How to Hire a Close Protection Officer in London

Last updated: 6 September 2026

Hiring a close protection officer in London means verifying SIA licensing, agreeing a scope of work, and confirming vetting standards such as BS 7858 before deployment. Central London day rates typically run £400–£600, and officers must hold a current SIA Close Protection Licence, which costs £204 and lasts three years.

Key Takeaways

• A close protection officer in London must hold a valid SIA Close Protection Licence, which the Security Industry Authority issues for three years at a non-refundable cost.
• Central London close protection day rates typically range from £400 to £600, against a wider UK market of £300 to £1,000 per day, according to Priority First (2026).
• From 1 April 2026, close protection officers must complete mandatory refresher training before renewing their SIA licence, according to R&H Global Protection (2026).
• Since 1 December 2026, the SIA has required overseas criminality checks from applicants who have lived outside the UK for six months or more in the previous ten years, according to R&H Global Protection (2026).
• Priority First has secured over £1.6 billion in client assets across prime central London portfolios, holding a 5.0-star Google rating from 44 reviews as of August 2026.

What is a close protection officer?

A close protection officer (CPO) is an SIA-licensed security professional who provides personal protection to an individual against physical harm, harassment, kidnap or reputational risk. The role is distinct from static or mobile manned guarding, which protects a building or site rather than a person, and it is legally regulated under the Private Security Industry Act 2001.

In London, close protection officers work across corporate, diplomatic, celebrity and ultra-high-net-worth family contexts. Many hold additional qualifications in first aid, such as FREC3 (First Response Emergency Care Level 3), and some specialise in protecting children or accompanying principals on international travel.

The term "bodyguard" is often used interchangeably with close protection officer, but the two are not identical. A bodyguard typically refers to visible, physical protection, whereas a close protection officer is trained to plan routes, manage risk assessments, liaise with venue security and, where required, work entirely discreetly rather than announce their presence.

Is it legal to hire a close protection officer in London?

Yes, hiring a close protection officer in London is legal, provided the individual holds a current SIA licence issued under the Private Security Industry Act 2001. The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is the statutory regulator responsible for licensing all close protection operatives working in the UK's private security industry.

There is one notable exemption. Under Section 4(4) of the Private Security Industry Act 2001, in-house employees who provide close protection exclusively for their own employer, rather than to third-party clients, may fall outside the licensing requirement in certain circumstances. This exemption is narrow and specific, and most businesses hiring protection for executives, family members or events will still be engaging licensed, contracted officers rather than relying on this carve-out.

Clients should always verify licensing status directly rather than take a CV at face value. The SIA maintains a public Register of Licence Holders, which lets employers check whether a named individual holds a valid close protection licence before any deployment begins. GOV.UK also publishes guidance on checking SIA licence cards, including the security features a genuine card must display.

How do you check a close protection officer's licence and background?

Verifying a close protection officer's credentials means checking their SIA licence number against the official register, confirming their vetting screening, and reviewing references from previous protection assignments. This single step separates a professionally regulated hire from an unlicensed and potentially unlawful one.

Start by asking for the officer's SIA licence number and cross-referencing it on the SIA's Register of Licence Holders. A genuine licence will show as "Close Protection" with an active status and expiry date within the standard three-year cycle set out by Get Licensed (2026).

Next, ask what background screening the officer or their employing agency has completed. BS 7858 is the British Standard for security screening of individuals employed in a security environment, covering identity verification, employment history, financial checks and criminal record disclosure where legally permitted. Reputable protection providers apply BS 7858-aligned vetting as standard, not as an optional extra.

Regulatory changes reinforce why this matters more than ever. Since 1 December 2026, the SIA has required overseas criminality checks from any applicant who has lived outside the UK for six months or more within the previous ten years, according to R&H Global Protection (2026). From 1 April 2026, officers must also complete mandatory refresher training before their licence can be renewed, per the same source. Ask any prospective provider whether their officers have already met these updated requirements.

As Priority First's Managing Director puts it: "An SIA licence is the floor, not the standard. We screen work history, right to work and references before anyone wears our uniform, because in this industry you are only ever as good as the last officer you deployed. One weak hire can undo years of trust, and we hire like we believe that." — Mo Hassan, Managing Director, Priority First.

How much does it cost to hire a close protection officer in London?

Close protection in London typically costs £400 to £600 per day in central boroughs, though rates vary considerably by risk level, officer experience and assignment length. Across the UK as a whole, day rates span a much wider £300 to £1,000, according to Priority First's analysis citing Security and Safety Solutions (2026).

Hourly and daily figures also differ by source and assignment type. Imperial Security Agency (2026) reports London close protection officers typically charge £40–£80 per hour or £500–£1,000 per day, reflecting how short-notice, high-risk or overnight assignments command a premium over standard daytime cover.

Employed, in-house close protection roles follow a different pay structure entirely. The Ops Con (2026) reports entry-level salaries of roughly £28,000 to £35,000, rising to £35,000–£50,000 for experienced officers and £45,000 to £60,000 or more at senior level.

London close protection rates at a glance

Engagement type	Typical rate	Source
Central London day rate	£400–£600 per day	Priority First (2026)
Wider UK day rate range	£300–£1,000 per day	Priority First (2026)
London hourly/daily rate	£40–£80/hr or £500–£1,000/day	Imperial Security Agency (2026)
Employed entry-level salary	£28,000–£35,000	The Ops Con (2026)
Employed experienced salary	£35,000–£50,000	The Ops Con (2026)
Employed senior salary	£45,000–£60,000+	The Ops Con (2026)

Two worked scenarios

A single executive requiring daytime coverage across meetings in Mayfair and the City might book one CPO at a typical central London day rate of £400–£600, giving an illustrative monthly cost in the region of £8,000–£12,000 for regular weekday cover — figures which will vary with actual scheduling and risk assessment.

A high-profile family requiring a small team for a two-week visit, including night cover and advance route planning, would scale toward the upper end of the £300–£1,000 UK day-rate range per officer, multiplied across the team size and duration involved.

Ways to reduce close protection costs

• Book further in advance where the assignment is predictable, since short-notice cover often carries a premium.
• Combine close protection with existing corporate security or concierge arrangements already in place, reducing duplicated administration.
• Right-size the team to the actual risk assessment rather than defaulting to multiple officers when one adequately trained CPO may suffice.
• Agree a retained or block-booked arrangement for recurring needs, such as regular travel or event attendance, rather than repeated one-off bookings.

Alternatives to consider

Not every situation requires full close protection. A structured Building Audit & Risk Assessment may identify that enhanced CCTV monitoring, improved concierge and front-of-house management, or event security for a single occasion addresses the actual risk more proportionately than continuous personal protection.

Should you hire a close protection officer directly or through an agency?

Hiring through an established security agency generally offers stronger accountability, insurance cover and continuity than engaging a freelance officer directly, though it typically costs more. The right choice depends on assignment duration, risk profile and how much administrative burden the client is willing to carry.

A freelance CPO may offer lower rates and direct communication, but the client inherits full responsibility for verifying licensing, vetting, insurance and continuity if that individual becomes unavailable. An agency, by contrast, holds its own liability insurance, manages officer rotation, and can usually mobilise a replacement or additional resource at short notice.

Factor	Direct freelance hire	Licensed agency
Licence verification	Client's responsibility	Managed by the agency
Liability insurance	Often officer's personal cover only	Agency-held cover, typically broader
Continuity if unavailable	No automatic backup	Agency can usually deploy a replacement
Vetting standard	Varies by individual	Typically BS 7858-aligned as standard
Contract and SLA	Informal, client-drafted	Formal service agreement
Cost	Often lower	Typically higher, reflecting overhead

In practice

When a prestige Central London residential portfolio brought three new buildings on stream in July 2026, including a ten-checkpoint serviced residence, Priority First mobilised all three sites within a fortnight rather than the weeks of "bedding in" that security contract handovers traditionally involve. Checkpoints, site notes and prior incident history were live on the platform from day one, so every officer inducted onto a new site could see its full history before their first patrol. That same principle — continuity of knowledge regardless of which individual officer is on duty — is exactly what a client loses when engaging a lone freelance operative with no backup and no institutional record.

What should be in a close protection contract or risk assessment?

A close protection contract should specify the scope of work, insurance cover, confidentiality terms, cancellation policy and escalation procedures before any officer is deployed. The underlying risk assessment should identify the specific threats being managed, from unwanted media attention to credible physical threats, and size the protection response accordingly.

Key elements to confirm in writing include:

• Scope and hours of cover, including whether protection extends to travel, residence and family members.
• Confidentiality and non-disclosure terms, given the sensitive nature of close protection assignments.
• Insurance verification, confirming the agency or officer carries appropriate liability cover.
• Cancellation and short-notice policies, particularly relevant given how demand for CP cover can shift suddenly.
• Escalation and communication protocols, specifying who the officer reports to and how incidents are recorded.
• Right-to-work and licence confirmation, ideally with copies or reference numbers supplied before the contract start date.

GOV.UK's guidance on applying for an SIA licence sets out the eligibility, right-to-work and criminal record checks the SIA itself applies to every applicant — the same standards a client should expect their provider to have already confirmed.

As Priority First's Managing Director explains: "We hire for judgement and train for everything else. Procedures can be taught in a classroom; calm under pressure, courtesy when provoked, and the instinct to notice what is out of place cannot. Our best officers came to us with those qualities, and our training is designed to sharpen rather than replace them." — Mo Hassan, Managing Director, Priority First.

How long does it take to get an SIA close protection licence?

Becoming an SIA-licensed close protection officer typically takes several weeks from training to approved licence. Training itself usually takes between 12 and 18 days to complete, according to Surely Security (2026), and the SIA training specification is set out in the SIA Close Protection Training Specification (2022).

Once training and any required qualifications are complete, applicants submit their SIA licence application. Hurak (2026) reports that the SIA typically responds within 25 working days, though this can extend to around five weeks in certain cases, such as where additional identity or criminal record checks are required.

This timeline matters for clients too. If a bespoke protection need arises with only days' notice, an established provider with an existing bench of vetted, currently licensed officers can respond far faster than sourcing and vetting an individual freelancer from scratch.

Your close protection hiring checklist

• Confirm the officer's SIA Close Protection Licence number on the SIA's public register before deployment.
• Ask whether the officer or agency applies BS 7858 vetting standards, including employment history and reference checks.
• Confirm the provider's officers already meet the SIA's overseas criminality check requirement, in force since 1 December 2026.
• Agree a written contract covering scope, confidentiality, insurance and cancellation terms.
• Size the protection team to a documented risk assessment rather than an arbitrary headcount.
• Clarify day-rate, hourly and any overnight or travel premiums up front, referencing typical London ranges of £400–£1,000 per day.
• Ask what continuity plan exists if your assigned officer becomes unavailable at short notice.
• Confirm reporting lines, incident logging and escalation procedures before the assignment begins.

FAQ

How do I check if a close protection officer's SIA licence is valid?

You check a close protection officer's SIA licence by searching their licence number on the SIA's Register of Licence Holders, which shows whether the licence is active and current. You can also verify the physical card using the security features described in GOV.UK's guidance on checking SIA licence cards.

How much does it cost to hire a close protection officer in London?

Central London close protection typically costs £400 to £600 per day, according to Priority First's analysis (2026), while Imperial Security Agency (2026) reports rates of £40–£80 per hour or £500–£1,000 per day. Actual pricing depends on risk level, team size and assignment duration.

Is it legal to hire a bodyguard in the UK?

Yes, it is legal to hire a bodyguard in the UK provided the individual holds a valid SIA Close Protection Licence under the Private Security Industry Act 2001. A narrow exemption under Section 4(4) applies only to certain in-house employees protecting their own employer.

What is the difference between a close protection officer and a bodyguard?

"Bodyguard" is an informal term generally implying visible physical protection, while a close protection officer is a formally trained, SIA-licensed professional who also manages risk assessment, route planning and discreet protection. In UK regulatory terms, only "close protection operative" is a recognised licensable activity.

What qualifications should a close protection officer have?

A close protection officer should hold a current SIA Close Protection Licence, which requires completing SIA-recognised training typically lasting 12 to 18 days, according to Surely Security (2026). Many experienced officers also hold first aid qualifications such as FREC3 and have completed BS 7858 background screening.

What is BS 7858 screening and why does it matter when hiring security staff?

BS 7858 is the British Standard for security screening of individuals working in security environments, covering identity checks, employment history verification and criminal record disclosure where applicable. It matters because it gives clients an independent, recognised benchmark for vetting rather than relying solely on an officer's own CV.

Should I hire a close protection officer directly or through an agency?

Hiring through an established agency generally provides stronger insurance cover, continuity and vetting oversight than a direct freelance hire, though typically at a higher cost. Agencies can usually deploy a replacement officer quickly if the original is unavailable, whereas a freelance arrangement leaves that risk entirely with the client.

Securing your business or premises with Priority First

Hiring a close protection officer is only one part of a wider security picture, and many of the businesses and residential portfolios that need personal protection also need robust corporate, building and site security operating alongside it. Priority First already delivers exactly that combination across prime central London, running Corporate Security and Executive Close Protection alongside manned guarding, concierge and facilities management under one accountable provider.

Priority First's operational data shows 37 documented client contracts on file, of which 28 sit in Chelsea and Knightsbridge, giving the company direct, current knowledge of prime central London's residential and corporate security landscape. As one client, Jerome Kempster, put it: "We work closely with the Priority First team on one of our sites. Nothing is too much trouble, attentive, aware and systematic. I couldn't recommend a more capable security team."

If you need executive close protection integrated with your existing building or corporate security arrangements, get in touch with Priority First for a consultation and quote tailored to your risk assessment.

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