Barry started his working life in the theatre at the age of 13 sweeping the stage and progressed through an apprenticeship to become a Stage Manager then Stage Director. He worked with many of the household names but due to the decline in Theatre audiences he decided on a change of career and joined the Police.

He served in two different police forces before being retired due to a serious injury sustained while on duty in 1990.

After the statutory 2 years in uniform, Barry joined the Criminal Investigation Department and worked as a Divisional Detective before an attachment to Special Branch in Counter Terrorist Operations.

As a provincial officer he assisted with occasional close protection duties and as such will give informed and well researched talks on Close Protection, how Royal Visits are planned, the Brighton Bombing, Counter Terrorism, Life as a Detective, and two presentations on Prisons and Life “Inside.”

During the course of his Police Service, he received 8 Commendations.

He also received a bravery award from Princess Margaret for saving the life of a woman at sea in the early hours of the morning during the winter.

He is a Justice of the Peace and a Freeman of the City of London and his voluntary work included Monitoring a large prison for the Ministry of Justice, a Hospital Governor and a member of the Public Protection Committee.

1. A BODYGUARD’S STORY.
Learn about the role of the bodyguard and the dangers faced by VIP’s on a daily basis. Barry’s time as a member of the team of provincial police bodyguards protecting the well-known faces of the day: - including The Princess Royal, Diana Princess of Wales, Ian Paisley, Margaret Thatcher and The Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland.
Hear about Barry’s day at the wedding of Charles and Diana in July 1981 and delve into the conspiracy theories surrounding her death in 1997.
Finally, every protection officer’s nightmare – the death of a principal, in this case the murder of the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland Sir Maurice Gibson and his wife Lady Cecily.

2. THE BRIGHTON BOMBING 1984 (Part 1)
Hear about an historic event- the first attempt to murder members of British Government since the gunpowder plot. This presentation tells the story behind the story, what went wrong and why and the dreadful aftermath of the assassination attempt.
The planning by the bomber, how it was planted and why it was not detected by the search teams. Hear about the events that unfolded that night including the work that goes in to keeping Ministers safe.

3. THE BRIGHTON BOMBING 1984 (Part 2)
An account of the investigation and subsequent identification of the Brighton Bomber. The story of the investigation, how the bomber was identified, and the technology used by the Security Services and GCHQ.
Hear how the surveillance was conducted and how 4 members of an IRA active service unit who planned to bomb 16 towns and cities across the United Kingdom were identified as a by-product of the investigation.
Learn about the arrest of the bomber Patrick Magee and how he planted the bomb at the Grand Hotel Brighton.
Finally, we consider the legacy of the bombing for the victims.

4. SPECIAL BRANCH.
An account from a former Special Branch Officer during his time in the counter terrorist department. You will learn some frightening statistics; a close look at how life was for officers working in the province. An example of an undercover operation and how the IRA recruited, vetted, and trained their operatives.
The presentation concludes with the background to, and murder of, two British soldiers in Northern Ireland, which at the time was one of the most harrowing events ever shown live on British Television.

5. A LIFE OF CRIME – (from a detective’s point of view).
An inside view of the Criminal Investigation department from a retired Detective. It includes some historical examples of offences Barry has dealt with, whether the prosecution was successful or not and some personal anecdotes about offenders’ attempts to extricate themselves from investigation.
On a serious note, Barry relates his personal experience of how investigating crime can affect the officers concerned and the effects on the victims and their families.
It concludes with his account of two murders which occurred after he had retired, but, having known one of the suspects for a long time, called his former colleagues with his thoughts. The offender is now serving life in prison.

6. BEHIND THE SCENES OF A ROYAL VISIT.
A behind the scenes look at a royal visit, the complex planning and intelligence that makes such visits both successful and safe for all concerned from a protection officers perspective.
The presentation shows how routes are planned, how safe houses are identified, and how the ‘Principle’ is kept visible to the public, who, very often have queued for hours just to get a glimpse of the VIP.

7. PRISON. (An easy option?).
A considered view of the pros and cons of imprisonment as a form of punishment. This presentation is an insight into prisons in general, raising several issues: what is the purpose of detention, is it an effective deterrent, what does it achieve and is it an appropriate response to the crime committed.
Sentencing guidelines are discussed and why the general public becomes upset at the perceived injustice of some custodial decisions.
Alternatives to prison are discussed, including home detention curfews.
Finally, the talk looks at the problem of drugs in the prison and how prohibited items are smuggled in and for what purpose, how weapons, alcohol and other items are made or adapted for use inside.

8. PRISON (LIFE BEHIND BARS).
Barry offers you the opportunity to see what life is like after the prison door bangs shut behind you. After spending over 17 years as a Magistrate and volunteer member of the Independent Monitoring Board at a large prison Barry is in a unique position to offer an insight into the day-to-day life of the prison.
He will describe the events that unfold after a defendant is convicted and sentenced to a term in custody.
Look at discipline within the establishment, the work of the security department in trying to combat drugs, mobile phones, weapons, and tattoos, culminating in an account of what the new prisoner can expect to encounter during his first day “inside”

9. CLOSE PROTECTION
This presentation allows a look behind the scenes into the role of the Protection Officer, their training, relationship with their principles and its effects when compromised. Barry also discusses the counter-terrorist and anti-kidnap training given to members of the Royal Family and senior politicians.

10. THE IMPACT OF CRIME.
This presentation looks at current crime figures and the direct effects on victims and witnesses. Victim impact statements, how witnesses can be protected in court giving evidence. An in depth look at how new identities are created both legally and an insight as to how easy it is for the criminal create their own. An explanation of what signing the sex offender register means.
Restorative justice (does it work?), Sarah’s law and Clair’s law and finally, some advice and information on how easy it is to scam your contactless bank cards.


All the above presentations are given with the aid of Power Point and contain many photographs and video clips..
The subject matter can be serious however, he also includes several humorous slides and videos to make each talk entertaining.
Barry makes himself available to answer questions at any time around the ship during the cruise.

He will always make himself available with extra or last-minute presentations should the situation arise.

Barry is more than willing to assist by acting as a quiz master and has prepared 4 Crime Based quizzes which has been used to great effect on recent cruises and was very positively received by the passengers.

He has also assisted by having question and answer sessions and interviews on stage with the cruise director.

The following recent Cruise History has been recorded for this candidate.