With today’s ‘Bodyguard’ too often treated as a fashion accessory by minor celebrities and the role often undermined, it is worth remembering that those who really are rich and famous still value their safety and personal protection highly.
For those for whom real threats exist, a close protection operative is vital – he can mean the difference between life and death – and it is fascinating to take a rare glimpse into this secretive and sometimes glamorous lifestyle of some of our operatives who have seen it and done it.
Take for example former Harrods boss Mohammad Al Fayed – an extremely wealthy high net worth individual – a client with a reputation for being ruthless when striving for perfection.
It has been widely reported that he was very cut throat in his approach to security at his former store let alone his personal safety, and let’s face it, with an estimated worth of $1.3 billion he can afford to be picky!
When dealing with a client of this profile the risk of kidnap and ransom is very real both to the individual and his family although for most, especially Al Fayed, a bigger concern was commercial espionage and the threats of information gathering or being under surveillance.
The Al Fayed team consists of 35-40 people spilt over a week on week off rotation. On the face of it these people would be perceived as bodyguards however each one has an additional attribute eg. As a medical specialist, a pupil of close quarter combat, an advanced driver, etc. and quite often hold a teaching qualification so they can pass on their skills to the rest of the team.
The plan is to organically grow the strength of the team from within – a team who are paid fairly well and are accommodated in the staff quarters of Al Fayeds London residence on Park Lane, Mayfair.
Another example of a high profile individual reliant on personal protection is a multi-million pound international footballer his pop star wife and children.
The major threat to them will always be a nuisance from autograph and souvenir hunters as well as unwanted attention from overzealous fans or even stalkers. The team for this particular client is fairly small and consists of three people who rotate between two working and the other resting on standby. The team live with the family in staff quarters at all times whether it is in the UK or US and with the family frequently split between the UK and other countries the security would be split between the footballer, mother and children.
If professional or personal circumstances require the team can be supplemented by other UK Close protection operators who have preferably worked with the family before to ensure continuity.
Furthermore, if the client or family member were permanently seconded in a foreign country they will be accompanied by one or more of the permanent staff who would work alongside CPO’s from that country. This alleviates legal issues around carrying weapons and contributes towards local knowledge throughout the planning and operational stages of the protection.
The Royal Family
Contrary to what many people believe, the protection of the British Royal family is the responsibility of the police and is one of the only personal protection teams that will be armed on British shores. Because the team is made up from police officers, they have a huge support network and the resources that go with it to call up on making them extremely versatile especially when moving through traffic for example.
The level of direct support would vary depending on what they are doing but most royal residences are provided with 24 hour uniformed police support and members of the family allocated individual protection teams tailored to suit the task.
Prime has operatives who have worked on the Royal Protection squad though what they have done is of course a state secret and of course illegal to publish.
James Spensley
Prime Media Safety
