UK Protection Ltd combats post-purchase theft with new service offering
UK Protection Limited has launched a new service to protect VVIP customers from high value post-purchase theft.
Clients will be escorted in long-wheelbase Range Rover and accompanied by experienced close protection officers who use their operational experience to deliver continual situational awareness, protecting both individuals and their assets.
Being put into action for the first time this month, the £2,500-a-month service has been deployed against the backdrop of a rise of high-value watch, jewellery and designer bag thefts across the capital.
UK Protection detailed that over £22m of luxury goods have been stolen on the streets of London over the past two years, including more than 3,000 watches, each with a value of over £3,000 according to Met Police data.
Criminals have also targeted high-profile individuals and the likes of Christine Lampard and Ben Thompson have recently been targeted.
Commenting on the move and the motive behind it, Andy Fairbanks, a former police officer and now CEO of UK Protection Ltd, explained: “Criminals are increasingly zeroing in on wealthy individuals, using shock and extreme violence to steal precious items before making rapid escapes on e-bikes and scooters.
“Now, London’s luxury shopping quarters are in their crosshairs and are being targeted by criminals who lie in wait for wealthy shoppers to exit with their latest purchases. In seconds they can swoop, swipe, and escape taking with them purchases worth many thousands of pounds. With an increase in violent theft, customers can be left in shock and emotionally scarred, and it’s this trend that could easily dissuade loyal customers from shopping in the capital.”
Fairbanks added: “The VVIP luxury secure shopping service guards against customers becoming victims, offering seamless protection from home or hotel to London’s luxury retail districts and back again. Now, brands and luxury retailers that offer private shopping experiences can bookend this with luxury transport, elite protection and total discretion.”
Fairbanks concludes: “This takes away the risk and worry of clients being targeted as they leave the boutique stores of Mayfair, Bond Street, or Knightsbridge, protecting them when they move between locations, or if they take the opportunity to dine out with friends, family or colleagues.”
The VVIP Shopping Service can be booked directly through UK Protection, arranged as part of a customer benefit package, or as a white-label partnership with luxury retail or hospitality brands.
Stolen watches in circulation have become increasingly common and earlier this year Watch Insider covered the latest on data from The Watch Register, the global database for lost and stolen watches.
Read the story in full HERE:
