Safe Keeping - Annabel Trew meets the bodyguards

The truth is that in the 21st century people feel less safe. As threats of terrorism, youth violence, stabbings and gun crime are on the up, more individuals than ever are looking for new methods to protect their assets, homes and families. Added to this, last year the Joseph Rowntree Foundation reported that in the UK the gap between the super-rich and the poor was at its widest for 40 years.

With more than one in four families dropping below the poverty line, countless well-publicised billionaire lists ensure that those who were able to enjoy their wealth in relative anonymity now live in fear of retributive attacks, theft, mindless vandalism and, in extreme circumstances, kidnapping. The country has become a nation of CCTV cameras and high-tech security systems as people are willing to pay companies whatever it takes to be safe.

But surely we don’t all need a Kevin Costner lurking around our grounds - so realistically what protection can companies offer? Speaking to the directors of Hawthorne-King, a UK-based risk management company whose clientele includes foreign royal families, international businessmen and businesswomen, celebrities, football clubs and the media, ‘Close Protection Officers’ (aka bodyguards) are much more than the sunglasses-clad hulks flanking Britney Spears.

First of all, the company conducts an extensive risk assessment, from which it calculates the “perceived threat” and advises its clients accordingly. Should the client wish to take further action, they can implement any services recommended. Co-Director Nathen Hawthorne explained, “We have the ability to provide anything from CCTV security and alarms to bolstering up the physical side of life security-wise, so reinforced windows, blast curtains, security locks” – as well as putting people on the ground, and providing security chauffeurs trained in defensive driving with armoured cars.

They also supply residential security, where officers guard anything from valuable possessions to residences, offices, hotels or even conferences. In addition, they are trained in surveillance, counter-surveillance and missing persons recovery, kidnap and ransom resolution - which, although sounding extreme, has become an important part of the services they offer.

You have to be careful, though; Directors Matthew King and Nathen Hawthorne warned that there has been a huge influx of individuals who do the minimum four-week close protection officer course, have no previous experience and consequently significantly lower the standards of the market. Hawthorne-King, by contrast, has a stringent vetting process. Aside from the relevant Security Industry Authority qualifications, the majority of the staff have a military or security service background, ensuring they are experienced in dealing with stressful hostile environments.

For them, resorting to core skills at moments of extreme stress becomes “like muscle memory” explains Matthew, as they reminisce about ambushes, being fired at and riots, needless to say these guys are pretty hard core, with CVs including working in Iraq.

“Most of the time if you saw us you would think we’re just PAs”, Matthew continues – as they prefer to keep a low profile unless needed. You wouldn’t have thought he had got to bed at 6am because he had been shielding cameramen from the raging Rangers fans in the Manchester riot the night before.

It certainly isn’t all brawn, though. If a situation has become hostile, then you’ve failed. So negotiation, forward-planning and emotional intelligence are key skills, especially if you’re working with families: Kevin Costner pretty much broke every rule in the book. In fact, films like The Bodyguard don’t help business. “We’ve got the hardest thing to do because we’re trying to change a preconceived idea.” But surely there is a certain element of being a hero, like Costner’s character?

“It’s not heroic”, protests Nathen. “How can it be heroic if you’re putting yourself there in the first place and you’re being paid for it? It’s my job.” I’m not sure all of us desk-ridden workers would agree.

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