How to Choose a Close Protection Company Twelve Checks Before You Sign
The questions that separate a credible protection provider from a website with stock photography — and the red flags that should end a conversation.
- 5.0 ★ · 39 Google reviews
- SIA-Licensed Officers
- 24/7 enquiries
- BS 7858 Screened
How to Choose a Close Protection Company — in short
Buyer's guide to selecting a UK close protection provider, covering licensing, vetting, insurance, contracts and pricing transparency. Officers hold valid, in-date SIA licences, verifiable on the SIA public register, and are screened to BS 7858 standards. Enquiries are answered 24/7 and, where appropriate, we provide an itemised written quotation following an initial confidential assessment.
Enquiries answered 24/7 — 020 3488 5714 or WhatsApp. Confidential — an NDA is signed before operational detail is exchanged.
Need Urgent Security Cover in London or Manchester?
Unexpected travel change, a security concern or a last-minute event? Enquiries are answered 24/7. Tell us your location, start time and requirements so we can check officer availability. Same-day cover may be possible, subject to availability and assessment; deployment is confirmed individually, not guaranteed.
Your information is treated confidentially • No obligation to proceed
- SIA LicensedLicences checked before deployment
- Public LiabilityCover in place
- BS 7858 Vetted5-year screening
- SIA Register VerifiedEvery licence checked before deployment
- 24/7 EnquiriesUrgent and planned requirements
- 5.0 · GoogleFrom 39 reviews
Why Enquire With VIP Protection Services
- SIA-licensed close protection officers
- BS 7858:2019 security vetting
- Liability cover in place
- 24/7 operations line — senior consultant, not a call centre
- London, UK-wide and international coverage by arrangement
- Written risk assessment before deployment
- Discreet, confidential handling of every enquiry
- Written, itemised quotation after an initial assessment
Confidential · No obligation · SIA licensed · 24/7 enquiries. Out-of-hours WhatsApp messages are reviewed urgently, and availability is confirmed honestly.
Quick Answer
Ask for three things before anything else: the SIA licence number of every officer who will be deployed, evidence of BS 7858 screening, and current public liability and employer liability certificates. A credible provider supplies all three the same day. Anyone who hesitates has told you what you needed to know.
Then look at method. A serious provider produces a written threat assessment before quoting, not a rate card in the first email. If nobody has asked about the principal's routine, residence, travel and public profile, nobody has assessed anything.
Finally, read the contract. Cancellation terms, minimum hours, overtime, travel and accommodation, subcontracting rights and confidentiality should all be explicit. Hidden uplifts on the second invoice are the most common complaint in this industry.
Need cover arranged today?
Speak to a senior protection advisor — confidential, no obligation, written quote the same day.
Your enquiry is handled discreetly. There is no obligation to proceed.
The Twelve Checks
1. SIA licences
Current Close Protection licence numbers for every deployed officer, verifiable on the SIA public register before deployment.
2. BS 7858 screening
Full five-year employment history, identity, right-to-work, financial probity and reference checks, evidenced on request.
3. Insurance
Request current evidence of the liability cover relevant to the proposed assignment.
4. Written threat assessment
Produced before a quote, covering residence, routine, travel, public profile and digital footprint.
5. Named officers
You should know who is turning up, with CVs and continuity commitments, not an anonymous rota.
6. Transparent pricing
One hourly rate, stated minimums, and travel, accommodation and overtime written down in advance.
7. Subcontracting policy
Ask whether officers are directly engaged or subcontracted, and who carries liability if they are.
8. Confidentiality
NDAs as standard, GDPR-compliant data handling and a no-publicity policy on client identities.
9. Medical capability
Trauma first aid as a minimum; FREC 3 or above for extended and overseas mandates.
10. Contingency planning
Absence cover, escalation routes, out-of-hours contact and a named account point of contact.
11. Referenceability
Anonymised case studies and, where clients permit it, verifiable references from comparable mandates.
12. Willingness to say no
The best providers turn work down and recommend cheaper measures when protection is not justified.
Red Flags
How We Answer These
We supply SIA licence numbers, and BS 7858 screening evidence before any contract is signed, and we deploy named officers with continuity written into the agreement.
Every mandate begins with a written threat and vulnerability assessment, and we quote one transparent hourly rate with travel, accommodation and overtime stated in advance. Where the evidence does not justify protective cover, we say so and recommend the proportionate alternative.
Where We Deploy
How to Choose a Close Protection Company — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check a close protection company is legitimate?
Verify officer SIA licence numbers on the SIA public register, request BS 7858 screening evidence and ask for current public and employer liability insurance certificates before signing anything.
What should a close protection quote include?
The hourly rate, minimum hours, number of officers, travel and accommodation, overtime treatment, cancellation terms and what happens if an officer is unavailable.
How much should close protection cost in the UK?
For Choosing a Close Protection Company, cost depends on which elements you need, such as 1. SIA licences, 2. BS 7858 screening and 3. Insurance, as well as officer numbers, hours and assessed risk. We send an itemised written quotation after a short confidential assessment, usually the same working day.
Should the company visit before quoting?
For residential and extended mandates, yes. A site visit and written threat assessment are the basis of a realistic proposal.
Is an SIA-licensed Contractor status important?
It is a useful signal of audited processes, but it is not a substitute for checking individual officer licences, vetting evidence and insurance yourself.
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Choosing a Close Protection Company is provided across London and UK-wide, with international deployments by arrangement. 24/7 enquiries. Same-day deployment may be available subject to location, requirements and officer availability.
Why clients choose VIP Protection Services
5.0 on Google from 39 reviews
All protection officers hold valid, in-date SIA licences (verifiable on the SIA public register).
Officers are screened to BS 7858 standards.
Public liability cover up to £1,000,000 and employers' liability cover up to £10,000,000 (Simply Business policy CHDB5768720XB, valid to 28 September 2027). Certificates are published on the website.
"We contacted VIP Protection Services after becoming familiar with their company through their extensive advertising and strong presence in the UAE. Their reputation and professional image caught our attention, and after making enquiries, we decided to discuss our requirements with their team. We required a comprehensive VIP arrangement involving six close protection officers, together with private jet aviation arrangements. Given the nature of our requirements, it was important for us to work with a company that understood the expectations of international private clients and the importance of discretion, organisation and exceptional service. From our initial contact, the experience was extremely professional. The team took the time to understand our requirements and handled our arrangements with great attention to detail. Communication was excellent, and we were impressed by the coordination involved in bringing everything together. One of the highlights was the private jet itself. We were extremely impressed with the aircraft and its luxurious interior. It was exceptionally clean, beautifully presented and equipped with everything we could have wanted for a comfortable journey. The aircraft featured a lovely onboard bar, three beds, multiple televisions and a beautifully maintained interior. The overall presentation was excellent, with plenty of space to relax and enjoy the journey. Every detail contributed to a very comfortable and luxurious private aviation experience. The six close protection officers were also part of the arrangements we had requested, and the importance of having our security requirements coordinated alongside our travel plans made the experience particularly convenient. What impressed us most was the overall attention to detail, the professional communication and the discreet approach throughout. We felt that our requirements were taken seriously and that the arrangements were handled with the level of care expected when organising international VIP travel and protection. We would happily recommend VIP Protection Services to private clients, executives, families and anyone requiring professional close protection, international VIP security and private aviation arrangements. An excellent experience, and certainly a company we would be happy to approach again for future requirements. Five stars without hesitation!"
"I cannot recommend VIP Protection Services highly enough. From my initial enquiry through to the completion of the assignment, the level of professionalism and attention to detail was outstanding. I required professional close protection and wanted a company that understood the importance of discretion, reliability and personal security. VIP Protection Services took the time to understand my requirements and explained everything clearly before arranging the protection. The close protection personnel were punctual, smartly presented, approachable and extremely professional throughout. Their discreet manner and forward planning gave me complete confidence and allowed me to continue with my commitments without unnecessary disruption. Communication was excellent, and I was particularly impressed by how smoothly everything was organised. If you are looking for professional bodyguard or close protection services in London or anywhere across the UK, I would strongly recommend VIP Protection Services. An excellent experience from beginning to end."
Relevant case studies
Details altered to protect client identity. No client is ever named.
Discuss Your Security Requirements
Every security requirement is different. Speak with our team about your circumstances and we’ll explain the appropriate options, availability and next steps.
Out-of-hours WhatsApp messages are reviewed urgently. Availability is confirmed based on the location and requirement.
Discuss Your Security Requirements
Every security requirement is different. Speak with our team about your circumstances and we’ll explain the appropriate options, availability and next steps.
Your information is treated confidentially • No obligation to proceed