Since its launch at the end of 2010, the UK Security Alliance has been going from strength-to-strength. The UK Security Alliance was created by experienced, professional close protection officers who wanted to ensure that users of professional security services had a reliable and honest resource they could use.

Stephen Hopkins, founder of the UK Security Alliance comments “It’s great to see Simon Doull putting his name behind the UK Security Alliance. Recently we had four members of the UK Security Alliance working overseas on the same task for two months. This is just one of many jobs our members have been working on recently. It’s great to see that our unique format has started to be accepted and used by clients of security services.  I look forward to introducing a new service that will hugely benefit clients and I look forward to working with Simon again soon.”

Simon Doull – television cricket commentator says “I would recommend using UK Security Alliance personnel to everyone who requires professional security services. I have been travelling to India for many years with my job in television and the need for professional security has become more and more relevant. My experience recently with the UK Security Alliance and their personnel was outstanding and it left me in no doubt that they will be my security choice from now on. I would recommend the UKSA for any commercial and personal security requirements.”

The UK Security Alliance is a not-for-profit group. Stephen Hopkins has over 11 years experience working in the professional security industry, in operational, management and consultant positions. The UK Security Alliance has a strict application process for potential members. This ensures clients of the UKSA receive the highest levels of service from proven and experienced professionals.

For more information visit the UK Security Alliance Web Site.

The shocking reality is that the person you could be entrusting yours and possibly your families safety to, may never have worked in security before.  Yes, they may have a close protection licence issued by the SIA (Security Industry Authority), but all this really means is that they have completed and passed a 150 hour course, have been vetted by means of a CRB check (Criminal Records Bureau), and have paid £245 to the government to be allowed to work legally in the UK security industry.

Many security companies advertise that all their security officers are SIA licenced – Well they should be anyway as it’s the law, BUT, just being in possession of an SIA Licence DOES NOT guarantee that you will get the experienced and knowledgeable security officer you think you are getting.

Licensing the close protection industry meant that the once self-regulating CP industry was now open to all. There are now over 6,500 licenced close protection people.

I have personally seen people who are willing to work for minimum wage to get their foot in the door and get some working experience in close protection. I would never even consider putting someone with no CP experience on a task, but other companies do, and they do it because there is profit in doing so.

YOU are solely in charge of your security. This means you decide if you need close protection services, but it doesn’t stop there. It’s still up to you to make sure you have security officers that have the knowledge and experience to carry out the task. If you or your representative purchase close protection services based on price alone, then you are cutting corners on something you could end up regretting.

Anyone can put up a web site, borrow text from other sites and make it seem like they are experts in the security industry. Some security companies throw the huge security net out there, hoping that if they offer every security related service, that they might get a bite. We write this blog so that it gives you an insight into how we think, and we have considerable experience in the security services we offer.

If you need close protection services and think you’ve negotiated a great deal for £10 per hour, after the company has taken their part, the person on the ground might be lucky to get £8 per hour. Be aware that this is the type of cost that you won’t find experienced CPO’s willing to work for, but the people who have no experience will. You have just taken a huge gamble on your security.

We have quoted for jobs that we didn’t initially get, only to be called half way through to come and take over because the people they had chosen for the task turned up late every day, were scruffy, didn’t have any people skills, didn’t understand the job requirements or were completely the wrong type of people for the environment … but they were initially chosen because they were cheaper!

If your security is important to you and you require experienced, professional close protection security officers, then please contact us.

With Capitol Risk, it’s all about the quality of service we can offer you. Our security officers go above and beyond the call of duty and ensure that they always have the client’s best interests in mind.

Capitol Risk are experienced in providing Static Security Services. We provided security services to one client for an office building in their portfolio on a 24/7 bases, which lasted for five years until the building was sold. Our security staff also collectively became the building manager, taking care of any issues that arose, and we were also the general point-of-contact between the tenants and the landlords. As the security provider, we were also charged with the design and specification of the security control room. Even with the extra tasks we picked up, our priority of maintaining security for the premises was never compromised during this time, all thanks to the capabilities of our excellent security staff.

One of the most important things that commonly get overlooked are the security officers on the ground. When companies take on security services from a new supplier, they will talk to the accounts manager, the area manager and possibly the director … but the most important people are the actual security officers who will be at customer / client facing level. With Capitol Risk, it’s just not good enough that a security officer has the right SIA licence. We always closely look at and select the very best security officers to work at premises.

Quality over Quantity

Usually such a personal service can sometimes come at a premium, but you would be surprised at how competitive our Static Security Services are when compared to other companies.  To maintain the highest level of service and professional security officers, we have a simple ideology … We simply don’t take on more than we can handle.

Please contact Capitol Risk for more information about Static Security Services.

contact @ capitolrisk . co . uk

With so many security companies to choose from, how do you select a goood one? Or more importantly, the right one for your security task?

I can’t tell you how you do that, but I can tell you about Capitol Risk and how we do things.

At Capitol Risk, we still have old school values when it comes to the security officers we use, no matter what the task is.

We don’t believe that just because a security officer is ex-special forces or police, makes them the right choice to be placed on your security detail. We don’t try and force that point on potential clients either. If the security task requires someone to stand in the same place for 5 hours, you still need the right person for that task.

People who are unfamiliar with the UK security industry may think that just because a security officer holds a valid Close Protection licence, they are qualified and experienced enough to give you the level of protection you require. On paper, these security officers are qualified, but the unfortunate reality is that many people who hold SIA Close Protection Licences have never worked in the security industry, and many CP licence holders who do work in the security industry may never have worked as part of a real close protection detail.

This is where our experience in the security industry and our values really come in to play. We only use professional career security officers who we have personally worked with, or who have come through our network of professional security officers. Professionals will never risk tarnishing their reputations by recommending someone who might be below standard, so to us it makes perfect sense to hire using this format.

There are many factors that go into team selection, but when you use Capitol Risk, you can rest assured that we will have found the best people to suit your security requirements. We have never placed someone on a security team just because they have the right SIA licence.

Capitol Risk are very well connected in London and work with the best supplementary services in the West End. We have access to a  fleet of brand new, very high spec Mercedes, at your disposal, with a brand new Bentley for that special occasion, and other vehicles available on special request. We have access to a Box at the o2 Arena and can usually arrange tickets for booked out shows and restaurants in the West End. Offering more than just personal security services, we can assign a personal assistant to the team who will manage your complete visit.

Contact Capitol Risk to find out how we can help you with your next security task.

contact @ capitol risk. co.uk

There are many documented cases of famous people who have been away from home and had their houses targeted by thieves. More serious cases have reported the persons family being held at knife-point.

Stories such as these could have been avoided by means of a simple risk assessment. If you are going on holiday or leaving town for a couple of days and half the world know where you are, then you should put together a simple security plan to safeguard your home and/or family. What people sometime forget, is that it’s not just the law-abiding citizens who are reading the news papers and magazines.

For celebrities who need the media for their careers, they must remember that the thing that keeps them in the public eye can also be their enemy. I remember seeing a large photo in a tabloid news paper of a football player leaving his house, wallet in hand, and it was clearly stuffed with £50 notes! Possible future target?

Its not a case of surrounding yourself with bodyguards. It’s about making yourself aware that being in the public eye can make you a target, and raising your personal security awareness could dramatically lessen your chances of becoming a victim of crime. Just because something hasn’t happened, doesn’t mean that it won’t happen in the future.

The number one rule of personal security is that YOU are responsible for your own personal security!

This rule doesn’t mean you have to undertake every aspect of your own security. Just recognizing that you need to make some changes and reporting them to the security manager is a great start. If you work for a large corporation or are a celebrity in your field, you will usually have an in-house  security manager you can ask for advice.  They should then be able to make some recommendations  for you. If you don’t have an in-house security manager but still recognize you might need to make some changes, then contacting a trusted, professional and experienced company like Capitol Risk is a good place to start.

Building a relationship with a good security company can be an invaluable asset.  It’s assuring knowing you have someone to turn to if you really need help any time of the day or night.

Supplying security services now days is more than just about supplying security officers. Capitol Risk for example can organize for you to be picked up, driven to a private airport to meet a private aircraft and then flown to an exclusive luxury paradise island. Then once you are fully relaxed, bring you all the way back home to your door step. If you would one day be on holiday and happen to find yourself in the middle of a political uprising, then we would also be in a position to get security officers to you and get you out of the country.  Extensive networks and connections enable us to bring you fully managed security services for every aspect of your life.

I once had a client say to me that he wasn’t going to call me about a specific task as it was only small and he thought it would be too much trouble. I told him that it doesn’t matter what the task is, it’s always best to call as that’s what we are here for; and I would say that to everyone who might think the same. Every security task we undertake gets 100% of our dedication, nothing is ever too small.

Remember – There is no such thing as random crime.

Making arrangements and using security services before something happens is never a waste of time or money.

Security Services introduction from Capitol Risk

contact @ capitolrisk.co.uk

Consulting with professional security companies at the offset can often relieve some of the stresses that go with planning visits and events. Capitol Risk doesn’t charge for security consultations when we are supplying security officers for your future task.

Make sure you plan the security services you need well in advance if you can. Imagine when the Olympics 2012 come to London. Suddenly the need for security will increase at least 10-fold. Leaving this to the last minute may mean that all the reputable security companies are completely booked or worst case a ‘less-reputable’ firm may just supply you with just ‘a body’ or you won’t have security at all when you need it.

Don’t worry about calling months in advance. If you require security services we provide, we will ensure we remain in contact with you in the weeks and months leading up to your security project. Just one less thing you have to worry about.

E: contact @ capitolrisk .co.uk

When companies spend millions of pounds creating new, much anticipated products, they want to know that their product will be safe and secure.

It’s not just companies that require security for their products. Individuals with valuable antiques, artwork and jewellery  that need transporting form one place to another use our Asset Protection service for peace-of-mind.

Whether you have something small that you can fit in your pocket, or something large that you have to carry on the back of a lorry, Capitol Risk can ensure the safety of your valuable items.

If you require this type of service please contact us:

E: contact @ capitolrisk .co.uk

Someone who protects someone?

Someone who protects someone important?

A person who is responsible for the safety of another person?

Well yes … But being a Close Protection Officer (CPO) or Bodyguard is far more than just  protecting someone. This is especially so when working with principals who have a public image to maintain.

The Capitol Risk definition of a Close Protection Officer or Bodyguard is …

Someone who creates a safe environment where the person we are charged with looking after can live as normal life as possible pertaining to the perceived level of threat.

All of our Close protection Officers understand that close protection is more than just protecting someone.

Please view our gallery to see  some of the people we have provided Close Protection services to.

Our Close Protection Service is  available worldwide.

If you require this service, please contact us at:

contact @ capitolrisk.co.uk