Inconspicuous Ingenuity 2014 - Escorted by the Met Police Special Escort Group

This is the definitive film on the world-renowned Metropolitan Police Special Escort Group. Charged with protecting and escorting heads of state, government ministers and the Royal Family through London and the south east, the unit is one of the most secretive in Britain.
Filmed from a number of vantage points across London, this 30 minute HD film places you in the seat normally occupied by the principal VIP in the motorcade, giving you a unique view of the tactics and operations used by this media-shy group.
Journalist Antony Loveless, who has extensive experience in the police and defence sectors, was given unprecedented access to the SEG and accompanied them on a number of escorts to produce this film. The result is ‘Inconspicuous Ingenuity’, which includes all-new footage of the group’s operations filmed from the ‘hot seat’. Highlights include an epic mid-afternoon run across central London, taking in many of the capital’s iconic landmarks, filmed from inside the lead Bentley in a motorcade consisting of eight vehicles and escorted by five riders. It also incorporates re-edited film from an escort in 2000 featuring a running commentary by the driver, one of the SEG’s most experienced members.
Take your seat…and ride with the Metropolitan Police Special Escort Group.

[@xoites877]

These guys impress me to no end. Getting people who would be in danger from point A to point be in such an understated and professional manner is one of the most impressive things I have ever seen.

[@gregoryclark8217]

It's amazing how smoothly everything flows, as the convoy approaches a junction/roundabout there is an outrider already there with the traffic stopped and a path cleared. In awe at how little disruption there is compared to other methods.

[@jbss7382]

+Antony Loveless, Sir, having worked and driven in London while serving in the military; it's a real pleasure to see you guys transit through the traffic like the smoothness of silk. Inconspicuous Ingenuity. Brilliantly British.

[@chrisnorman6270]

I was a London motorbike courier for many years riding a BMW and fancied myself as a pretty good rider (I stayed in one piece) and I saw the SEG in action many times and they were always impressive, it was a pleasure to see them. They were truly perfection in motion and I was a toddler on their first bicycle with stabilisers by comparison. Crash helmets off to you all in the SEG. And you really do hear those whistles!

[@boblordylordyhowie]

To do their job and have an intimate knowledge of all the streets in London is amazing.

[@none3763]

My bike instructor was SEG for 35 years. Getting my CBT was NOT a straight forward experience.

[@fx1c333]

Look at it this way you got taught by the best and you had to achieve a higher standard than normal for him to pass you.

[@SaustheBoss]

That last motorcade was a thing of beauty. Watching them weave through a busy city is amazing.

[@wattsmilly01]

watched this many times still one of the best on youtube

[@TheGamerWithAPlan]

Absolutely amazing production! I am an American with a huge admiration for the UK and its in and outs. It just seems that your nation works in terms of common sense still. Here in the US, everything has to be done the hardest and most inconvenient way possible. I mean just look at Government websites in the UK compared to the US, yours are actually friendly. Look at UCAS for example, your government is there as an aid, not as a ruler as I feel in the US. Good on you guys!

[@global001]

You've understood the US/UK difference. Discretion is often more effective than brute force. No need to crack a nut with a sledge hammer.

[@MaSoNGaMeR115]

the uk works in terms of common sense? stop smoking meth

[@cogidubnus1953]

@@global001 Oh good shot that man...(or lady for that matter)....

[@laurastuart3814]

Who wouldn't want to be transported around with that level of smoothness! Wonderful job.

[@northoltflightwatch]

Brilliant video showing the SEG in action, very impressive how it all comes together!

[@CobraEmergency]

Recognised some of your best videos in there ;)

[@ikarlhd1]

Been watching SEG videos for a few days now and been drawn into how seamless they carry out their job, just came across this video and wow, absolutely amazing!!!!!!!!

[@kensutherland5270]

As a member of a civilian support group (Unity Support Riders) I can relate to this escorting through London and can only hope to emulate these chaps to some level, quality safe work

[@avoidingtrees560]

The British smoothness at its best. Cheers from France England!

[@RozzerMildred97]

This was brilliant. Very skilled and impressive group!

[@rayblade6383]

These kinda videos make you feel proud to be British...

[@borstalboy24]

great video, watching these guys at work is real treat. even if you in a car as they go past they are gone and everything is back to normal in minutes

[@ghostuk1973]

As a biker my self...that would be the coolest job ever....😀

[@haythamthabit42]

Ghostly RiderUK of course

[@bongoslide]

I mist my calling lol envy the bikers

[@l1u1c1k]

Idiot

[@tooyoungtobeold8756]

Better than a MotoGP rider?

[@somerandomguy389]

Agreed

[@jimodonnellfiddleplayer6387]

Yes I once saw a police bike materialise out of nowwhere to enable an air ambulance to land in the middle of a busy junction. Very impressive. This video takes it to another level. Thank for posting.

[@Trolligarch]

Who knew a documentary on a Met Police Special Escort Group could be so interesting?

[@Woody29]

Great video!! It's always a privilege to get an inside view of things like this. Good job!

[@hywelw]

I've seen this a couple of times from the roadside when I lived near London - I had no idea that it was run like such a well oiled machine - such professionals. Thank you for sharing this!

[@dubioussquirrel4147]

Impressive skills and technique on display, and a good choice of bike as well. This is one of the best UK Police video's I've seen so far.

[@MrMentalackack]

I've never fully appreciated why so many outriders are used and now I do. I really enjoyed this video, great upload.

[@lifeofbryan3098]

Great film! The title describes the SEG's work perfectly. Threading a needle, and making it look easy

[@annasegatti4428]

LifeOfBryan j)

[@garethevans9789]

Great video, an insight into something I didn't think they'd divulge. Both were impressive; the 1st for keeping them moving with only two outriders, and the 2nd for the speed. I can see how it works, It's hard to launch an attack as they're moving so fast (that's if the attacker knew the route). Plus they're using the traffic as a wall, so it would be hard to get near them in the first place (I don't think I'd like to get on the wrong side of those marksmen). It is quite incredible how different it is (the precision), compared to how the US does things (using a small army). MI5: I'm not conspiring an attack, just interested in strategy.

[@ykdickybill]

As an Aim roadsmart 1st holder on a 1200GS I feel I can relate to this . It TUGged my IPSGA to another level entirely. These boys are Concentrating with the same kind of level you would have if you were doing a freefall parachute jump. It is exhausting having that level of concentration. This is professional riding perfection !

[@YodaOnDMT]

So calm for the person being escorted but you can tell how frantic it is for the outriders, especially if they "make it up as they go along." The other riders must be knackered by the end of all that chasing while the main rider can put his feet up.

[@ghostuk1973]

I do a bit of road marshaling from time to time...and it's great fun ..running from back to front...check out my channel....

[@halbyg4291]

It's not like theirs running. The bikes do all the work lol

[@BratFyre]

Actually the one at the front has all the hard work. He has to secure the route, figure it all out. His would be the most mentally exhausting.

[@steviez110]

What a brilliant video and shows how the professionals do it, And even their tactics have evolved with the "boys" now de-mounting at junctions. If only we could teach bikers to ride in a similar manner and safely. From an ex bike instructor.

[@MrBeboopman]

Loved this... loved it. As a traffic motorcyclist this is inspirational.. Thanks for sharing and hello from Ireland.

[@antonyloveless9666]

+MrBeboopman Thanks, and hello from NI.

[@BraceillerProductions]

Absolutly amazing film, Thank you for making this, very interesting. 1 of the cool things I noticed is who the music fitted with the 2nd escort perfectly when the escort went in the tunnel, beautiful! Looking forward to more from you.

[@antonyloveless9666]

Braceiller Productions Cheers, every kind of you.

[@antonyloveless9666]

Antony Loveless 'Very' kind, even!

[@LeakyWadersAdventureClub]

Really enjoyed this. Thanks for the work.

[@antonyloveless9666]

+Stu K Cheers!

[@tooyoungtobeold8756]

That presidential calvalcade is ridiculous.

[@Mirandorl]

The sped up part at the end really showed how slick the outriders do their job, getting to the junctions just in time. Very relaxing to watch *waves union jack*

[@benp.8242]

Amazing... Congrats and well done Metropolitan Police Special Escort Group... Top of the TOP...

[@MrAli171]

What a really good video as a biker of many years I have always found motorcycle police to be firm but fair and quite often will chat with you about bikes

[@Booie1952]

Superb video showing professionals at the top of their game. It was the unhurried but at the same time the quick progress that was made through the traffic. I don't go to London much so I've never heard the whistles, but I have in other Countries and they work. I'm a Registered Nurse, on my Student Placement in an A & E I came across the same coolness. Everybody knows their job and gets on with it. No-one needs telling. Thank you Anthony.

[@antonyloveless9666]

Thanks for watching, and for taking the time to comment.

[@gerbazs]

Amazing... I wish police in Hungary would be this professional when comes to escorts. Here, they often fail in both their aim to not stop and also in not (sometimes dangerously) distracting traffic. They usually "bully" their way through traffic with mostly cars "honking" (you know that sound that police cars make that's neither the usual siren nor the regular horn and something a bit like a diesel truck horn but more "digital" sounding, like brrrrr) aggressively and at least ome car occupying two lanes partly. I guess this is to separate vehicles from ones they protect/escort, but they don't shy away pushing others to oncoming traffic or close to a barrier in case of a motorway which I think is very dangerous, especially for inexperienced drivers. I admit that hungarian drivers are also quite bad ad yielding to emergency vehicles but I think this tactic makes it worth. Properly managing traffic flow would result in better cooperation too IMHO.

[@pdunderhill]

Excellent lesson in how to make the complex look simple.

[@scottpatterson7573]

that's the best police show ever

[@CobraEmergency]

Brilliant video mate ;). Nice and informative with the two parts as well! Watched everything in there before except the second part ;). Learnt some stuff I didn't know too. Nice one mate =D

[@markgr1nyer]

A hot knife cuts a messier line through butter than the SEG. I've watched part one loads as its one of my favorite YT vids but part two is just as impressive. Would be useful to learn how to discreetly create such space for the blood bikes ;) I also love the fact only the lead rider really knows the route, keeps it much more flexible and so less predictable for the bad guys. So much smoother than the "liver run" too

[@lynxeffectt]

It would be nice, if it were true, but it's BS. EVERY person in the Escort knows the route (AND at least 3 alternatives, including nearest hospitals and parallel routes) BACKWARDS! The commentator has NO clue what he is talking about.

[@ralphdyson7926]

Thank you all for a magnificent and amazingly good job done. These people on there bikes are fantastic. You lead the World.

[@aflutteroffeminineconfusio1986]

So masterfully done..i just happened upon this and so glad i did..it takes intelligence and truckloads of nounce and the upmost skill to pull any of this off...very proud of my British blood 😊

[@KevinWijaya95]

What a great video mate! I am actually really impressed with your short movie and I was just thinking if you could make similar documentaries ;)

[@antonyloveless9666]

KevinWijaya95 Cheers Kevin, that's very kind of you. Am working on another one as I write.

[@multilinkacs]

2019, just found this. Great bit of film to salute some special officers.

[@billscott9719]

Very good video. Interesting to watch the Group from the inside. Bill

[@antonyloveless9666]

Cheers Bill, very kind.

[@davidlewis4015]

The last 5 minutes reminded me how much I miss my time as a traffic bobby in the 1970's

[@AntonyLoveless]

That's the only downside of a career as part of the thin blue line. You rather get used to motorists letting you out at junctions, moving aside for you when you're riding or driving a marked vehicle. Always comes as a bit of a shock driving home when you realise you're invisible again.

[@znagazanga]

Very impressive group. hats off all the way from Jordan.

[@Venkman1357]

It's brilliant. Quiet enough to not alert everyone to their presence in a one mile radius by using sirens whilst flowing effortlessly through traffic by taking short stops and moving in turn...also managing to stop traffic in central London with a whistle. Great to watch.

[@TomSmith3579]

Absolutely brilliant

[@JackKeen]

Great Film! Love how on the first escort the number plate on the front bike includes 'seg'.

[@lynxeffectt]

They all do.

[@Zulnex]

Splendid video! Many thanks for sharing.

[@karlomoharic3992]

wow , that is actually quite amazing , the way they just sneak past traffic , causing so little disturbance

[@SimonWattsWILDPresentationsUK]

Had these guys come down the M69 (Leicestershire) just before Xmas. Hard shoulder, rolling road block, and then convoy of limo and 20 bikes tearing through. Kept the rolling road block going for another 5 minutes post passing. Pretty impressive.

[@rapid1019]

Great job. The forward police bikers really have their work cut out for them getting ahead and making sure the path is clear in busy London traffic !

[@KimMoonbmwmoonie]

NIce work! Love the part 2 especially> Great work by the SEG as well. In the USA we would need 40 riders and a helicopter! LOL

[@DavidKing-fx3fz]

Interesting video. I've always admired the skill of police riders

[@sweetyjones1756]

Well this was very interesting and informative.. wow!.. excellent work by our SEG service : D

[@ruislipman1]

Very well scripted and great cinematography. Outstanding Mr. Loveless very interesting.

[@antonyloveless9666]

ruislipman1 Thank you, very kind of you to say.

[@andylasers7288]

Great video Antony, its very interesting to see how much effort goes in.

[@paulgabolinscy2502]

They are simply the best

[@cliveramsbotty6077]

That second run absolutely blew me away... Only 5 outriders? Absolutely outstanding. Seeing the difference between London 14 years ago and now, it's a wonder they can get anything done at all but they do. A long winded route but for a good cause, sick children I believe.

[@williamevans9426]

Excellent video and commentaries!

[@alistairl]

I think I've got the video with the soundtrack you linked to on Visordown all those years ago, great to hear the voices this time.

[@AntonyLoveless]

Cheers Alistair. Latest software made the whole thing a lot easier than when I made the original video back in 2001.

[@Sharkpanda246]

Absolutely fascinating I saw a police escort today while me and my son visited London prompting this video search and I am absolutely obsessed . Thank you for showing us this !! Also what is the remix in part 2? I love it 😀

[@ginkotree08]

Excellent video Anthony. It would be really good to follow this up with a series of videos on police advanced motorcycle training

[@Blackwater_House]

I have been twice privileged in My Life to travel with an Eight Motorcycle Police Escort. On the first occasion I had 4 Motorcycles in front of Me and 4 Motorcycles behind Me and We were travelling at Speed on Our way to a Plane Crash. On the second occasion the 8 Motorcycles were swarming all about Me and My Speed was much more sedate. On that occasion I was driving a 1938 London Double Decker Bus with 12 Police Officers onboard. On that occasion I also did not have an appropriate Drivers Licence and was driving Under Police Authority.

[@tooyoungtobeold8756]

The policeman infront of the car has really mastered slow riding.

[@Wabbit_Hunta]

Surrey Police were doing something like this (and failed!) a few months ago, near to where I live. They were escorting a 3 VIP vehicles, as they ground to a halt a number of times. They had no outriders halting traffic at junctions, and vehicles got separated and then back together within the space of a few hundred yards as vehicles joined traffic at road junctions. They've got a lot to learn from the SEG.

[@rocketman48]

fasinating stuff i enjoyed the placing of bikes along the way and how it is done.

[@reggiedabell1023]

Wow that is some special riding, most impressive.

[@bongoslide]

Really give insight and respect to all who do their job in such a manner.PS as a biker i envy there job

[@technotoaster]

Brilliant video. Enjoyable viewing

[@liddylinski4916]

Wow !! Absolutely amazing thanx so much for putting this video together Do all major cities have something like this when royalty visit e.g.when Queen or Charles visit say Manchester or Birmingham who would escort them to their visiting location please

[@halbyg4291]

Us presidential motorcades are ridiculous. But that what happens when everyone in your country owns a semi-automatic assault rifle and a few handguns... Everywhere you go you're at risk.

[@johneddy18]

good work lads

[@mikdavies5027]

The British Way, nothing gung-ho! always polite, make it up as you go along, simply, THE BEST!

[@Tang0Fox1]

The US could learn alot from this.

[@michaelwotherspoon6160]

The us doesn't operate the same way. The United states is like a teenager who drinks loads of protein shakes at the gym and flexes his muscles every 5 seconds so their motorcades in my opinion are way over the top. The UK has a "let's crack on chaps" mentality so we like to be a little more efficient and a little less extravagant.

[@davidlyon1899]

​@@michaelwotherspoon6160...and of course we are skint.I as a biker myself have often been impressed by the skill of police riders,they must be well trained. We could do with a lot more of them as the standard of driving in London is definitely worse now than say 20 years ago.

[@secretbrad9259]

Fascinating video thank you for sharing

[@g8sbs944]

wow its good to see the SEG and how it works

[@wattsmilly01]

one of the best on u tube

[@smopoo]

Great video! that remix of Sail is dreadful though!

[@davidz8]

Brilliant film, very very interesting and so impressed by the team of riders, one question, how do they talk on the radios and use their whistles or is the whistle sound electronic from the bikes?

[@pault1964]

David Hemming only one person is talking

[@halbyg4291]

pault1964 not true. You can hear multiple voices. 17:15

[@halbyg4291]

David Hemming I suspect the whistles are on the inside of their helmets, like those hands-free harmonica contractions. And microphones are in helmets, and are activated by a push-button.

[@isaacmartinez1801]

@@halbyg4291 w

[@andrewjones-productions]

Excellent skill and whilst not the intention of S.E.G. or this documentary, shows up the brash arrogant nonsense of the POTUS motorcade.

[@Mike7O7O]

Very interesting and well produced :)

[@conradbrown5881]

Great video, thanks for posting it. The only question I have is who one Earth are the 143 people who pressed the thumbs down button???

[@CoastHobbit9340]

(It was the 143 bad guys on duty that day! )

[@jackydefo]

watching the US president's motorcade is so dumb

[@antonyloveless9666]

Watching it is dumb? Why? The way they go about escorting their president seems dumb but each to their own. I think watching it is educational in and of itself because it presents a contrast to our own subtle way of doing things.

[@jackydefo]

Antony Loveless the fact that they need 50 vehicles is dumb yes

[@MikeRogers483]

JayDee Well damn he's gotta have his entourage!

[@pauldavison7105]

Americans are overwhelmed with their own importance. They use ignorance and firepower as a defensive tactic. Everyone knows in advance where Donald Gump will be. We use intelligence and movement.

[@lrsmith6037]

You have to keep in mind he is the most powerful person on the planet and at great risk for harm while traveling. The persons in the video above are important but no where near the same level of security.

[@minimalsoundz1623]

*All we want to do it maintain progress. Perfect!

[@kennethrose1126]

Great video

[@genevielucious4945]

This is so good.

[@c7uk]

Great riding! I love seeing these escorts through London. I can’t help think at 26:44 they should’ve headed to the far left lane to go around Wellington Arch rather than pass under it to loop around again, though...

[@volkerschaupp51]

Well done!

[@petedavis8701]

Love the title of your Media company, from a former RCS often chased, person HaHa

[@hugheszie]

The way the Brits do it is unpredictable, if arguable, is safer than pre-blocking streets.

[@UncleBoratagain]

You have put your finger on an absolutely cardinal security point there.

[@hugheszie]

@@UncleBoratagain Thank you. The way I see it is, theoretically if you and I were going to plot some form of attack on a person, this organised chaos way of doing security would make it considerably harder for us to hatch a plan VS if we did the same in the USA. Take the JFK assassination for example. Preplanned route.

[@michaelwarwick9930]

SEG's work - Absolutely fascinating, and though I'm not a biker (and perhaps because I'm not) I am in awe of the skill and teamwork involved. Video production - Great camerawork, but the narration is sleepy and the music in the closing sequence is crass and thus out of keeping with the whole thing.

[@MrFlyingguy]

worthwhile viewing!

[@hantspcmark8506]

excellent film

[@antonyloveless9666]

+HantsPCMark Cheers!

[@lynxeffectt]

Excellent, but inaccurate, in several parts. I'm guessing that was deliberate, for the purposes of artistic licence and to keep some are of mystique about the SEG.

[@JD-eq4dp]

Standard VIP escort work. Most UK police forces will have some similar set up. The MET will do more of it for obvious reasons, seat of government, capital city etc...

[@allwellbud]

Good on the British Govt. to tackle VIP convoy/escort without blocking the traffic for long neither a huge motorcade.