Events from the 7/7 London bombings of 2005 through to the recent spate of letter bomb attacks clearly demonstrate that day-to-day security provision within the UK must now recognise the threat of a possible terrorist onslaught. The current threat from extremist factions means that companies must plan for the potential consequences of a terrorist attack involving not just conventional explosives but also chemical, biological or radioactive agents.
At the same time, we have also seen single-issue activist groups – including Animal Rights bodies and the Anti-Vivisection Lobby – turning towards ever more extreme forms of protest. The recent letter bomb attacks appear to indicate that UK businesses could potentially become targets because of the activities of their clients.
As an individual responsible for the security provision of a business operating within the UK, what does this mean to you? Have you reviewed your company’s security policies and practices in light of this new threat? Are you in a position to advise senior management on how this could impact upon your company’s business, staff and assets? Do you have a clear understanding of how potential actions could impinge on the operations of your organisation? What part can – and, indeed, should – your company’s staff be playing to counteract what is now a very real and serious threat to economic and social stability?
To help you answer these questions and many more, Security Management Today (SMT) has joined forces with sponsor MITIE Security to organise the journal’s inaugural seminar for corporate security managers and directors. Taking place at The Brewery in London on Wednesday 9 May, ‘Countering Terrorism: the Contribution of the Private Security Sector’ has enlisted a panel of experts (chaired by SMT Editor Brian Sims) to discuss and debate the key issues.
Andrew Trotter – deputy chief constable of the British Transport Police (BTP) – is due to discuss the lessons learned in the wake of 7/7, and the important role that the private security industry has to play in the ongoing fight against terrorism on home shores.
Patrick Sookhdeo, director of the Institute for the Study of Islam and Christianity, will then explain why the threat from so-called ‘Islamic extremism’ necessitates a sea change in our traditional approaches to counter-terrorism. Patrick is going to outline the drivers behind (and the mindset of) Islamic terror groups.
Our final speaker of the day will be Guy Mathias, associate director (UK security) at Huntingdon Life Sciences. In what promises to be an excellent discourse, Guy is scheduled to look at the reality of managing a company’s security provision in the face of continuing threats. Are we seeing new tactics and militancy levels from single-issue groups? Are ‘terror’-style attacks by individuals – as opposed to groups – becoming more common? Does this mean an increased threat to private companies’ staff and assets?
Following these morning talks, there will be a series of breakout sessions identifying specified issues. All groups will then join forces at the end of the day to pool their knowledge.
