-term value rather than simply supplying high volumes of officers. Why has SPS diversified beyond guarding? SPS has diversified because client needs, technology, employment costs and security risks have changed. The business now combines guarding with keyholding, alarm response, mobile patrols, monitoring, access control and technical systems. When did SPS move more into security systems? SPS placed greater focus on security systems, remote monitoring, access control and technical services from around 2018. When did SPS acquire TESS? SPS acquired TESS in 2023, strengthening the Group's engineering and technical capability. What changed in the SPS control room in 2024? In 2024, SPS upgraded its control room to support more modern monitoring, helpdesk, response coordination, incident logging and out-of-hours communication. What makes SPS different today? SPS combines local accountability, long-standing client relationships, professional guarding, mobile response, 24/7 control room support and growing technical capability. About SPS Security [About SPS Security](/about) [Our Values & Ethos](/about/values-ethos) [Social Value](/about/social-value) [Sustainability](/about/sustainability) [Accreditations & Compliance](/about/accreditations-compliance) [Careers](/careers) Get in touch ## Speak to a Regional Security Team That Knows Your Area Whether you need guarding, keyholding, alarm response, open-up and lock-up services, mobile patrols, CCTV monitoring, access control support or a wider review of your security arrangements, SPS Security can help you find the right approach. [Contact SPS Security](/contact-us) [Explore Our Services](/services/security-guarding)[Request a Security Review](/tools/security-review) Hull Office [01482 226570](tel:01482226570) Coverage Yorkshire & Lincolnshire — Hull, Grimsby, Lincoln offices Main [Home](/)[About SPS](/about)[Contact](/contact-us)[Request a Quote](/quote)[Find Your Location](/locations)[Our Coverage](/how-we-operate/coverage)[Careers](/careers) Security Services [Security Guarding](/services/security-guarding)[Mobile Patrols](/services/mobile-patrols)[Keyholding & Alarm Response](/services/keyholding-alarm-response)[CCTV & Monitoring](/remote-cctv-monitoring-access-control-support)[Technical Security](/services/technical-security)[All Security Services](/services) Tools & Insights [Security Review](/tools/security-review)[Security Cost Planner](/tools/security-cost-planner)[Local Risk Snapshot](/tools/local-risk-snapshot)[Rapid Security Check](/tools/rapid-security-check)[Security Insights](/insights)[Case Studies](/case-studies) Specialist [Martyn's Law Readiness](/martyns-law-security-readiness)[Readiness Review Tool](/martyns-law-readiness-review)[Awareness Check](/martyns-law-awareness-check)[Integrated Security Delivery](/how-we-operate/integrated-security-delivery)[Client Reporting & Visibility](/how-we-operate/client-reporting)[ProtectUK Guidance](https://www.protectuk.police.uk/) [Request a Quote](/quote)[Send Us a Tender](/tools/security-tender-assistant)[Leave Feedback](/feedback)[SPS Group](/sps-group) Part of the SPS Group [Cleaning](https://www.ics-cleaning.com)| [Security](/)| [Technical](https://www.sps-technical.com) Find us on social media [](https://www.facebook.com/SPSSecurityLtd)[](https://www.linkedin.com/company/sps-security-ltd) [Privacy Policy](/privacy-policy)Cookie Settings[Accreditations](/about/accreditations-compliance)[Sustainability](/about/sustainability)[Social Value](/about/social-value) © 2026 SPS Security. 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