Close Protection is the provision of physical personal security by a bodyguard or bodyguards (close protection team) to a person (principal/protectee) or a group of people at risk of harassment, harm, or attack. Close protection aims to prevent injury, loss, damage, or death. Principals are often celebrities, wealthy individuals, CEOs, royalty, and heads of state.
© Westminster Security, 2020-24
As the UK’s leading provider of close protection services, we are duty-bound to educate potential clients and employees about all aspects of close protection security. Close protection is a niche service within the security sector that is plagued by rogue companies and operators, please do your due diligence in reading the relevant articles below and get in touch if we can be of any further assistance.
The UK public generally refers to close protection operatives as bodyguards. On this page, you will find several articles answering the most popular questions on bodyguards, especially in the UK. Whether you are looking to hire a bodyguard or for expert advice and commentary on the subject. Westminster Security has over 20 years of experience…
Close protection services in Paris are becoming ever more popular. Bodyguards are a common sight around the city as people worry more about their personal security and safety. Recent terrorist attacks have drawn attention to some of the dangers. Many visitors feel more vulnerable and afraid. As a result, they are seeking tighter personal security…
Continue Reading Close Protection Services in Paris and France
Advice and Support for Security Industry Professionals When you are a Close Protection Operative (CPO), working in close proximity to your principal and CP team members is an occupational hazard. If you are doing your job correctly, social distancing is entirely out of the question. Maintaining ‘close’ contact with your principal is an essential part…
Protective surveillance is becoming an ever more popular method of protection preferred by prominent business people, families and visiting dignitaries. It’s a less obtrusive form of close protection, amalgamated with surveillance to provide a discreet personal protection service. Please watch the video below or read on to learn more about protective surveillance. Our guest writer…
You had a long distinguished career in the Military or Police before the bright lights of London stole your heart, and you decided to become a close protection bodyguard – after realising you could do it much better than Kevin Costner (Frank Farmer). After many years of chasing the dream, you realise everything they told…
Private close protection operatives in the UK cannot be armed. Firearms in the UK are banned and illegal. Therefore no, bodyguards are not allowed to be armed and carry guns in the UK. Furthermore, it is against the law for civilian close protection operatives to carry any other weapons, including pepper spray, mace, batons, or…
Continue Reading Do Close Protection Operatives Carry Guns in the UK?
Many people presume that you need to come from a military background to become a bodyguard / close protection operative. In reality, it depends on which sector of close protection an individual wants to work in. Hostile Environment Close Protection If the close protection assignment is within a hostile environment such as Iraq, Afghanistan, or…
Continue Reading Should close protection operatives have a military background?
There are many different aspects to understanding the security chauffeur’s role. Chauffeurs have been around as far back as the late 1800s employed to drive the wealthy owners of the early motor car. The chauffeur’s duties would consist of driving their employers and their families to and from their residence and/or place of work during…
One of the most important factors of being a successful Close Protection Operative is good health. No one wants to hire an unhealthy CPO it goes against everything we stand for. Physical health and fitness are essential to the job, how can you expect to look after your principal successfully if you can’t even look…
Continue Reading Maintaining Health and Fitness during Covid-19
As featured in The Daily Mail. Copyright Paul Thomas for the Daily Mail. To order a print of this Paul Thomas cartoon visit Mailpictures.newsprints.co.uk or call 0191 6030 178. Many unfortunate things have grown out of the coronavirus pandemic, dognapping or dog theft has seen a sharp rise in cases due to the high demand…
Close protection operatives (CPOs) have all come across the acronyms PERSEC (Personal Security), OPSEC (Operational Security), and COMSEC (Communications Security). But all too often, operatives fall foul of the exact reasoning behind the requirements of PERSEC, OPSEC, and COMSEC. Please watch the video below or read on to learn more about PERSEC, OPSEC and COMSEC.…
What is Executive Protection? Executive Protection (EP), also known as Close Protection (CP), refers to security and risk mitigation measures taken to ensure the safety of VIPs or other individuals who may be exposed to elevated personal risk because of their employment, high-profile status, net worth, affiliations or geographical location. The United States Secret Service originated…
Let’s discuss how to successfully apply for close protection jobs by focussing on preparing your close protection CV. The close protection sector is cut-throat and often described as ‘flooded’. Yet there is still a massive draw to the profession. Why? Perhaps the allure of the elusive high wages and luxury lifestyle promised by unscrupulous close…
Continue Reading The Close Protection CV – Successfully Applying for Close Protection Jobs
It’s hard to imagine that any royal family member lives in fear. Yet this stark reality is a fact of life for individuals of royal stock. Put lavish palaces, opulent yachts, helicopters, and private jets aside. An affluent lifestyle can become meaningless if you constantly live with fear and anxiety. A life of fear and…
What is the difference between a close protection company and a security guard company? Many would think there is none, but contrary to general knowledge, there is a significant difference between the two types of private security companies. It’s like comparing apples and oranges. Along with “How much does it cost to hire a bodyguard?”…
Continue Reading Close Protection Company vs Security Guard Company
Westminster Security provides professional close protection security services in London, the UK, and worldwide.
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) regulates the UK Close Protection Industry. The SIA stipulates the minimum (some say minimal) training requirements for licensed close protection operatives (CPOs) or bodyguards.
CPOs applying for a front-line Close Protection licence must hold a Level 3 qualification for ‘Working as a Close Protection Operative’ within the Private Security Industry. CPOs can choose from many different close protection courses and training providers. However, the SIA has developed a “Specification for Learning and Qualifications for Close Protection Operatives” which all courses must adhere to.
Aspiring close protection operatives must study fourteen different areas and aspects of close protection. Below are the different areas with our unique and in-depth expert commentary on each of these areas of close protection training courses. Westminster Security is not a training company so these articles are completely unbiased, honest, and neutral.
Understanding the roles and responsibilities of a close protection operative (CPO) is the obvious starting point for any person considering training and employment within the…
Close protection provision should be relative to the threat, or the perceived threat towards the Principal and the risk level. So, it is essential to…
Basic surveillance skills are essential within the close protection industry. Ultimately, if someone wishes to cause physical and or reputational harm to a Principal, it…
Read More … Surveillance, Anti Surveillance & Counter Surveillance
The Purpose of Operational Planning The purpose of close protection ‘Operational Planning’ is to create a plan of action that will be made known to…
Unfortunately, some close protection operatives (CPOs) and close protection security companies do not give much thought to the law. Consequently, they may fall foul of…
Interpersonal skills are life skills used every day to communicate and interact with other people, individually and in groups. For close protection operatives/officers (CPOs), or…
Read More … Interpersonal Skills for Close Protection Officers
Understand the importance of teamwork and operational briefing within a close protection environment. Attributes of a Team Successful teams in all walks of life, be…
Time spent on reconnaissance is seldom wasted. The General Public usually think of close protection operatives (CPOs) or bodyguards as ‘bullet catchers’, ‘knuckle draggers’, or…
The Purpose of Foot Drills To move with the Principal from one safe location to another as safely as possible within the perceived level of…
“A principal is more vulnerable to attack when in transit”. The history of assassinations, that of successful and unsuccessful attempts will teach us that one…
Close protection journey management involves operational planning, reconnaissance, security advance parties, route selection, and search procedures. We have discussed these topics elsewhere. So, here we…
Anyone in any security role at any level, from a retail security guard to a government level close protection operative, will be required to search…
Close protection operatives (CPOs/Bodyguards) will, at some time, have to manage an incident of some description. Incident or dilemma? The types of incidents can vary…
It is imperative for close protection operatives and close protection teams alike to understand and appreciate venue security. Taking a Principal to any venue, hotel,…
Westminster Security provides professional close protection security services in London, the UK, and worldwide.
In addition to our London Headquarters, Westminster Security has a North UK regional office in the North West of England, with Close Protection Operatives based in all major cities and counties throughout the whole of the UK and Ireland. Our mainland Europe office is in central Paris, France, and our Middle East office is in central Dubai, UAE.
Close Protection Services in Liverpool In today’s fast-paced, demanding, and increasingly volatile environment, more and more people are turning to personal close protection services to ensure that they are able to go about their daily routines safely and securely. Here at Westminster Security, we’re proud to be the leading provider of close protection services in…
Professional Bodyguard Services in Manchester With the ever-increasing population and crime rate, coupled with a lack of confidence in the police and government cutbacks, more and more people are turning to private security companies to ensure their personal safety and security. Many are hiring close protection to protect them daily, during special events, or in…
Close protection officers in Cheshire, or bodyguards as they are more commonly known, are not as rare as you might imagine. Bodyguards in Cheshire are not a new concept, and personal protection is not just reserved for the rich and famous. Many people feel the need to hire private security at different times of their…
Westminster Security provides professional close protection security services in London, the UK, and worldwide.
