Frequently asked questions about security in Brussels

Yes. Our officers work in all 19 municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region, from Anderlecht to Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, as well as throughout Belgium. Our head office is in Dilbeek, just outside Brussels.

We combine professional excellence with a people-centred approach: reliability, discretion and tailored protection plans designed around each client’s real needs, rather than one-size-fits-all solutions.

Yes. Our emergency line is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and our officers can be deployed day or night, on weekdays and at weekends. The office is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm.

Yes. The review of your needs, the security assessment and the quote are free and without obligation. We will reply within 24 hours.

Yes, OWL Security is a 100% Belgian company (OWL SECURITY SRL, CBE number 1017.585.131). Our knowledge of Brussels on the ground helps us understand the specific needs of local businesses and organisations.

We start by reviewing your needs and carrying out an on-site audit: layout, access points, hours, risks. From this we draw up a documented plan, delivered through a single point of contact and refined through regular reviews.

Trained and certified security professionals who receive ongoing training, notably in de-escalation and conflict management. We select officers who combine vigilance with a genuine sense of hospitality.

We respond to every request within 24 hours. How soon we can start then depends on the set-up required; for urgent needs, call our line directly, which is available 24/7.

Manned guarding means a guard is permanently on your premises during set hours. They control access, patrol the site and respond immediately to any incident. Occasional patrols, with no guard stationed on site, offer a less continuous presence. During the audit, we help you choose the option that suits your level of risk and your opening hours.

Yes. OWL Security is available 24/7 and can provide night, weekend or bank holiday guarding as required. Critical time slots are agreed with you during the site assessment, then built into the post orders and the guards’ rota.

Yes, our guards can work alongside the CCTV and alarm already installed on your site: monitoring screens where planned, responding to alerts and reporting faults. However, OWL Security does not install cameras or alarms; we work with the equipment already in place.

It depends on capacity, the type of audience, the venue layout, the number of entrances and whether alcohol or high-profile guests are involved. We do not quote a standard figure: the number of stewards and guards is set after a site visit and risk assessment, in consultation with the organiser and the venue manager.

Bag checks and pat-down searches are strictly regulated by Belgian private security law. They may only be carried out under the conditions set out in the legislation. We build these rules into the security plan and recommend that you check the official provisions that apply to your event.

Yes, where the event requires it and after reviewing it with the organiser. Our guards can control access to dressing rooms and backstage areas, escort artists or speakers around the site and coordinate their arrivals and departures with the production, always with discretion.

The powers of security guards are strictly defined by the Belgian Act of 2 October 2017. They do not have police powers. If they witness an offence, they act within the limits set by law, prioritise de-escalation and call the authorities. Please refer to the official texts for full details.

Either is possible. Depending on your brand and your risks, we opt for a visible presence at the entrance, discreet surveillance on the shop floor, or a mix of both. Either way, our guards stay courteous and approachable to protect your customers’ experience.

Yes. Cover can be increased temporarily during busy periods such as the sales, the run-up to Christmas or an in-store event. This extra cover is planned with your single point of contact so that it stays consistent with your usual procedures.

It is not mandatory in every case, but it often makes sense when plant, valuable materials or copper are left on site, or when the perimeter is hard to secure. The audit tells us whether you need a permanent presence, occasional patrols or enhanced cover with a dog unit.

Yes, dog units are available to strengthen construction site security, particularly on large or isolated sites. Whether they are worthwhile is assessed during the site analysis, depending on the layout, the risks and the surrounding area.

Yes. If your site has cameras or an alarm, our guards respond to alerts, carry out on-site checks and report any faults. OWL Security does not install these systems, but works with the equipment already in place.

A receptionist focuses on welcoming visitors and admin. A front-desk security officer adds a control dimension: checking visitors, managing badges, keeping the log, staying alert and responding to incidents. They are trained for these tasks and work within the legal framework for private security.

As Brussels is an international city, we take the languages your building needs into account when selecting officers. Let us know your language requirements when you request a quote, and we will discuss them with you to propose the right profile.

Yes. Receiving, logging and handing over parcels and deliveries can form part of the post orders. We agree the exact procedure with you so that it fits your organisation and does not create a gap in access control.

Yes, under certain conditions. The Belgian Act of 2 October 2017 strictly governs security work on the public highway and in places open to the public. Private guards do not replace the police and their powers are limited. Please check the official texts that apply to your situation.

We work in parks, squares, around transport hubs, at markets, sports or cultural facilities and other places open to the public, at the request of those who manage them. The arrangements are always defined after an analysis of the site and its footfall.

Our guards are trained in de-escalation and conflict management. They favour dialogue and calming things down, remind people of the site rules and, when a situation goes beyond their remit, call in the authorities in line with the escalation procedure agreed with you.