The level of professionalism displayed by the Vigilant team during our peak season was unparalleled. Truly elite service.
- SIA Licensed, BS 7858 Vetted Close Protection
Reliable Close Protection Services in UK
When your safety is on the line, you want people who've faced real risk before, not just trained for it. Vigilant provides close protection services UK-wide.
- OFFICER STANDARD
- BS 7858 Vetted
- ACT Trained Protection Officers
- LICENSING & REGULATION
- 100% SIA Licensed
- SIA ACS Approved Contractor
- PROTECTION COVERAGE
- 24/7 / 365
- UK-Wide Rapid Deployment
Who Needs a Close Protection Officer?
Close protection is the provision of a dedicated, SIA-licensed bodyguard or team of security officers to safeguard an individual, their family, or their assets against physical threat, whether that's a public figure managing unwanted attention, an executive travelling for business, or a family concerned about security at home.
At Vigilant, our close protection officers are SIA-licensed, BS7858-vetted and ACT trained, and available nationwide.
Why Close Protection Matters Now?
Demand for close protection and bodyguard services in the UK has grown steadily in recent years. Police-recorded stalking and harassment offences rose 4% to over 623,000 in the year to March 2026, with stalking charges reaching a record high.
Media intrusion, targeted theft, and harassment remain constant risks for high-profile individuals, making close protection essential, not optional.
Trusted Close Protection Across the UK
Vigilant is headquartered in London, with regional offices in Manchester and Scotland, coordinated through a national control line, so officers can deploy anywhere in the UK, with response times reflecting wherever you're based.
Whether it's a single assignment in the capital or ongoing cover outside our regional offices, deployment always runs through the nearest available, fully vetted team.
Who We Protect
Whether you're searching for bodyguard services UK-wide or looking to arrange a bodyguard for hire at short notice, our approach starts the same way, understanding who you are protecting and why.
Our clients include:
- 01
Business executives and company directors requiring protection during travel, meetings, or public appearances
- 02
Celebrities and public figures managing fan attention, paparazzi, or stalking risk
- 03
High-net-worth individuals and families concerned about kidnap, extortion, or burglary
- 04
Politicians, diplomats, and public officials requiring discreet or overt protection
- 05
Event organisers and venues needing close protection for VIP guests
About Our Close Protection Officers
Every close protection officer we deploy is:
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SIA-licensed, meeting legal requirements for close protection work
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ACT trained, with awareness of counter-terrorism protocols and threat recognition
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Vetted to BS7858 standard, the British Standard for security screening of personnel
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NDA-bound from the first consultation, protecting your privacy from the outset
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First aid and threat-recognition trained, with the discretion and situational awareness to blend in
Officers deploy solo for lower-profile assignments or as a full team for higher-risk engagements, with cover tailored to the assignment.
Our Approach
Every close protection assignment we run follows the same disciplined process:
- 01
Risk assessment.
Understanding your specific threats and grading the level of protection required.
- 02
Route and venue planning.
Advance reconnaissance and site inspections to identify safe entry/exit points and contingencies.
- 03
Delivery, visible or discreet.
You choose a visible deterrent presence or a low-profile team that blends in.
- 04
Ongoing review.
Regular reassessment and adjustment as your circumstances or profile evolve.
Officers are also trained in surveillance and counter-surveillance, and in defensive driving and multi-vehicle security moves where secure transport is required.
Corporate & Executive Protection Services
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Executive travel & engagements: Day-to-day travel, board meetings, site visits, and public engagements, where discretion matters as much as physical security.
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Scalable coverage: Corporate close protection can be a standing arrangement for senior leadership, or scaled up for high-risk periods like mergers, product launches, or industrial disputes.
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Seamless integration: Works alongside your existing security or facilities team, with officers comfortable in boardrooms, factory floors, and everywhere in between.
Residential Close Protection
Our residential security service protects your home with the same planning, presence, and vigilance our officers bring to close protection in public.
Options include:
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Permanent, live-in, or shift-based officers on-site
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Roving patrols and randomised checks for lower-profile needs
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Access control, visitor screening, and CCTV integration
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Combined residential and personal protection, so the same team covers your home and your movements
Cover can be full-time, part-time (e.g. while travelling), or scaled up temporarily around a specific event or threat.
Secure Transport & Close Protection
Travel is one of the highest-risk parts of any protection assignment, and our secure transport service is built around that risk, not luxury car hire.
Our drivers are:
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Security-trained and vetted, not standard chauffeurs
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Trained in defensive and evasive driving
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Skilled in route reconnaissance to avoid predictable patterns
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Experienced in multi-vehicle security moves for higher-risk assignments
Secure transport can be standalone or fully integrated with a close protection team for end-to-end coverage.
Family & Child Protection
For families with a public profile or elevated risk exposure, we provide close protection for children, including school runs, extracurricular activities, and travel, delivered by officers experienced in working around children specifically, not just adapted from adult protection work.
We take time to understand your child's routine and temperament so protection never feels intrusive.
Why Choose Vigilant?
When you're comparing close protection companies, the difference usually comes down to who's actually behind the uniform
- 01
UK-wide coverage, with protection teams available 24/7 and at short notice
- 02
SIA licensed and accredited, every close protection officer holds a valid SIA licence.
- 03
ACT-trained officers, with counter-terrorism awareness built into every deployment
- 04
Tailored carefully to your need, every plan is built around your specific risk profile
Industry Expertise
We have developed specialist knowledge through close client partnerships and investment in sector-specific requirements.
Our close protection services are trusted across:
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Corporate & Business Leadership -
Entertainment & Media -
High-Net-Worth Families - Politics & Public Office
- Events & Venues
- Legal & Sensitive Proceedings
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International Travel -
Private Households
Our Security Accreditations
& Industry Commitments
As a fully accredited security services UK provider, our certifications are independently verifiable and not self-declared. These accreditations give our clients complete faith in us when choosing Vigilant
What Clients Say About Our Security Company
Vigilant provided outstanding security for our flagship retail locations across London. Their officers are disciplined, courteous, and highly responsive.
From initial consultation to on-site deployment, the entire process was seamless. We feel genuinely protected with Vigilant on our side.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a close protection officer do?
A close protection officer assesses risk, plans routes and venues in advance, provides a visible or discreet protective presence, and is trained to respond to emergencies, from medical incidents to physical threats, while keeping their client's daily life running as normally as possible.
Are your close protection officers SIA licensed?
Yes. Every officer we deploy holds a valid SIA licence and is vetted before being assigned to any close protection role.
Where in the UK do you provide close protection?
Vigilant operates nationwide, with our head office in London and regional offices in Manchester and Scotland, coordinated through a national control line so protection teams can be deployed anywhere in the UK.
Do you provide female close protection officers?
No. But we have female security officers available across our wider security services. For close protection specifically, deployments are handled by our licensed CPO team, get in touch to discuss your requirements and we'll advise what's available.
How much does close protection cost in the UK?
Cost depends on the level of risk, whether you need a single officer or a full team, and whether secure transport or residential cover is included. You can contact us to get a quick quote.
How quickly can you deploy a close protection officer?
Vigilant can typically mobilise officers at short notice, which matters most when a threat level changes suddenly. Contact us for a deployment timeline specific to your situation.
Do you cover residential security and secure transport as well as personal protection?
Yes, residential security and secure transport can be arranged as standalone services or fully integrated with your personal close protection plan for continuous coverage.
Do you provide 24/7 close protection?
Yes. Vigilant provides 24/7, 365-day coverage, including live-in residential officers, night-time patrols, and rapid response.
Request a Confidential Quote
Tell us about your requirements and one of our team will get back to you to discuss a personalized close protection plan.