Bournemouth Private Investigator & Detective Interview

    BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND, December 10, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ --

How did you become a Private Investigator?

I have always had a connection with security, safety and also the Police Force so it was something I knew about but had no idea of how to get into. There doesn't appear to be many agencies willing to take newcomers on board, in fear that they will run off with their clients once they are trained up and proficient.

I simply started up a part-time agency working from home like most of us do initially and it went on from there.

So where did you learn the skills you have to run your detective agency?

I sourced a course, covering 12 chapters and well written, it provided me with a foundation for my knowledge, I am fortunate too that I spent several years as a Special Constable with the Dorset Police, this gave me a really good amount of knowledge about the law and so on. I also joined many networks and dedicated forums including www.e-Legal-gathering.co.uk that provided access to fellow investigators and their knowledge,

Do you belong to any professional organisations?

Yes, I have recently been accepted as a member of WAPI (World Association of Professional Investigators) which, has made me feel part of a professional organisation that abides by strict codes of conducts and professional ethics.

What sort of work do you do?

Everyday is literally a different day, some days we may be serving court papers on individuals or company directors, other days we could be sat in a vehicle watching someone as part of a surveillance operation. It really is exciting work but sometimes the boredom can kick in too so you have to be able to deal with that as part of the course. We do seem to have a lot of Child Maintenance cases on at present, whereby, we are asked to prove if the absent parent is working or not.

Is the work you do dangerous?

Not particularly, there are risks, like with any job but if you keep your guard up and remain assertive at all times then you can avoid any danger. One of the most talked about risks is Process Serving, serving papers sometimes involves entering into the thickest parts of run down estates and dealing with unscrupulous characters, so you need to watch your back. Or on the other hand attempting to serve eviction notices on travellers can get quite hairy. If in doubt, I always let someone know where I am or take someone with me and conduct a joint visit, in addition I wear a covert body camera.

Picking up on what you just said about covert camera's, what kind of gadgets do you use?

I don't like the word "gadgets" it reminds me of kids toys (laugh). I prefer to call them tools of the trade. The most common item of equipment we carry is a good digital camera, in addition we have Digital Camcorders, covert cameras, GSM bugs and GPS Vehicle Trackers to name but a few.

So tell me, what is your most exciting story so far?

I don't really have one, as I said earlier I do my best to avoid conflicts, danger or otherwise, however, only recently I was instructed by a client to deploy a vehicle tracker. I approached the car up the drive and checked for light sensors but a light came on, it was one those that has a built in sensor and looks rather old fashioned in style. I ducked down between the car and the neighbours fence and waited, my heart was racing as I couldn't really move in fear of being compromised.
After a while I carried on as it was all quiet, I got on my knees to place the tracker under the car and as I leant on the bumper slightly the car alarm sounded, I realised now it must have had a perimeter sensor of some kind. My instinct was to run, so I did. I managed to evade being detected, there was little I could have done to know the alarm was so sensitive. No harm done though.

Do you cover the local area to where you are based or do you cover further afield?

We cover the entire UK and abroad if necessary. We have access to over 150 agents around the UK and being a member of several global networks we can call upon anyone of hundreds of agents to assist us from all over the world in an instant.

Where do you see your business in two years time?

Blimey, that's a good one. I would like to think we will be one of the most respected and most professional agencies in the UK, having had a sales career in the past I am desperate to get more exposure and so far so good. We have also launched a dedicated site to deal direct with GPS Vehicle and Asset Tracking enquiries called www.baktrack.co.uk. We hope to approach more commercial companies and provide a complete cost effective solution with unbeatable support and after service care.
It would also be nice to see a couple of sub-agencies opening up, maybe one in London, as we get a fair amount of work from legal clients there and perhaps one in the Midlands, we'll have to wait and see!

Sounds like you are ambitious and have plans then?

You have to, otherwise I feel it is pointless attempting to run your own business if it isn't going to pay the bills.

Do you have to have a license to be a Private Investigator?

At the current time you don't need a license, in fact anyone can become a P.I. Though the SIA (Security Industry Authority) are devising plans as we speak to implement a compulsory licensing arrangement that would regulate P.I.'s in a similar way doormen or Close Protection Officers are. I have mixed views on this but at the end of the day it will in fact eradicate anyone operating outside the confides of the law so in retrospect it will be a good thing

Have you ever operated illegally?

No comment (laugh) - Seriously though, no, I haven't and wouldn't. Having been fortunate to experience policing and the law I can safely say that I am happy to be this side of the bars and wouldn't dare risk my career or my business. As a P.I. I am required to hold a DPA (Data Protection Act) certificate assuring clients that any information I hold is kept in lien with the strict Data Protection Act rules and regulations.

How can people get hold of you?

If they search for us on-line they will find us under Seagal Investigations

About Seagal Investigations

Seagal Investigations are able to provide a professional, courteous and prompt service to clients all across the UK and abroad. With so many different scenarios and requests it is difficult to list all our services, if you need assistance and can not see it within our site please call, we cover almost every aspect of investigation, surveillance, security and legal support.

We offer our services to both commercial and private clients and are able to, when the need arises, to service our clients on a global level through our Network of associated Private Investigators and associated companies.

Our current and past clients include solicitors, insurance risk management companies, Blue Chip organisations, Media Companies and private clients. We want you to be assured at all times that you are going to receive the best possible service in a friendly manner, using a local company.

Seagal Investigations is a professional organisation and are proud members of the World Association of Professional Investigators, specialising in all types of Investigation, surveillance, security and litigation assignments, covering insurance fraud, corporate investigation, matrimonial and counter surveillance, to name but a few.

We also carry out process serving, investigations and tracing enquiries for the legal profession.

We are holders of Professional Indemnity Insurance and a Data Protection Certificate issued by the Information Commissioners Office, ensuring all of your personal data is kept in a secure environment in line with the DPA Act 1998 Rules and Regulations

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