Residential Security in London: Arm Your Home and Self against Harm

Stalking incidents can get out of hand. Sometimes, aside from getting close to you, an over friendly fan or ‘friend’ may indeed wish to harm you and steal from you.

One such incident happened to an Oscar-winning celebrity recently when a stalker was able to break through the high barb wire-topped fences, avoiding the surveillance system that supposedly kept her home safe. The Daily Mail features the story on Mail Online:

It has been revealed that Hollywood actress Sandra Bullock only realised a stalker was in her home when she came face-to-face with him outside her bedroom door.

When Sandra got up to lock the door to her bedroom, the starlet saw ‘Corbett right there in the hallway wearing dark clothing’ and preceded to the slam the door shut and lock it before calling police to report the intruder.

Joshua James Corbett, 39, was filmed by Good Morning America while in court last month, where he was charged with felony counts of residential burglary, stalking and possession of a machine gun, report CNN. He was not thought to have the machine gun on him at the time of the break-in and Sandra’s adopted son, Louis, was believed to be with a nanny.

Various other celebrities have experienced similar incidents, Madonna being one of them. In 1996, a stalker who threatened to either marry her or slash her throat, scaled her Hollywood Hills home. Fortunately, the iconic 80s star was unscathed as her bodyguard took evasive action.

You don’t have to be rich and famous to have manned security at your home, anyone can benefit from hiring residential security in London. According to data from a MoneySupermarket.com report, quite a number of ‘trendy neighbourhoods’ and city districts were included in the list of top 20 British postcodes where burglary was most prevalent. Take the case of a home in Melton that was ransacked just recently. The married couple who owned the property were away on holiday when a burglar broke in and took about £40,000 worth of possessions, including expensive heirlooms, jewellery, electronic equipment, and their car.

If you are considering improving your residential security in London, you can get a highly trained security guard in London for static or mobile patrols of your home and neighbourhood. A private security company like Westminster Security employs experienced professionals from backgrounds in the Police and Armed Forces, who will keep a close eye on you and your home to ward off any undesirables who may wish to do you harm.

http://www.westminstersecurity.co.uk/residential-security-london-arm-home-self-harm/

Overseas Visitors Commend Close Protection Security in London

                                 

At Westminster Security, a number of international customers regularly rely on our close protection security services whenever they visit London for business. While our company is proud to be able to maintain great working relationships with many of our long-term clients, it’s always a pleasure to see new customers approach us for assistance with their private security in London.

In June, our company was honoured to have been chosen to protect two new high profile, international customers. Both tasks were an astounding successes, with each of our principals commending the efficiency and professionalism exhibited by our skilled team of close protection operatives.

Both parties to our beautiful city were here for entirely different reasons, but both required complete protection from our team around the clock. As with all our clients, Westminster Security pulled out all the stops and provided them with a detail comprised of members with backgrounds in the Royal Military Police and the United Kingdom Special Forces divisions of the British Armed Forces.

On the road, both principals chose to be transported in our Rolls-Royce Phantom, accompanied by their bodyguard we supplied. The personal escort section team assigned to them, on the other hand, used our Range Rover Autobiography as a backing vehicle. Both chauffeurs of those vehicles were advanced drivers with vast experience in security chauffeuring in London and around the world, the clients knew they were in safe hands.

Both principals took up temporary residence in one of London’s five-star hotels, and our team took charge of sweeping and securing their accommodation daily. Working with the in-house security team of the prestigious hotel, our close protection operatives were admired for the manners and discretion they afforded the hotel staff, and our principals as well. In fact, we were later approached by the hotel security manager with an offer to supply close protection services to their visiting VIPs in the future, and we were naturally pleased to affirm their request.

As a result of our clients’ satisfaction with our services, the principals committed to using us in the future, for the duration of their visits to London and the UK. Westminster Security is proud of the trust that our new clients, and even the hotel we stayed at, have afforded us. It was certainly our pleasure to have worked with them and look forward to being able to assist them again in the future.

We invite other groups and individuals who would like to experience the unique brand of protection only Westminster Security can provide to visit our website, WestminsterSecurity.co.uk, to identify the services that most fit their needs. Aside from close protection, we are also able and equipped to provide event security, private investigation, surveillance, residential security, and retail security in London.

Please contact us to see how we can assist you.

http://www.westminstersecurity.co.uk/close-protection/

Got Your Back: Private Security in London for the U.K.’s Rich and Famous

Demand for residential and WAG (wife-and-girlfriend) security seems to have spiked in the days prior to the World Cup. Most of their clients, rather unsurprisingly, were football players.

Jeremy Armstrong and Andy Lines of the Daily Mirror believe these players learned their lessons the last time they left their homes unprotected while out-of-town. Team captain Steven Gerrard had his Formby home ransacked in 2007 while leading Liverpool to a 1-0 victory over Marseille. The burglar has been serving time behind bars for more than seven years now.

Luckily, security is one of the perks of playing for a football club like Liverpool or Manchester United. These clubs have close ties to local security companies to make sure their members’ homes are safe, allowing them to focus on the games ahead. You can say that private security in London is a contributing factor in helping the national football team win.

Still a Serious Issue

Data from the Metropolitan Police reports a drop in residential burglaries across London by 11.4 percent. Nevertheless, cases still number in the tens of thousands; from 59,896 in May, 2013 to 53,038 in May, 2014. Furthermore, several boroughs like Hackney and Bexley report the highest rate of increase in these crimes.

It’s interesting to know that Hackney is home to a number of affluent homes but is often troubled by crime. Notwithstanding gun crime, armed robberies aren’t uncommon in this part of London. Homes in high-risk areas warrant London security guards like those from Westminster Security to protect property, people, possessions and personal wealth.

Popularity Factor

Popularity may as well be a risk factor at this point. Aside from football players, stars are also prime targets for burglars. In 2012, Bernie Ecclestone, known in tabloid media as F1 Supremo, was given a black eye in exchange for the £200,000 stolen from him. The culprits are currently serving their 53-year collective sentence but weren’t convicted of assaulting Ecclestone.

Along with other cases, this highlights the need for round-the-clock protection inside and outside homes. There’s even the need for security guards to go undercover. In a more recent example, it was revealed that Emma Watson’s friend during her graduation at Brown University was actually tasked with keeping the actress safe (although the reason remains unclear).

Security is a right that people from all walks of life share. Security guards will always have your back, so you can keep looking forward.

http://www.westminstersecurity.co.uk/got-back-private-security-london-u-k-s-rich-famous/

Celebrities seek protection from stalkers through ex-Police & Military Bodyguards

Being a celebrity can be a fun and exciting lifestyle, however all that fame and exposure can attract unwanted attention by undesirables. More and more celebs are employing ‘bodyguards’ also known as close protection to keep them safe from obsessive fans. Nadia Mendoza of the Express focuses on a recent situation:

“UNFORTUNATELY life doesn't quite imitate art for Emma Watson, and she cannot fly off on a broomstick if ever she falls in danger.

Instead, the Harry Potter actress has hired a former NYPD officer to act as a bodyguard – for the spellbinding sum of £90,000.

The 23-year-old has taken the extreme measure of personal protection after a recent incident while shooting her latest film left her shaken and fearing for her life.

Emma, who shot to fame as Hermione Granger in the JK Rowling film franchise, was filming for Darren Aronofsky-directed movie Noah.

While on location in Oyster Bay, Long Island, an obsessive fan managed to dupe studio security and venture onto set.”

The circumstances which have hounded one of Britain’s most popular young actresses, will be all to familiar to many young celebrities, as fans feel evermore attached to their favourite stars due to the popularity, and personal nature of social media. ‘The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012′ formally criminalised stalking and the National Stalking Clinic at the Chase Farm Hospital in Enfield, North London; claims to process up to 50 convicted stalkers a year. When you feel that your fame has reached a certain level or even that you feel concerned for your personal safety, it is time to seek professional assistance and hire private security. All to often, stars leave it too late, only employing close protection after there has been an indecent.

Watson recognised the fan because he kept loitering outside her house and had followed her on multiple occasions. This is not the first time she had a dedicated stalker, a mid-20s man was often present at open lectures during her stay at Headington School many years ago, which prompted intervention from security personnel.

People seeking the protection of a security guard in London will be more confident of the operative’s background if it included service in the military or police forces. Watson’s bodyguard, Denise Morrone, served many years at the 122nd Precinct in Staten Island, NY.

Simple “random encounters” have the potential to escalate into tense situations, a security contractor can stay on top of it by using private investigators to gather more intelligence. The compiled material can be turned over to the police for further action. An insider in Watson’s camp says a potential kidnapping threat exists due to her estimated net worth of £23 million.

Stalkers are unpredictable and dangerous, there’s a fine line between being a ‘super-fan’ and a stalker. Fortunately, the danger is avoidable when you have a company such as Westminster Security by your side.

http://www.westminstersecurity.co.uk/security-through-in-london-contractors-adequate-against-stalker-swarm/

Private Security in London may replace some Police roles at Parliament

Security is paramount for highly-important locations, especially in a country’s seats of power. Rebecca Keating of BBC News reports:

“Police officers could be replaced by private guards to cover some aspects of security at the Houses of Parliament. The Metropolitan Police force currently provides all security services for the Commons and the Lords. In a cost-saving move, airport-style security checks at the entrances will be put to tender – although the Met will still provide armed officers. But parliamentary officials said there would be no downgrading of security as a result of any changes.”

The development may be met with mixed reactions amongst private and public officials, especially in an internationally-important place such as London, England. The city is already smarting from a recent scare near the Bank of England, and memories are still fresh of unnecessary military mobilisations to compensate for gaps in the 2012 London Olympics’ security. Labour MP Barry Sheerman said he was concerned that private security companies in London would rely on agency staff. Westminster Security recruit, train and supply former British Armed Forces veterans and former Police officers for private security in London and throughout the UK, they would be high on the list of preferred contractors to bid for the tender.

A panel of security experts, MPs, and peers recommended the change in personnel as part of efforts to save more from the Parliament’s annual security budget, which stands at £24 million this year. Scotland Yard currently handles the screening work, but its contract is slated to expire in April, 2015. The tender is scheduled to be opened within a short period after. Guarding the entry points goes a long way to stopping potential threats, even when roving personnel are on the premises. In the case of Parliament, officers manning the public entrances have reported confiscating imitation weapons, knuckle dusters, and illegal substances such as cannabis. The same is true of security operatives finding unauthorised materials among retail patrons or event guests. It is unclear how the change will affect security for the lawmakers, even those who may be provided close protection by London security companies like Westminster Security. Sheerman said some MPs and their staff lamented a failure of Commons authorities to consult them about the development. Commons Speaker John Bercow would not even consider discussing the issue on the chamber floor.

http://www.westminstersecurity.co.uk/private-security-in-london-may-replace-some-police-roles-at-parliament/

Westminster Security: Raising the Bar for Security in London Events

London is one of the most famous cities in the world – and understandably so. Hence, it is not surprising that the bustling metropolis is home to many iconic national and international events, from acclaimed concerts at the Royal Albert Hall to major sporting events like Wimbledon in SW19. That’s why at Westminster Security, we are continuing our efforts to raise the standard of security in London event venues.

We do this by hiring only the best and most experienced security personnel possible. In fact, most of our security guards in London have police or military backgrounds, thus making them highly sought after and trained. In accordance with the Private Security Industry Act 2001, we also ensure that each of our security operatives are Security Industry Authority (SIA) licensed, and thoroughly vetted before they are deployed on a task. Given their impressive backgrounds and extensive training, our security guards are the envy of both their peers and our competitors.

Of course, we don’t content ourselves with just hiring the best in the business; we take things further by providing an exemplary service to all our clients. The term we use to describe our service is “bespoke” because we understand that each event has different challenges and security needs. Therefore, we tailor fit our service to ensure you the utmost security. Whatever the event, be it an exhibition, a conference, a festival, or even a private party. Our security guards can be deployed within the hour – we can rapidly deploy our personnel at short notice, whether here in the U.K. or abroad.

With our excellent reputation, Westminster Security has become one of the leaders in security management in the country. We have provided security services to many high-profile events, including the UEFA Champions League Finals at Wembley Stadium, the BAFTA Film Awards, the London 2012 Olympics, and even for a British Royal family event. Our manned security services include; close protection bodyguards, security concierge, door supervisors, private investigators/Surveillance, residential and retail security services.

Your safety and security is the number one priority; as such, we do everything in our power to safeguard your well-being. If you require 5 star security services in London, look no further than Westminster Security. Contact us for further information on our event security services in London.

http://www.westminstersecurity.co.uk/westminster-security-raising-bar-security-london-events/