Security Training and Professional Development SIG

New crowded places strategy a good start

It’s only days since the 17 September release of ‘ Protecting Our Crowded Places from Attack: New Zealand’s Strategy’, writes chief editor Nicholas Dynon, and initial security industry feedback is mixed.

Several months after the subdued publishing of New Zealand’s Counter-Terrorism Strategy on 18 February, one of its associated documents, Protecting Our Crowded Places from Attack: New Zealand’s Strategy has now been released with a similar lack of fanfare.

As reported in the April 2020 issue of NZSM, the new crowded places strategy builds on the 2017 Australian and 2014 UK crowded places documents, tailoring its advice to the New Zealand context.

Initial reactions Initial reactions from within the security industry to the document’s release have been mixed. According to Red Badge’s Andy Gollings, collaboration will be key.

“On first review it looks good, a more practical approach than the ANZCTC Strategy, which is what is needed,” Mr Gollings commented on LinkedIn.

“It will be really interesting to see how well this is adopted by operators of crowded places and security operators,” he continued. “We all need to support greater collaboration and the establishment of these advisory groups should have a really positive impact, with the right people in the room.”

According to Sir Ken McKenzie, Head of Security, Health and Safety at Auckland Museum, the document is a good start, although “there will have to be some clarity in detail, proactive assistance to assess a venue and deliver security confidence and

Protecting Our Crowded Places from Attack:

New Zealand’s Strategy

Te Whakamaru i Ō Tātau Wāhi Kōpiripiri mai i te Whakaekenga:

Te Rautaki a Aotearoa

assurance that everything practicable has been delivered.”

Sir Ken also noted that the document offered little in the way of “really informative guidance.”

“The links to various sources of supportive information while helpful will in my view make it very confusing for those trying to come to terms with “What Does This All Mean For Me” and how do I apply it as a venue owner/operator,” he wrote in the same LinkedIn discussion.

What the Strategy says about private security Although several government ministries and agencies were listed as having contributed to the crowded places strategy, it appears that New Zealand’s non-government security sector is yet to be consulted in the document’s development. This is despite the document making a number of brief references to ‘private security’ and its apparent role in the strategy’s implementation:

“Before deciding which protective security measures to use, owners and operators must determine how exposed their location is to attack and assess its risks and vulnerabilities in a proportionate way. They may need to consult private security providers to help them.” [Page 9]

“Based on the results of the self-assessment, the tool gives guidance about what steps to take next. These may include talking to police, undertaking a risk assessment of the location, hiring a private security contractor and implementing effective and proportionate protective security measures recommended by an expert.” [Page 16]

“Private security providers have an important role to protect crowded places. Sometimes private security personnel (security contractors, risk analysis experts and private security officers) are directly responsible for making crowded places more secure. Often they are the first responders to a terrorist attack or similar incident. Consequently, they must be well trained and professional.” [Page 16]

According to the document’s Introduction, New Zealand’s crowded places strategy rests on four elements, two of which are ‘building stronger partnerships’ and ‘better sharing of information and guidance’. Given their lack of sector consultation so far, however, the strategy’s owners have much to do to deliver on their collaborative intentions.