Are security robots the future of site security in the UK?
Autonomous patrol robots and humanoid security robots are getting a lot of attention. Here is a practical look at what they can and cannot do on a UK site today, the legal and privacy points to check, and why a trained person still needs to lead the response.
Security robots will probably play a part in UK site security, but not as a replacement for trained people. For now, the best way to think of an autonomous patrol robot is as a moving camera and sensor platform. It can watch, record and raise an alert. It cannot lawfully or safely deal with an intruder on its own, and someone still has to decide what happens next.
That is the thinking behind the Armour Sentinel concept, our idea for a managed humanoid security robot service in which Armour would supply, operate and oversee patrols, with trained people reviewing alerts and leading any response. It is a future concept, not a live or bookable service, and we do not deploy security robots on client sites today. Below is how we see the technology, the UK rules that shape it, and the questions worth asking before you consider one.
What security robots can do today
Most robots marketed for security fall into a few broad types: wheeled or tracked patrol units for outdoor sites, indoor units for corridors and warehouses, and, more recently, humanoid security robots that attract a lot of media interest. What they can do varies a lot between products, so test any claim on your own site.
In general terms, a security robot is designed to:
- follow a set route, repeatedly and at set times
- carry cameras and other sensors that a fixed camera cannot move
- send live video and alerts to a monitoring team
- provide a visible presence that may make a site look watched
What they cannot do
The limits matter more than the features when you are protecting a real site.
- They cannot use force or make an arrest. The law on reasonable force and on arrest by people other than police officers is written for people, and those decisions need human judgement.
- They cannot exercise discretion. A robot cannot easily tell a lost delivery driver from a thief, or calm a tense situation.
- They depend on the site. Rough ground, steps, weather, lighting and connectivity can all limit where a robot can go and what it can see.
- They still need a person behind them. An alert is only useful if a trained operator checks it and a response follows.
UK legal and privacy points to check
Data protection and CCTV
A security robot that records video is a surveillance system, and the same data protection rules apply as for fixed CCTV. The ICO's guidance on video surveillance covers mobile cameras and AI-based systems, and explains how organisations should stay within UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. The ICO is clear that surveillance should be lawful, necessary and proportionate, and should be a supporting tool rather than a cure for every problem. A camera that roams may capture more people and places than a fixed one, so a data protection impact assessment, clear signage and sensible retention periods all need thought. The ICO notes that this guidance is under review following the Data (Use and Access) Act, so check the latest version.
The Surveillance Camera Code of Practice
The Surveillance Camera Code of Practice, updated with effect from 12 January 2022, applies to public space surveillance in England and Wales. Local authorities and the police must have regard to it, and other operators are encouraged to adopt its 12 principles voluntarily. For a private operator, it is a useful benchmark for purpose, transparency and review.
SIA licensing
SIA licensing applies to people, not machines. Under the SIA's guidance on whether you need an SIA licence, work carried out under a contract for services that involves a licensable activity needs a licence. That includes security guarding, and using CCTV to identify people or monitor their activities to guard premises or people, including viewing recorded footage. In practice, the question with a robot is who watches its camera feed and who responds, and whether those people hold the right licence. If you are unsure, check with the SIA directly.
Trespass and use of force
According to the Crown Prosecution Service, trespass is not of itself a criminal offence, although some offences involve trespass as an element. Any physical intervention by a person is governed by rules such as section 3 of the Criminal Law Act 1967, which allows force that is reasonable in the circumstances, and section 24A of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, which sets strict conditions on arrest by people other than police officers. These are judgements for trained people, which is why we see robots as observers, not enforcers.
Cost compared with guards
We have not seen reliable, published figures that allow a fair like-for-like price comparison, so we will not quote any. Honestly, it depends on the site. When comparing options, look at:
- the purchase, lease or subscription cost and what it includes
- charging, maintenance, repairs and software updates
- who monitors the robot and who attends when it raises an alert
- insurance, data protection and licensing obligations
- whether the site layout suits a robot at all
On many sites, a combination of fixed video verification and human patrols may give better coverage for the money than a single robot. That has to be judged site by site.
Why human-led response still matters
Detection is only half the job. Someone has to verify what the camera is showing, decide whether it is a real threat and act within the law. That still needs a trained person.
That is also how our current services work. Mobile Security Patrols use SIA-licensed officers with GPS-verified visits and clear reporting. Virtual Security Guard provides 24/7 remote video monitoring with a verified response, managed by our own team rather than sub-contracted. SmartGuard 360™ uses AI-powered video verification with 24/7 UK monitoring. Even with a robot on site, an alert would still need someone to attend. Our Alarm Response and Keyholding teams provide SIA-licensed attendance when an alarm activates, and Vacant Property CCTV uses monitored cameras and video verification for empty and void buildings. Any future robot would sit alongside these, not replace the people behind them. For a wider view of the options, see our guide to choosing the right security system.
Frequently asked questions
Are security robots legal in the UK?
The robot itself is rarely the main legal question. What matters is how it is used: its cameras and recordings must comply with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, and the people who monitor it or respond under a security contract may need an SIA licence. Take advice for your own site.
Who responds when a robot detects an intruder?
A person does. The robot raises an alert, and a trained operator checks the footage and decides on the response. A robot cannot use force or make an arrest.
Can a robot security guard replace a human guard?
Not today. A robot can add coverage and record evidence, but it cannot exercise judgement, deal with people or act within the law on force and arrest.
Does Armour Security deploy security robots?
No. Armour Sentinel, our humanoid security robot concept, is a future concept and not a live or bookable service. Our live services are Mobile Security Patrols, Virtual Security Guard and SmartGuard 360™.
Are humanoid security robots ready for UK sites?
They attract a lot of attention, but we would treat any humanoid security robot as experimental until it has been proven on real sites under UK rules.
Armour Security's local coverage is centred on Southend-on-Sea and South Essex. If you are weighing up technology against patrols for a site, we are happy to talk through the options with you, with no obligation. Request a quote or call 01702 416201.