With less than nine months to go until the UK celebrates several high-profile events (including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and, of course, the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games), time is fast running out for visiting VIPs and visiting dignitaries to secure close protection when visiting the UK.
As many thousands of individuals prepare for their arrival in London, the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) is expecting significant demand for close protection services. As a result, the Trade Association has launched a campaign to advise VIPs to act now in order to secure a reputable service provider.
Mike O’Neill, the newly-elected chairman of the BSIA’s Close Protection Section, commented: “There’s a commonly-held perception that the Metropolitan Police Service will provide close protection services to visiting dignitaries, but with police close protection resources already allocated, many visitors will need to appoint a private company to provide such solutions during the summer’s celebrations.”
Continuing the theme, O’Neill stated: “A good working knowledge of London’s geography, its culture and the impact of the events taking place is an essential requirement for effective close protection. Equally important is a close protection officer’s ability to adapt their approach depending on the individuals under protection. For example, an individual travelling with young children or family will have much more complex requirements than a person travelling alone.”
For assurance and safety, the BSIA’s Close Protection Section is recommending that VIPs choose a company listed under the Association’s umbrella, as all of its Close Protection Section members are:
- required to meet the ISO 9001:2008 quality standard
- licensed by the UK’s Regulator – The Security Industry Authority
- holders of the UK’s Close Protection qualification
- background checked (including police criminality checks)
- First-Aid trained
To find out more about the BSIA and its Close Protection Section, or to locate a member, visit the website