Counter Terror Business 54

Taking responsibility for protecting the public

THE JOURNEY TO HERE

With legislation set to be published in spring, what can we expect?

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2023 has seen the publication of two important reports. The first is William Shawcross’s long-awaited and much-delayed Independent Review of Prevent. While the recommendations have been accepted by the government, many others have publicly criticised the report.

The second is the third and final volume of the Manchester Arena Inquiry, which focuses on radicalisation and preventability. This issue of Counter Terror Business magazine looks at both of these reports in detail.

We have also heard that draft legislation for Martyn’s Law is set to be published in Spring - so, imminently. Figen Murray explains what we can expect to see and what it has taken to get this far.

In this issue, we also look ahead to several events in the coming months, including The Security Event, The Counter Terror Expo and The International Security Expo and cover the topics of HVM, Facial Recognition Technology and cybersecurity.

Polly Jones, editor

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CONTENTS CTB 54

07 NEWS

Terrorism threat level raised in Northern Ireland; Research investigates use of Live Facial Recognition in Met; Increase in number of young people arrested for terrorism offences

12 MARTYNS LAW

Draft legislation for Martyn’s Law is set to be published in the spring. Figen Murray, campaigner and mother of Martyn Hett, whom the law is named after explains what we can expect and what it has taken to get this far

14 MANCHESTER ARENA ENQUIRY Nick Aldworth of Risk2Resolution on volume 3 of the Manchester Arena Inquiry

16 PREVENT REVIEW

The much anticipated Independent Review of Prevent was published in February. While the government has said it is committed to implementing the findings of the review, there have been widespread criticisms

21 THE SECURITY EVENT

The Security Event (TSE), the UK’s no.1 award-winning commercial, enterprise and domestic security event returns to the NEC Birmingham on 25-27 April 2023

25 HVM

Event organisers have a Corporate Social Responsibility to take immediate action to protect members of the public, leading hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM) experts have warned

28 CTX 2023

CTX – The Counter Terror Expo returns to ExCeL London on 17th & 18th May to unite professionals from industry, infrastructure, government and policing to explore the latest counter-terrorism technologies and solutions

31 FACIAL RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY

Many police forces and other security services have been using facial recognition technology for a while now. However, it is a hotly debated topic with privacy concerns and struggles to win over the public

35 INTERNATIONAL SECURITY EXPO

With new threats and patterns increasing in frequency and sophistication, innovation in the security industry is more important than ever. This makes the 2023 edition of ISE, returning to Olympia London in September 2023, more essential than ever

40 CYBER SECURITY

Tom Kidwell, Co-Founder, Ecliptic Dynamics and former British Army and UK Government intelligence specialist and internet infrastructure security professional on protecting the public sector

42 CCW 2023

Tero Pesonen and Mladen Vratonjic of TCCA’s Critical Communications Broadband Group look at the origin of CCW 2023’s key theme and discuss key topics at Critical Communications World 2023 in Helsinki

44 CTB INTERVIEW

CTB interviews Travis Frain, a survivor of the 2017 Westminster Bridge attack in which four people were killed, and who recently received The British Citizen Award for Services to Volunteering and Charitable Giving

NORTHERN IRELAND NORTHERN IRELAND

Terrorism threat level raised in Northern Ireland

continue to report any concerns they have to the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Biden marks 25 years of Good Friday Agreement

The secretary of state for Northern Ireland has announced that the Northern Ireland-related Terrorism threat level in Northern Ireland has been raised from substantial to severe.

Chris Heaton-Harris said that the decision to change the threat level is taken by MI5, independently of ministers. The threat level is now severe, meaning an attack is highly likely.

According to a statement from the Secretary of State, the public should remain vigilant, but not be alarmed and

NATO Finland joins NATO

Heaton-Harris said: “The threat level to Northern Ireland from Northern Ireland Related Terrorism is constantly monitored and is subject to a regular formal review. This is a systematic, comprehensive and rigorous process, based on the very latest intelligence and analysis of factors which drive the threat. The threat level review takes into account a range of factors and analysis of recent incidents.”

Recent months have seen an increase in levels of activity relating to Northern Ireland Related Terrorism, which has targeted police officers.

The threat level for Northern Ireland was downgraded last March.

The threat level in the rest of the UK remains substantial, meaning an attack is a strong possibility.

MANCHESTER ARENA ATTACK

US President Joe Biden has marked 25 years of the Good Friday agreement in a visit to Belfast. Biden commented on the “tremendous progress” that has been made since the agreement was signed. He said: “This place is transformed by peace; made technicolour by peace; made whole by peace.”

Finland has officially joined NATO, doubling the alliance’s border with Russia. Finland becomes the 31st member of the security alliance.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken accepted the accession document from the Finnish foreign secretary and declared Finland a member of NATO.

NATO’s Article five states that an attack on one member is an attack on all. This means that if Finland (which shares an 832-mile border with Russia) were to be attacked, all NATO member states would come to its aid.

Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said: “It is a great day for Finland.”

NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said: “This will make Finland safer and NATO stronger.”

“President Putin had a declared goal of the invasion of Ukraine to get less NATO along its borders and no more membership in Europe, he’s getting exactly the opposite.”

Finland has an active armed force of around 30,000 as well as 250,000 reserves.

The Glade of Light memorial to victims of the 2017 Manchester Arena Attack has won a national award. According to the Manchester Evening News, the memorial has been awarded a community impact and engagement special award in the Civic Trust Awards 2023. The judges said: “The overall composition is exceptional with the landscaping and planting being a soft and responsive reflection of the existing public realm and surrounding environs.”

The Civic trust added that the memorial had “become a significant place in the heart of Manchester for the personal and communal process of remembrance, grieving and healing”.

Joanne Roney OBE, chief executive of Manchester City Council, said: “The Glade of Light memorial is a peaceful place for remembrance and reflection, both private and collective. I know that all those involved in this project, and who put so much care and love into it, were honoured to be working on the memorial and will be humbled that it has been recognised in this way.”

Biden also met with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and with some of Stormont’s political party leaders. He urged politicians to return to government, but praised them for their unity following the attempted murder of a police officer in February. A large security operation was in place for the visit, with 2,900 officers deployed for the £7 million operation. However, the PSNI is investigating after a document that seems to give details of the operation was found on the street by a member of the public.

MARTYN’S LAW

Martyn’s Law draft bill to be published in spring

Home secretary Suella Braverman has told MPs that a draft Martyn’s Law bill is on track to be published this spring.

The announcement came as MPs were discussing the third volume of the Manchester Arena Inquiry report. Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper asked Braverman to share the timetable of the proposed law and whether it would appear before parliament before summer recess.

Braverman said: “In relation to Martyn’s law, the government will publish draft legislation for scrutiny in the spring and after that introduce a bill to the house as soon as parliamentary time allows.”

Manchester Arena memorial wins national award

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FACIAL RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY

Research investigates use of Live Facial Recognition in Met

Rate) was 0.017 per cent. The chance of a false match therefore, is 1 in 6000 people walking past the camera.

When used at a threshold setting of 0.6 or above, any differences in matches across groups were not statistically significant - meaning performance was the same across race and gender.

With regards to Retrospective Facial Recognition, the true positive identification rate for high quality images was 100 per cent.

Independent research into the Met’s deployment of facial recognition has been published by The National Physical Laboratory.

The study, which was entitled ‘Facial Recognition Technology in Law Enforcement’, tested the accuracy, in operational conditions, of the algorithm used by the Met in terms of different demographics.

AVIATION Second UK airport scraps liquid rule

London City Airport has become the second airport in the UK to scrap the 100 ml rule for liquids with the introduction of high-tech scanners.

Flyers are now able to carry up to two litres of liquid, and liquids no longer need to be put in separate bags.

The new C3 scanners take highresolution 3D images of bags and the government has set a deadline of June 2024 for most UK airports to install the machines.

Teesside airport introduced the scanners in March.

Travellers also no longer need to remove electronics from luggage. According to chief operating officer Alison FitzGerald, the new system is quicker and safe at the same time.

The research found that there are settings the algorithm can be operated at where there is no statistical significance between demographic performance.

It was also found that when used at a threshold setting of 0.6 or above, correct matches (True Positive Identification Rate) were 89 per cent. The incorrect match rate (False Positive Identification

TERRORISM

The Met says it will use “Facial Recognition Technology as a first, but significant, step towards precise community-based crime fighting.”

According to the Met: “Live Facial Recognition (LFR) enables us to be more focussed in our approach to tackle crime, including robbery and violence against women and girls.”

Increase in number of young people arrested for terrorism offences

Figures released by the home office have revealed that the number of young people being arrested on suspicion of terrorism-related offences in the UK continues to rise.

Police made 166 counter terrorism arrests in the year to 31 December 2022, of which 32 were under 17. This is an 11 per cent increase compared to the previous year.

Counter Terrorism Policing’s deputy senior national coordinator Richard Smith said: “The reality is that children and teenagers, some as young 12 or 13, are now featuring more frequently in our investigative casework.

“The statistics are stark and I know that they’re a difficult read for the public, particularly parents and carers – as police officers and investigators we absolutely share that concern.

“Our priority is always to protect the public and, at the sharpest end of the threat, individuals will be charged and prosecuted for criminal offences. However, for others, there may be different options.

“When anyone enters the counter terrorism system, we will always consider whether multi-agency interventions and safeguarding protocols will help mitigate the risk to the public. These can also work in the best interests of the individual, which is especially important when dealing with young people.

“Much like the terrorist threat, our approach is always evolving and we have a responsibility to consider all legitimate options to keep people safe.”

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Manchester Arena survivors to sue conspiracy theorist

Two Manchester Arena survivors have filed legal action against a conspiracy theorist who claims the attack was faked.

Father and daughter Martin and Eve Hibbert are suing Richard D Hall for defamation and harassment. Martin

MANCHESTER ARENA ATTACK

was paralysed from the waist down and Eve was left severely disabled by the Manchester Arena attack in 2017, which killed 22 people. This is the first time action of this type has been taken against a conspiracy theorist.

Last year, a Radio 4 podcast series and BBC Panorama investigation revealed that Richard D Hall tracks down survivors to their homes and workplaces to see if they are lying about their injuries. Hall admitted that he spied on Eve Hibbert from a vehicle outside their home. He has also sold a book in which he described his tactics, and promoted theories online that other UK terror attacks were staged. The Hibbert family is now seeking an injunction to restrain Hall from making similar allegations in future and damages for some of the harm he has caused them.

Jacinda Ardern takes on role tackling online extremism

Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern has taken on a role tackling violent extremism online. The news follows her resignation as prime minister in January. She will take on an unpaid role as special envoy for the Christchurch Call, an initiative which she cofounded in 2019 to bring together countries and technology companies to combat extremism following the Christchurch attack in March 2019, in which 51 people were killed.

EXTREMISM

Current prime minister, Chris Hipkins, said: “The Christchurch Call is a foreign policy priority for the government and Jacinda Ardern is uniquely placed to keep pushing forward with the goal of eliminating violent extremist content online. “Terrorist and violent extremist content online is a global issue, but for many in New Zealand it is also very personal.”

Commission for Countering Extremism publishes end of year report

The Commission for Countering Extremism has published its end of year report for 2022 to 2023. The document reviews the work of the Commission for Countering Extremism and its commissioner, Robin Simcox, over the past year.

Simcox was appointed to the role in July having previously serviced as interim commissioner since March 2021.

According to the report, the CCE has ramped up its engagement with government over the last 12 months while also ensuring it speaks to a broad range of external voices.

Also in November last year, Simcox gave evidence to the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee meeting on counter-terrorism and radicalisation in London, where he answered questions on a range of issues, including Prevent, the impact of COVID-19, prisons and the Online Safety Bill.

In October, the CCE held its inaugural Policy Week with virtual panel discussions to introduce government officials to the work of the CCE and showcase debate and discussion between leading academics and experts.

Throughout 2022, a portfolio of academic research products was commissioned focussing on: how blasphemy is viewed and presented by UK Islamists; how various fringe ideologies promote anti-government messaging online; incel networks; the evidence bases around radicalisation and deradicalisation; and the national research environment for the study of extremism in the UK.

Simcox also had conversations with the Welsh Government and leading counter-extremism academics and professionals on the challenges of extremism in Swansea and Cardiff.

Simcox said: “The challenges England and Wales face from extremist ideologies were once again laid bare in the last 12 months.

“We have seen an immigration centre firebombed, inter-community violence on the streets and attempts to silence the basic right to free expression. The fight against extremism is a relentless one and, in such moments, it can also feel like a hopeless one.

“However, these events should also serve to remind us all why counter-extremism matters. They should remind us that striving for a more harmonious society – one free from terrorist violence, sectarianism and the restriction of basic rights – is as worthy a goal as ever. And that pluralism, democracy and liberty not only need to be defended: they need to be championed.”

MANCHESTER ARENA ATTACK

Draft legislation for Martyn’s Law is set to be published in the spring. Figen Murray, campaigner and mother of Martyn Hett, whom the law is named after, explains what we can expect and what it has taken to get this far

PROGRESS ON MARTYN’S LAW

The journey with Martyn’s Law has so far been an incredibly long and arduous one. However, it feels like we are coming to the point of it being presented as a draft legislation this spring, followed by a few parliamentary processes until its sign off by the King.

MEETINGS

December proved to be a very positive month and brought two very important encounters as far as Martyn’s Law is concerned.

The first encounter was with the new home secretary, Suella Braverman and Tom Tugendhat, the security minister. Most meetings at the home office have a certain running order – Nick Aldworth, Brendan Cox and I usually meet at the café opposite the home office for a quick strategy meeting to plan how to proceed. 12th December was no different. At the time, we were very concerned about smaller venues being left unsecured. Ready to argue our corner and equipped with all the right words to say, we were pleasantly

surprised to be told that there would be two tiers, with the standard tier covering venues with 100+ capacity. We no longer needed to argue the case for smaller venues, and it was great news. During the same meeting, we were told that the government had decided to call the legislation Martyn’s Law. Two great pieces of news in one meeting was more than we could have wished for.

Three days later, the prime minister, Rishi Sunak, phoned me at home to reiterate that the government is giving the green light for the legislation and things will go ahead with the draft paper being presented by him in parliament in early spring. It was very poignant that he phoned me on Martyn’s 35th birthday. Very surreal, but such an apt birthday gift indeed! I felt humbled and grateful. The prime minister also requested during the phone conversation that we continue working with the home office on the finer detail of the legislation. And of course, behind the scenes, our meetings with the home office continue.

We obviously want to achieve the best outcome for Martyn’s Law and are negotiating some of the finer details of the legislation where there is still a discrepancy between the home office and our vision.

PURPOSE

For any new legislation to be effective, it needs to be fit for purpose. It needs to be practicable and proportionate. However, Martyn’s Law also needs teeth so that people adhere to the changes the legislation will inevitably bring with it. Whilst event organisers and venues will need to operate differently, Martyn’s Law does not intend to be something punitive. There will be a period of embedment as venues will need to adapt. Change is never straightforward or easy. Guidance and support, sometimes even bespoke support will be offered, especially for the standard tier. There is also

already an abundance of training, information and support available. Several things are already on offer to help people adapt to Martyn’s Law, including: free-of-charge ACT

E-learning training (ProtectUK app and website); CTSAs; a variety of learning tools and a lot of guidance (ProtectUK app and website); and working groups run by the home office at various locations around the UK. As well as this, fair and credible sanctions for breaches are being established; there is a promotion of a positive culture change across the various industries the legislation applies to and there is bespoke support and statutory guidance by the government. The two-tier system that is proposed covers the following.

STANDARD TIER

Applies to locations with a 100+ capacity. These venues can engage in simple training and information sharing, they can prepare by establishing with staff what to do in case of a terrorist attack (e.g. locking doors, knowing where to invacuate or evacuate colleagues and customers) and it recommends that lifesaving skills are acquired and administered in the immediate aftermath of an attack until emergency services arrive. My hope was that in this tier life saving-skills would be mandatory, but they recommend it.

ENHANCED TIER

The enhanced tier is for 800+ capacity venues. These venues should, on the whole, already know what is required, however the legislation crystallises what is required. The legislation stipulates that 800+ capacity venues need to undertake a thorough risk assessment and follow this up with a sound security plan. They may need to update their CCTV provision and ensure security training is up to the required standard, staff need to be able to offer life-saving training in case of an attack, and staff need to be familiar with new systems and processes.

PUBLIC AWARENESS

Martyn’s Law will of course never stop all terrorist attacks, but it will significantly reduce opportunities for them to strike and cause harm to the fabric of our society. However, I feel it would be very useful to educate the general public about the existence

of Martyn’s Law, enabling them to challenge poor security once the legislation is active. An educated public will result in a more resilient public. It is hoped that the government will be running public awareness campaigns sooner rather than later so that by the time the legislation kicks in properly, people are already expecting to be kept very safe when out and about.

I hope also that life-saving skills are taught more widely, ideally at school age so that the general public is better equipped to deal with life threatening emergencies where they, by default of their presence, become first responders. Martyn’s Law will bring about big changes to the way we live. People will inevitably notice increased security measures when out and about. However, it will hopefully mean that people will be attending events at venues, big and small, in the knowledge that they are kept much safer. Whilst I was initially criticised that Martyn’s Law will result in turning the UK into a police state, that is obviously not going to be the case. Being quite involved within the security sector, I know that Martyn’s Law will bring with it lots of opportunities, from training people better to producing equipment and security products that will become increasingly more sophisticated. Mass screening is already happening at some major venues, some in a test phase, others already actively using the technology. Feedback from the general public is that in many cases people were not even aware they were being security screened. Mass screening technology also speeds up the process of allowing people into venues, thus avoiding unnecessary queues.

SECURITY MEASURES IN TOWNS AND CITIES

Street furniture such as benches, planters, bins, lamp posts, bike stands, and many other items can be transformed to be effective counterterrorism measures. Security can become part of the landscape we live in without compromising the aesthetics of modern town and city living. And to that end, architects and town planners can find new ways of incorporating security measures into their streets and buildings without compromising the looks of either.

My biggest expectation though is that lives are saved through Martyn’s Law. L

I HOPE ALSO THAT LIFE-SAVING SKILLS ARE TAUGHT MORE WIDELY, IDEALLY AT SCHOOL AGE SO THAT THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS BETTER EQUIPPED TO DEAL WITH LIFE THREATENING EMERGENCIES WHERE THEY, BY DEFAULT OF THEIR PRESENCE, BECOME FIRST RESPONDERS

MISSED OPPORTUNITIES

As I review the implications of Sir John Saunders’ third and final part of his inquiry into what happened on that awful night, I first want to pay tribute to all those affected by it. I’ve met several, and a few have become friends. Each has reacted in their own way. Some have become ‘public property’ and others have grieved quietly in anonymity. There is no right or wrong way to deal with the events of that night, only the way that is right for them. All of them, are the best of us and we should hold them close to our hearts forever.

As always, I refuse to give this terrorist a name. He lived his life as a nobody and deserves to be treated as such in death, along with his perverted beliefs. The first duty of every state is to protect its citizens from harm. On 2 March 2023, Sir Ken McCallum, the director general of MI5, made a public apology, acknowledging that his organisation had failed to do that. It was a good apology and while I’ve never met him, it felt honest and genuine. I think people needed to hear that. Conversely, the press statement from counter-terrorism policing felt uncomfortably self-serving. 2 March was about upfront apologies, not about describing how righteous you were by visiting the glade of light before receiving His Honour’s report. Understandably people’s focus will be on the headlines and, I dare say, disproportionately focussed on ‘the secret stuff’, such is the way of things. But the genesis for this terrorist’s attack was seeded a decade or more before 2017. The first failing was owned by many organisations.

FAMILY

In 2010, the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre, an office within MI5, produced a regional report that highlighted that young men of Libyan heritage in the north-west were at risk of being radicalised by older men. Many of these older men had been fighting for extreme Islamist beliefs in Libya, and one such person was the father of the Arena terrorist, although the report did not name individuals.

I have seen many of these JTAC reports and while they are commonly marked as Secret (which automatically reduces their distribution), they are commonly so vanilla as to be less helpful than something you might see in a good Sunday paper centrespread or a Panorama exposé. Such reports become wallpaper, and nobody chooses to own them. The inquiry failed to find evidence of any action being taken. That doesn’t surprise me, I can’t even imagine that it was even seen by the right people, who might have had the vision to create actions from it. Counter-radicalisation starts in the community, it starts in education, and it starts in social society. However, in 2010, the Arab Spring had started, and the world was glad to see the back of despots and dictators. I suspect that few in authority felt that the terrorist’s father, who had been fighting Gaddafi, was on the wrong side, after all the West had been seeking Gaddafi’s demise for decades. Perhaps that tainted people’s thinking about the threats that the terrorist’s family posed. His father subsequently moved to Libya and the inquiry saw extensive evidence of familial association with fellow extremists, as well as public expressions of support for such aberrations as suicide bombings. There is a good deal in the report about the terrorist’s route to radicalisation that time and space does not allow for, but the conclusion is that he was almost certainly radicalised, in great part, by his family.

SUBJECTS OF INTEREST

From 2010 onwards, the inquiry found that the terrorist had multiple direct and indirect contacts with subjects of interest. It’s fair to say that of themselves none of these contacts seemed to be of significance. Witness J, a senior MI5 manager, presented evidence that said they didn’t consider the accumulation of such contacts, presented any likely increase in threat from the Arena terrorist. That might be true, but what seems to have been lacking is a coherent

Nick Aldworth of Risk2Resolution on volume 3 of the Manchester Arena Inquiry

MANCHESTER ARENA INQUIRY

inquisitiveness across the agencies.

After the first contact, there was an imprint of the terrorist in MI5’s records, and I still fail to understand why at every subsequent contact, someone didn’t look backwards and question why this name kept coming up. Witness J was questioned repeatedly about whether MI5 had sufficient resources for the task that it had across these years, and their repeated answer to that question was, yes. One of the principal contacts that the terrorist had, was with a friend who had been convicted of facilitating travel to Syria. He was known to have visited this person in prison but, what was not identified until after the attack, was the extent of contacts that had occurred between the two on a contraband phone held by the prisoner in prison. A failure by CT Policing to properly interrogate phone data, that might have identified this was extraordinary, in my opinion.

In 2015, the Arena terrorist briefly became a subject of interest in relation to a terrorist investigation, not focussed on him, as the principal. The investigation only lasted a matter of weeks before being closed. At this point, there was more than enough information on the terrorist to justify them being referred to the Prevent Scheme. However, Witness J reported that at this time, referrals were at the discretion of the investigation officer, in collaboration with the police. There is no record of whether such consideration was ever given, but the terrorist was certainly not referred.

PREVENT

I didn’t find Witness J to be a particularly believable witness. As Sir John subsequently highlighted, what you get from a corporate witness is sometimes different to what you get when you speak to front-line operatives. I’ll hazard a guess that if you submitted a FOIA request about how many closed SOI were referred to Prevent between 2010 and 2017, the answer will be few, if any. My experience of investigators is that it’s not in their culture to think about disruptions. They are too often focussed on preserving intelligence sources or pursuing best evidence by letting the case develop.

Again, Sir John was clear that the terrorist may not have engaged with Prevent, his brother didn’t, but research does show that terrorists are deterred when they believe they are being observed; more of that later.

INTELLIGENCE

In the open hearing, Witness J, referred to two pieces of intelligence that he wasn’t prepared to discuss. He stated that at the time of their receipt, they were not seen to be relevant, but after the May 2017 attack, it was obvious that they were highly relevant. These two pieces of information became the centre of the closed hearings considerations.

Sir John reported back on these two pieces of information and referred to them as Piece of Intelligence 1 and Piece of Intelligence 2.

The advantage of the closed hearing is that it allowed Sir John to hear evidence from more junior staff to Witness J. They presented a different perspective to the senior manager, with both having been considered as relevant at the point of receipt. Piece of intelligence 1 was not passed to the police, and Sir John offered criticism of this, but felt that it was unlikely to have affected the outcome.

Piece of intelligence 2, similarly was not passed to the police, even though the receiving officer believed it was of pressing national-security concern. Nor was the information progressed inside MI5 as swiftly, and with the right amount of context that it should have accompanied it.

Other officers did seek to progress the information, but by then it was too late.

Sir John concludes that had Piece of Intelligence 2 been processed in a timely and effective way, it might have led investigative actions being taken. These could have been surveilling the terrorist to a car in which explosive were contained, of undertaking a stop and search of them at the airport, when they returned from Libya only four days before the attack. The significance of this latter action is that it is more probable than not, that the terrorist had the bomb’s initiator switch on them when they came through the airport, having acquired it during their visit to Libya.

It was these omissions that Sir Ken apologised for.

Like so much of this inquiry, Part 3 is full of ifs, buts, and maybes, but without any certainty that any of them would have stopped the murder of 22 people on 22 May 2017. It is of course completely understandable that those who were so brutally affected by this attack, will see more certainty than perhaps the reports project. Similarly, there is little in this inquiry that says those missed opportunities wouldn’t have stopped the attack; history is written as it is, not how it could have been, and we must accept the reality of what happened and be brave enough to recognise it could happen again.

Like Andrew Roussos, the father of the attack’s youngest victim Saffie-Rose, I dislike the hackneyed phrase ‘lessons will be learned’. When a corporate leader downplays the significance of intelligence at a public inquiry, only to be corrected by their junior staff, you’re not left with confidence that the need for learning has even been recognised.

REFORM NEEDED

Sir John has been fearless in his pursuit of the truth, I worry about whether the intelligence services and the police will be as fearless in their pursuit of sustainable and enterprise-wide improvement. The scale of failure identified in Part 2 of the inquiry is such that I genuinely struggle to have confidence that the improvement that is needed, will reach every corner of policing in the UK. I do trust Sir John’s pursuit of improvement, and I hope that this retired judge’s reach, and involvement stays with us for a long time to come.

My critique of this part of the inquiry has been less detailed than other article I’ve written, the inner workings of MI5 are not my specialist subject, but there is also something about failure fatigue getting the better of me. If you’ve lived and breathed the last, almost, 6 years, as I have, you are probably as tired and as frustrated at having our collective failings laid bare, seemingly without any light at the end of the tunnel.

I don’t feel hope for the future as far as policing is concerned. It is so riddled with issues now, that it’s hard to see it being able to focus on much more than its existential existence. I suspect the same is true for some elements of the other emergency services. I don’t know about MI5 but, as I say above, senior leaders who deny problems, don’t generate confidence.

But there is a glimmer of hope in the private sector. The hope that Martyn’s Law will bring meaningful and sustainable reform to a sector that needs it. Martyn’s Law won’t stop terrorist attacks, but it is going to reduce their likelihood of success. That must be something to celebrate out of all this darkness. L

Remembering those who lost their lives: Alison Howe; Angelika Klis; Marcin Klis; Chloe Rutherford; Liam Curry; Courtney Boyle; Eilidh MacLeod; Elaine McIver; Georgina Bethany Callander; Jane Tweddle; John Atkinson; Kelly Brewster; Lisa Lees; Martyn Hakan Hett; Megan Joanne Hurley; Michelle Kiss; Nell Jones; Olivia Paige Campbell-Hardy; Philip Tron; Saffie-Rose Roussos; Sorrell Leczkowski; Wendy Fawell

FROM 2010 ONWARDS, THE INQUIRY FOUND THAT THE TERRORIST HAD MULTIPLE DIRECT AND INDIRECT CONTACTS WITH SUBJECTS OF INTEREST

William Shawcross’s much anticipated and previously leaked Independent Review of Prevent was published in February. While the government has said it is committed to implementing the findings of the review, there have been widespread criticisms

INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF PREVENTWHAT DID WE LEARN?

In his foreword to the review, Shawcross says: “No counter-terrorism programme will ever be able to shield us from all harm, but every society has a duty to try to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

“Prevent seeks to divert people away from being radicalised into terrorism and back towards lawful life within society. This is a far more humane approach than waiting until someone has crossed a criminal threshold and then bringing punitive action. In the last 20 years, Prevent has evolved and adapted as we have learned more about how to counter radicalisation effectively.”

He continues: “I found a programme that is broadly right in its objectives, admirable in its intentions and that fulfils many of its functions to good effect. However, there is room for improvement.

“Prevent must return to its core mission – countering all those ideologies that can lead people to committing or supporting acts of terrorism. This can only be done

if Prevent properly understands the nature of these ideologies and how they attract and suborn individuals.

“It is correct for Prevent to be increasingly concerned about the growing threat from the Extreme Right. But the facts clearly demonstrate that the most lethal threat in the last 20 years has come from Islamism, and this threat continues.”

The review was commissioned in 2019 – it is now 2023 – and since then, Shawcross claims six terrorist attacks have taken place in the UK: Fishmongers’ Hall (November 2019), Whitemoor Prison (January 2020), Streatham (February 2020), Reading (June 2020), Southend (October 2021), and Liverpool (November 2021). As Shawcross points out, “All these attacks were Islamist in nature.”

However, Shawcross does not mention the October 2022 Dover firebomb attack, which was led by right-wing ideology. This happened more than three months before publication of the review, so could have been included in his list.

DELAY

It is worth mentioning the delays to the review, which was published two-anda-half years after its original deadline.

The parliamentary Home Affairs Select Committee launched an inquiry into the government’s counterextremism strategy to examine Prevent in 2015. David Anderson, the UK’s independent reviewer of terrorism legislation at the time called for an independent review of Prevent. The committee’s final report also called for an independent review of the decision to place the Prevent duty on a statutory basis.

In 2018, Neil Basu, then deputy assistant commissioner in the Met, and others including Amnesty, Human Rights Watch and Liberty called for an independent review of Prevent.

In January 2019, security minister Ben Wallace said that the government would accept an amendment to the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Bill which committed the government to commission an independent review of Prevent. The bill became law in February that year and required the government to appoint a reviewer within six months (by 12 August 2019) and present the report and the government’s response within 18 months (by 12 August 2020).

Lord Carlile, a former reviewer of terrorism legislation, was appointed to the role on 12 August 2019. However, this appointment was criticised as he had provided independent oversight on a previous review of Prevent by the Home Office in 2011 and was a member of a Home Office committee responsible for enforcing the implementation of the Prevent duty by public bodies. Carlile himself said: “I admit I played a part in it, so I may be somewhat biased towards it.”

Legal action was launched by Rights Watch (UK) contesting his appointment. Carlile was dropped as reviewer in December 2019.

In April 2020, the government launched an “open” competition to recruit an independent reviewer. With the deadline for publication approaching, legislation was introduced and a new deadline of August 2021 was set. Shawcross was announced as the reviewer in January 2021 (five months after the original deadline for publication). Shawcross, a journalist and author, was previously chair of the Charity Commission and former director of the Henry Jackson Society think tank. However, this appointment was also criticised, when comments Shawcross made in 2012 as director of the Henry Jackson Society surfaced: “Europe and Islam is one of the greatest, most terrifying problems of our future.”

THE REVIEW WAS FINALLY PUBLISHED ON 8 FEBRUARY 2022

In February 2021, a group of human rights and civil liberties organisations including Amnesty and Liberty, announced they would boycott the review. In a statement, they said: “Shawcross’s appointment, given his well-known record and previous statements on Islam… brings into question the good faith of the government in establishing the review and fundamentally undermines its credibility.”

The deadline was pushed back again, with Shawcross set to deliver the review to parliament by the end of September 2021 and the report and the government’s response set to be published by 31st December 2021. Then on 24 December, the government announced another extension into 2022, with no final deadline given.

In February 2022, an alternative review known as The People’s Review of Prevent, which was supported by many of those who had boycotted the official review, found that Prevent “leads to the stigmatisation of certain communities as suspect and even dangerous, regardless of how carefully they seek to stay within the law”.

Then there were leaks. In May 2022, the Guardian reported that it had seen extracts of the report and that it would call for renewed focus on Islamist extremism and criticise the inclusion of far-right extremism. In September that year, the Telegraph reported that Suella Braverman (in her first short stint as Home Secretary) was planning an overhaul of Prevent based on Shawcross’s findings, again mentioning that the focus should be more on Islamist extremists and less on far-right extremism.

In December 2022, The Times reported that publication was delayed due to legal concerns over the naming of individuals and organisations accused of spreading Islamist extremism.

The review was finally published on 8 February 2022.

TESTIMONIES

Shawcross said: “Prevent has a noble ambition: stopping people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. I heard time and again about how Prevent saves lives, helps tackle the causes of radicalisation, prevents individuals from potentially carrying out an act of terrorism, and assists others to disengage from extremism. The government should be proud of Prevent’s positive impact in this regard. Prevent’s architecture is sophisticated and impressive. The caricature of Prevent as an

authoritarian and thinly veiled means of persecuting British Muslims is not only untrue, it is an insult to all those in the Prevent network doing such diligent work to stop individuals from being radicalised into terrorism.”

REQUIRED IMPROVEMENT

However, Shawcross also points out that often those who commit terrorist acts have previously been referred to Prevent and seeks to demonstrate how these failings may be addressed. Areas that require improvement are addressed: “Prevent must return to its overarching objective: to stop individuals from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism”.

Shawcross criticises the safeguarding of those referred to Prevent: “i.e. an emphasis on protecting those referred into Prevent from harm and addressing their personal vulnerabilities”.

He says: “Prevent too often bestows a status of victimhood on all who come into contact with it, confusing practitioners and officials as to Prevent’s fundamental purpose.”

The main conclusions of Shawcross’s review seem to be: “Prevent is not doing enough to counter non-violent Islamist extremism” and “Prevent has a double standard when dealing with the Extreme Right-Wing and Islamism”. By way of explanation, Shawcross claims that “Prevent takes an expansive approach to the Extreme Right-Wing, capturing a variety of influences that, at times, has been so broad it has included mildly controversial or provocative forms of mainstream, rightwing leaning commentary that have no meaningful connection to terrorism or radicalisation. However, with Islamism, Prevent tends to take a much narrower approach centred around proscribed organisations, ignoring the contribution of non-violent Islamist narratives and networks to terrorism.

The review lists 34 recommendations, ranging from exploring the prevalence of anti-semitism in Channel cases to moving away from vulnerability language. Shawcross recommends revising the first objective to “tackle the ideological causes of terrorism”; resetting thresholds to ensure proportionality across Prevent workstreams; improving the understanding of ‘blasphemy’ as part of the wider Islamist threat; and revising the Prevent Duty to ensure that the scheme meets its revised objectives.

Shawcross also recommends extending the Prevent Duty to immigration and asylum and job centres; lengthening the Prevent funding cycle to between two and five years; and improving E

THE GOVERNMENT HAS ACCEPTED THE RECOMMENDATIONS

 Prevent datasets by revising how referrals are categorised. Other recommendations include encouraging referrals from friends, family and community cohorts; investigating whether there is an imbalance in thresholds applied to Islamist and Extreme Right-Wing Channel cases; and developing a new training and induction package for all government and public sector staff working in counterextremism and counter-terrorism.

The government has accepted the recommendations. Home secretary Suella Braverman said: “I wholeheartedly accept all 34 recommendations and am committed to quickly delivering wholesale change to ensure we are taking every possible step to protect our country from the threat posed by terrorism.”

“Prevent will now ensure it focuses on the key threat of Islamist terrorism.

“As part of this more proportionate approach, we will also remain vigilant on emerging threats, including on the extreme right.

“This independent review has identified areas where real reform is required. This includes a need for Prevent to better understand Islamist ideology, which underpins the predominant terrorist threat facing the UK.”

RECEPTION

In the government’s official response to the Independent Review of Prevent, Braverman said: “The Independent Review, led by William Shawcross, is a vital part of ensuring Prevent is fit for purpose and agile enough to meet the threat we face. I would like to thank William Shawcross and his team for their hard work and dedication in completing such a thorough piece of work. In his report, the reviewer is clear that while Prevent is a crucial element in our armoury against terrorism, it needs to refocus on its core mission of stopping people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. This includes Prevent placing greater emphasis on tackling ideology and its radicalising effects, rather than attempting to go beyond its remit to address broader societal issues such as mental health.”

Counter Terrorism Policing’s National Prevent lead, Detective Chief Superintendent Maria Lovegrove said: “Counter Terrorism Policing has long held the view that our delivery of the Prevent Duty is one of the most important things we do in our mission to keep the public safe.

“We are pleased that William Shawcross has recognised the vital work Prevent does, particularly how the Government, Counter Terrorism Policing and our many partner agencies are tackling the radicalisation of young people and reducing the risk of violent extremism.

“The terrorist threats we face now are very different to when Prevent began, and a strong collective approach is absolutely vital if we are to keep up with this changing landscape and its growing dimensions.

“We will now work alongside the Home Office to respond to the recommendations, and continue our contribution to the Government’s refresh of the CONTEST strategy.”

CRITICISM

However, as we have already touched on, there are others who have voiced strong criticism. Ilyas Nagdee, Amnesty International UK’s racial justice director, said: “This review is riddled with biased thinking, errors, and plain anti-Muslim prejudicefrankly, the review has no legitimacy.

“William Shawcross’ history of bigoted comments on Muslims and Islam should have precluded his involvement in this ill-starred review in the first place.

“There’s mounting evidence that Prevent has specifically targeted Muslim communities and activists fighting for social justice and a host of crucial international issues – including topics like the climate crisis and the oppression of Palestinians.

“There is growing evidence that Prevent is having disastrous consequences for many people; eroding freedom of expression, clamping down on activism, creating a compliant generation and impacting on individual rights enshrined in law.

“A proper independent review of Prevent should have looked at the host of human rights violations that the programme has led to - but these have largely been passed over in silence.”

Ruth Ehrlich, head of policy and campaigns at Liberty, said: “We all want to live safe and flourishing lives, but Prevent is a fundamentally misconceived and oppressive policy that stops us from doing so. It embeds discrimination against Muslims in public services, erodes carefully cultivated relationships, and fosters a culture of fear and mistrust.

“In 2019, Liberty along with 16 other human rights and community groups made the decision to boycott the Shawcross review. Shawcross’s appointment as chair of the review, following his history of Islamophobic comments, made it clear that the Government did not intend to conduct an impartial review of the strategy, but instead sought to whitewash it.

“The publication of today’s long-delayed report – and the fact that its recommendations have already been accepted in full by the Government – shows that the Government is not committed to engaging meaningfully with Muslim communities but instead targeting them further. Muslim organisations are singled out for their criticisms of Prevent, despite the fact these concerns are shared widely among human rights organisations, as well as frontline workers. Instead of addressing the human rights issues raised by the Prevent duty, the review proposes to extend the reach of Prevent to more public sector bodies, entrenching its harmful effects.”

Zara Mohammed, the secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: “What we see in the so-called independent review is a rehashing of divisive talking points determined at stigmatising Muslims and Muslim civil society.”

INCEL IDEOLOGY

The Guardian recently reported that there has been a rise in Andrew Tate related cases referred to Prevent by schools, and there has also been criticism that Andrew Tate and other

misogynist and incel ideology has been overlooked by Shawcross.

Reports include incidents of verbal harassment of female teachers or pupils and outbursts which reflect Tate’s views.

One practitioner told the Guardian: “From September he’s just accelerated from nowhere to become a primary issue for schools that I have been dealing with. He obviously doesn’t fit within the Prevent sphere but incels do. He is parallel to them and has a crossover. When I’m in schools I find myself describing him, effectively, as toxic misogyny on steroids.

“It may have been the delayed effect off the back of young people talking more about him after he lost access to some of his social media platforms, but we started to see a rise before Christmas, in terms of schools telling us about pupils really challenging staff, such as cases where pupils have said to female teacher: ‘What do you know, you’re a woman, you can’t teach me anything. Your place is in the kitchen.’”

Shawcross concluded that the “Incel” culture was not a counter-terrorism matter, stating in the report: “However, the country’s deputy senior national co-ordinator for counterterrorism policy has said that Incel is not a terrorist ideology. I agree.”

ACROSS THE WORLD, INCEL IDEOLOGY HAS ALSO BEEN A FACTOR IN KILLINGS IN ISLA VISTA, CALIFORNIA, IN 2014; IN TORONTO IN 2018 AND 2020; AND IN TALLAHASSEE IN 2018

This is despite cases in the UK such as the terrorism conviction of Gabrielle Friel who “expressed affinity with and sympathy for one incelmotivated mass murderer” and the mass shooting in Plymouth, which was carried out by a man involved in incel ideology. The Plymouth attacker had been referred to Prevent. Across the world, incel ideology has also been a factor in killings in Isla Vista, California, in 2014; in Toronto in 2018 and 2020; and in Tallahassee in 2018. Dr Tim Squirrell of the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) told the Guardian: “Tate clearly represents a risk of radicalising young men into misogynist extremism. This kind of extremism is not currently considered for support under Prevent unless it is accompanied with a recognised ideology, e.g. incel/extreme rightwing/ Islamist. That’s a problem.”

Squirrell added: “Incel ideology isn’t the only misogynist ideology, or

even the one that causes the most damage in absolute terms, but claiming that it is not and shouldn’t be considered a terrorist threat is misguided.”

“It also cannot be dealt with under hate crime because – and you would hope that Shawcross would know this – misogyny isn’t included in hate crime legislation.”

CONCLUSION

Shawcross’s 192-page Independent Review of Prevent has faced a lot of hurdles, including delays, changes in reviewer, criticism and even legal action. The government and counter terror policing have committed to working on the recommendations. On the other hand, the review has been criticised by human rights groups, experts and others for not being independent, for focussing too much on Islamist extremism and not enough on far-right extremism. L

Who We Are

Our cutting-edge physical security solutions are trusted by a range of high-risk environments and businesses, from data centres and schools to transport hubs, manufacturing plants, sports stadiums, public spaces, and even critical national infrastructure (CNI) sites. Whether you're looking to safeguard your physical assets, protect your sensitive data, or ensure business continuity, CLD's products are your best defence against today's evolving threats.

THE SECURITY EVENT IS BACK AND BIGGER THAN EVER!

The Security Event (TSE), the UK’s

no.1 award-winning commercial, enterprise and domestic security event returns to the NEC Birmingham on 25-27 April 2023

networking opportunities across three spectacular days of innovation, collaboration and education.

THE UK’S LARGEST SHOWCASE OF EXHIBITORS AND SUPPORTERS

Representing a 61 per cent increase from its last edition in 2022, over 100 exhibitors will be newcomers. With many exclusive brands on board, attendees will be able to find all the latest and innovative solutions under one roof.

The Security Event (TSE), the UK’s no.1 award-winning commercial, enterprise and domestic security event returns to the NEC Birmingham on 25-27 April 2023. This year’s event is set to bring even more exclusive products and launches of the latest security products and solutions from some of the biggest and best names in the security industry. Also on offer is 50+ hours of accredited CPD content providing a comprehensive overview of the changing security landscape, new measures and regulations, and the practical knowhow for security installations and protection of people, places and assets. Attendees will experience live product demonstrations to get hands-on with the most cutting edge technologies, and can enjoy a host of unrivalled

Spearheaded and supported by an alliance of key global security brands, our founding partners – Anixer, Assa Abloy, Comelit, Honeywell, TDSI, Texecom, Tyco, Videcon – will be exhibiting some of their latest launches, products and projects which are set to revolutionise the sector and working practices. Event exclusives feature product showcases from leading security solution providers including: 3xLOGIC, AMAG Technology, Amalock, CAME, CIE, CQR, Dahuah, Deister Electronic, Dynamic CCTV, Fastlane, Fortus, Gallagher, Hanwha, Hikvision, Hytera, ICS Security Solutions, Pacom, Paxton, Quality Essential Distribution, Suprema, WEYTEC, ZK Teco, and many more.

The show has grown exponentially since its launch, now covering an incredible 16,000+ sqm, with over 250 exhibitors offering 10,000+ products and solutions, and joined by over 10,000 security installers, integrators, consultants, and end users.

DESIGNED BY THE INDUSTRY, FOR THE INDUSTRY

The Security Event was developed with keen input from major industry players to deliver a world-class exhibition dedicated to supporting UK security professionals. Our broad range of recognised event sponsors continues this collaborative approach to constructing an inclusive platform that provides outstanding value to exhibitors and visitors alike. Providing an unmissable opportunity to speak directly to the industry experts, the knowledge sharing and insight on offer will be invaluable to thousands of organisations to ensure competency within their workforce and compliance within their business.

NEW! PROFESSIONAL SECURITY OFFICER LIVE AND CONFERENCE Brand-new for April 2023, Professional Security Officer Live will be launching at The Security Event. With security E

 guarding proven to be one of the most effective measures to ensure the safety of people, property and assets, the show will recognise the vital role of front-line security professionals. Covering all security guarding needs for industrial and construction sites, corporate offices, major live events, shopping centres, airports, and many more; discover the latest technology, equipment and innovations to equip security guards and officers.

Running alongside Professional Security Officer Live, visitors are invited to attend our new Professional Security Officer Conference geared towards the latest policies, evolving demands, high-risk environments and challenges facing security guarding today. Featuring pivotal keynote speakers, case studies and presentations, attendees will boost their working knowledge and keep up-to-date with crucial security guarding issues, regulations and guidance at this must-see conference.

NEW! PHYSICAL SECURITY ZONE AND LIVE SECURITY TESTING

This exciting new zone will highlight the latest physical and perimeter security products and solutions and feature interactive demonstrations and workshops. Industry leaders will be on hand to give their expert advice and guidance on how to mitigate risk by deterring, delaying and detecting threats, intrusions or attacks. Keynote speakers and panellists will share their keen insights and experience on the latest trends and challenges in physical security.

In association with Element and supported by Secured by Design, Live Security Testing will also be taking place across the three days at 11am and 2pm. Attendees will experience first-hand

how different physical security solutions perform in real-world scenarios to highlight their effectiveness at mitigating serious threat. From surveillance systems and access control systems, to intrusion detection and asset management and protection, industry-leading products from major vendors will be put to the test live, helping visitors make informed decisions in selecting the best products for their own security needs.

DESIGNING OUT CRIME ZONE, IN ASSOCIATION WITH SECURED BY DESIGN

This specialised zone is dedicated to showcasing the latest innovative policing techniques and solutions for reducing criminal activity and enhancing security in public spaces to keep local communities safe. Constructed in collaboration with Secured by Design and Police Crime Prevention Initiatives, this highly-specialised feature within The Security Event is a unique opportunity to explore best practice, deep dive into new methods and procedures for tackling crime in the community, and highlight the increasing risk of cyber threats on the public.

Attendees will gain insight into the latest research into successful crime prevention through carefully considered public space design that discourages criminal activity and promotes safety, and get hands-on with a range of products and technologies which can be integrated into the design of community areas to both prevent and detect acts against public security.

SECURITY IN PRACTICE CONFERENCE, SPONSORED

BY MOTOROLA

The Security in Practice conference is dedicated to providing security

professionals with skills and knowledge for the protection of people and assets in today’s complex security environment. With a focus on providing practical, actionable information that security professionals can utilise in day-to-day work, the conference will cover a broad programme of topics: risk management, incident response, physical security, cyber security and more.

A key emphasis for the conference is real-world case studies, with best practice shared by security professionals who have successfully implemented security measures in a range of settings, including government, corporate, private sector, and non-profit organisations. Attendees can learn from the achievements and challenges of their peers, and gain valuable insight into how to effectively apply security measures in their own organisations.

TAILORED EDUCATION PROGRAMME AND SEMINAR SESSIONS

The Security Event 2023’s focussed seminar programme covers a range of topics crucial for security professionals to stay up-to-date on, including cyber security, physical security, risk management and emergency preparedness. Led by industry experts and key players sharing vital knowledge and real-world experience, attendees will learn essential skills and foresight to stay current in their field, and ready and able to effectively protect their organisations from threat.

With ever-evolving security regulation, guidance and law essential within the industry, The Security Event’s seminar programme will guarantee attendees abide to the highest industry standards, and apply new legislation and security requirements in their work.

CPD-ACCREDITED CONTENT

Our education programme features the latest case studies, workshops and seminar sessions to keep you up-to-date with the latest issues and developments in security. Free-toattend, our programme has been formally recognised as professional development where you can claim accredited CPD points with The Security Institute. Members of Chartered Security Professionals (CSyPs) and Fellows (FSyl) or guests looking to top up their CPD points should take advantage of our outstanding accredited CPD offerings. For 2023, we have partnered with CPDMe who will be available onsite to facilitate collection of certificates of attendance and assist guests in building their CPD points portfolio.

NEWLY ANNOUNCED! FIGEN MURRAY TO SHARE THE MARTYN’S LAW - PROTECT DUTY

On day one of the Security in Practice Conference, we will be joined by Figen Murray, the mother of Martyn Hett, who at 29 years was killed in the terrorist attack at the Manchester Arena in May 2017. Figen is the force behind Martyn’s Law, a proposed legislation that requires publicly accessible locations to bring in security measures against the threat of terrorism. Figen has also

been presented with the Outstanding Contribution Award at the 2020 Counter Terror Awards for her efforts in stopping terrorism.

HOSTED MEETING PROGRAMME AND UNRIVALLED NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

To meet the business needs of security professionals, The Security Event is bringing back CONNECT+ Live for another fantastic year of specialised networking. Matching the visitor’s buying requirements and needs with carefully curated exhibitors, the CONNECT+ Live team of matchmaking experts will fast-track access to key suppliers and integrators. Visitors can save valuable time and effort by making invaluable contacts through this outstanding and ever-popular hosted meeting programme.

UNRIVALLED NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

The Security Event will feature countless opportunities to connect with new and existing contacts, industry peers, business leaders and professional experts. Back by popular demand for 2023, The Security Event will host two networking reception drinks from 4:30pm on days 1 and 2 of the show. Unwind and meet industry peers and professionals, enjoy a drink with friends

SPX CommTech –A smarter, more secure future for all

SPX CommTech, compromising TCI and Enterprise Control Systems (ECS), innovates specialised technologies within the Radio Frequency (RF) spectrum to ensure a smarter, more secure future for all.

BLACKTALON is a scalable Counter-UAS solution that detects, tracks and defeats hostile UAS, and is proven in the UK and internationally, including in conflict across Eastern Europe. CommTech’s Tactical Data Link portfolio allows intelligence gathering agencies, special forces, police, emergency response, and security teams to securely and reliably transfer video and data between enabled-aircraft and ground

teams over long distances for airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR). Combining decades of technology innovation and expertise with agile and collaborative teams, SPX CommTech delivers sustainable and exceptional results to customers and partners across the globe and in civilian, law enforcement, intelligence and defence environments.

For more information visit stand D61 at Security & Policing L

FURTHER INFORMATION

www.tcibr.com

www.enterprisecontrol.co.uk

and colleagues, and make those vital new connections in an informal and affable setting.

ONE PASS, SIX SHOWS, ONE UNMISSABLE EVENT

As a key part of The Safety & Security Series, The Security Event, alongside Professional Security Officer Live, will again be uniquely co-located with four other industry-leading events: The Fire Safety Event, The Health & Safety Event, The Workplace Event and National Cyber Security Show. With just one registration, attendees can cover the entire buying chain of the safety and security of people, property and assets. This series of shows is guaranteed the biggest of their kind in the UK, with over 33,000 SQM of total floor space, 800+ exhibitors, and one unmissable opportunity.

We also offer FREE PARKING for all visitors, saving you time and money, and giving you the flexibility to travel safely to and from the event across the full three days of the show. L

For more information and to register for your FREE pass visit the website below.

Surveillance and security solutions

Inspectahire is a leading distributor of surveillance technology and end-toend security solutions. Our technology solutions include optical and thermal security cameras which can be complimented by radar systems linked by command and control software. These are suitable for airports and harbours as well as large industrial complexes. We are proud to be official distributors for Videray & Teledyne FLIR. We will be showing the latest versions of the Videray X-ray back scatter imagers and imaging panels – the Videray Ultra and the NDT.  To compliment the Videray

we can provide small portable Raman spectrometers for analysing any powders or liquids found during searches.  Sesys rapid deployment self contained IP camera solution will also be on show  We help defence, government, travel, oil and gas, energy, manufacturing, shipping and engineering industries manage and report on safety threats and assets across multiple environments quickly, safely, and cost effectively. L

Event organisers have a Corporate Social Responsibility to take immediate action to protect members of the public, leading hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM) experts have warned

“DO WHAT’S RIGHT TO PROTECT FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS,” WARN HVM EXPERTS

While the Martyn’s Law legislation may not be in force for months, organisers are being strongly advised to review their HVM measures immediately and make the necessary improvements right away, instead of waiting for the law to change.

“The legislation may not be introduced for some time yet, but that doesn’t mean event organisers should wait until then before making vital improvements to their event security practices,” said Niall Griffin, of Hardstaff Barriers, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of HVM solutions.

“It’s about doing what’s right to protect fellow human beings, rather than waiting until the last possible moment before making improvements, because the law tells you to,” continued Mr Griffin.

His warnings are echoed in the company’s White Paper - ‘Time to Act Now: Hostile Vehicle Mitigation and the Responsibilities Facing Event Organisers’ - published earlier this year.

The guidance document encourages event organisers to “do the right thing” and consider their corporate social responsibility, as well as their ethical and moral duty above all else, rather than wait for the impending legislation to come into force.

Hardstaff Barriers, part of Hill and Smith Infrastructure, is responsible for delivering the Government’s National Barrier Asset (NBA) framework and employs leading experts in the field.

Mr Griffin, a former police officer, is one of less than 300 Chartered Security Professionals on the Register in the UK, making him one of the most knowledgeable and qualified specialists working in the hostile vehicle mitigation industry. He added: “Anyone who attends an event – from a small gathering to a sports game attended by thousands of spectators – has the right to be safe and protected. Nothing can be more important than this.

“Organisers have a duty to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of all attendees and those working within their event environment.

“This includes the grey area immediately outside the venue where people are often held for search and screening or ticket checks. The reality is they would not be in that area if they were not attending the event.”

THE NEED FOR MARTYN’S LAW

There is currently no legislative requirement for organisations or venues to consider E

 or employ security measures at the vast majority of public places.

Martyn’s Law is new legislation announced by the Prime Minister in December 2022.

The new law will improve the safety of venues and publicly accessible spaces and will see people better protected against terrorist attacks.

Previously known as Protect Duty, it was established in honour of Martyn Hett, one of the 22 victims tragically killed in a terrorist attack at the Manchester Arena in May 2017.

More than 800 other people received physical or psychological injuries in the explosion, which occurred after an Ariana Grande concert.

Protect Duty proposes five key requirements:

1. A requirement that spaces and places to which the public have access engage with freely available counterterrorism advice and training.

2. A requirement for those places to conduct vulnerability assessments of their operating places and spaces.

3. A requirement for those places to have a mitigation plan for the risks created by the vulnerabilities.

4. A requirement for those places to have a counter-terrorism plan.

5. A requirement for local authorities to plan for the threat of terrorism.

Mr Griffin added: “What is clear is that we do not need to wait for Martyn’s Law to become law before acting. We already have legislation and guidance, which should be sufficient for event organisers to act now to ensure the safety of those working or attending their event in any publicly accessible space.”

A publicly accessible location is defined as ‘any place to which the public or any section of the public has access, on payment or otherwise, as of right or by virtue of express or implied permission.’

“IT WON’T HAPPEN TO ME”

Most organisations embrace Corporate Social Responsibility and recognise that there must be accountability when things go wrong as a direct result of their action, or inaction.

But research by psychologists over the years has shown that humans generally possess an ‘optimistic

bias.’ It is commonly defined as the mistaken belief that one’s chances of experiencing a negative event are lower than that of others.

More often than not, people believe ‘it won’t happen to me.’ Nobody directly involved in a terrorist or accidental incident ever expected it to happen. But clearly, these incidents do happen and they have to affect somebody.

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

In recent years, the All England Lawn Tennis Club has made a number of proactive steps to increase protection for fans visiting the Wimbledon Championships. HVM barriers are now routinely installed outside the venue as part of “enhanced measures” to provide “visible physical security” at the event.

Tournament organisers say there has been a “proportional uplift” in measures introduced in past years. Many of these measures go over and above the legal requirements and have been implemented because it was the right thing to do.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SEEKING EXPERT ADVICE

When selecting an HVM solution, it is essential to seek the expert advice of an industry specialist. This expert can advise on the most appropriate HVM solution, based on the specific needs of the event and the likely risks.

Many different HVM systems are available, including portable, lightweight and movable barriers - often used at open air events to limit the potential of hostile or errant vehicles interacting with pedestrians or event attendees.

Others are heavy surface-mounted vehicle gates, pedestrian portals or access points - often used where protection from vehicles is required and where legitimate access for delivery or emergency response is still required. Linear HVM barriers are often utilised to prevent the vehicle pedestrian interaction, where queues form adjacent to live traffic flow, for instance.

INVEST IN TRAINING

It is vital to ensure that every team member responsible for managing the

MANY DIFFERENT HVM SYSTEMS ARE AVAILABLE, INCLUDING PORTABLE, LIGHTWEIGHT AND MOVABLE BARRIERS

event and the public in attendance, should be properly trained to handle situations if they do go wrong. These individuals have a huge responsibility in the event of an incident. It is only fair to them, and to the people they have a duty to support in the event of an incident, that they are properly equipped to respond.

BECOME AN HVM CHAMPION

“Nothing can be more important than keeping people safe, so be proactive, proud and become a champion for event security,” added Mr Griffin.

“Taking these proactive steps well before the introduction of Martyn’s Law will not only put public safety at the top of your priority list, but it will also tell the world how seriously you take this vital issue.

“What could be a better boost for your event’s reputation, than publicly demonstrating your commitment to keeping people safe?”

There is a range of information available in the public domain to support event organisers, wherever they are on their event security journey. L

FURTHER INFORMATION

Download a free copy of Hardstaff Barriers’ White Paper ‘Time to Act

Now: Hostile Vehicle Mitigation and the Responsibilities Facing Event Organisers’ here: https://www.hardstaffbarriers.com/ download-the-protectdutywhitepaper/.

CTX

COMPREHENSION, IDENTIFICATION, INTERVENTION AND REACTION

TThe event encourages the development of new ideas and discussion of innovative strategies to combat the latest threats facing the UK and its partners. The main theme of CTX this year is “Comprehension, Identification, Intervention & Reaction - Key elements to protecting our way of life from terrorism & extremism.” In a change to the format of previous years, the content programme this year will be driven by a series of panel discussions, conversations around the key areas affecting our national security – in the physical, online and emotional spaces – led by senior leaders from Policing (including CTP, BTP and MPS), government, regulatory bodies, P/CVE specialists, academics, victims of terrorist attacks, leading campaigners and charitable organisations, all working towards a common cause. Our expert panellists will share their knowledge and experiences of

understanding what the root causes of terrorism and extremism are – what causes people to go down that dark, treacherous path? How do we identify the signs of radicalisation and extremism, what are the tools and platforms being used to corrupt the young, the vulnerable and those suffering from mental illnesses? How do we stop this – through preventative education, compassion, reasonable regulation, and legislation? Or by imposing an Orwellian state of surveillance, oppressive legislation, restrictive regulation and closed borders? Whose responsibility is this? Who is accountable for all of this? How do we react as individuals, organisations, communities, and society at large – and is there more that we can do to be better prepared, more organised and have greater resilience to any future events? We have (on 2nd March) had the third volume of the Manchester Arena Inquiry by Sir John Saunders, into the tragic events of 22nd May 2017, when a ‘home-radicalised’

– The Counter Terror Expo returns to ExCeL London on 17th & 18th May to unite professionals from industry, infrastructure, government and policing to explore the latest counter-terrorism technologies and solutions

terrorist detonated an IED at the Ariana Grande concert, killing 22 innocents, mostly children, injuring hundreds and permanently traumatising the family, friends, and communities of the victims.

Sir John’s reports did not pull any punches. Indeed, he has pointed the finger directly at the communication, organisation and effectiveness of, and between, the emergency services involved on that fateful night, as well as the venue owners’ security staff and training (or lack thereof) and ultimately at the security services, who failed to recognise their own red flags.

The news that Martyn’s Law will be put before Parliament as a draft bill this Spring, can only be welcomed with open arms – and a great deal of gratitude to Figen Murray, Nick Aldworth and others, who have campaigned relentlessly for the best part of the last six years to get legislation enacted that ensures the training of staff, protection of venues and other Publicly Accessible Locations (PALs) is counter-terrorism compliant – and that there is accountability. Six years. Say that out loud, so you can get a better perspective of it. Six years, and we have only just reached this stage.

The Independent Review of Prevent (published on 8th February) – the government’s programme to prevent Islamist radicalisation and right-wing extremism – led by William Shawcross CVO, has caused much debate, some controversy and created plenty of headlines. It has been, unconventionally, fully endorsed in its entirety by the Home Office. We will be looking at this very closely in the opening panel discussion of the first day.

On 7th March, Jonathan Hall

KC’s fourth annual report on the operation of the UK’s counterterrorism legislation was published. It closely examined the extent that the UK’s counter-terrorism legislation measures up to the challenges posed by terrorist activity online. This, alongside the regulatory issues of the incoming Online Safety Bill, will be discussed in the second panel discussion of the opening day. There will be plenty to debate and discussions to be involved in. The programme over the two days of CTX will look like this:

DAY ONE: UNDERSTANDING

TERRORISM AND EXTREMISM

How to prevent, prepare & respond. A series of four panel discussions

looking at the topics of: Radicalisation & Extremism: A new direction, following the Prevent review?; Tackling terrorist exploitation of the internet: The need for Counter Measures and the effectiveness of regulation; Leadership during Critical times; and Public-Private Partnerships: How collaboration builds resilience and develops response-driven innovation.

DAY TWO: THE PEOPLE & SKILLS CONFERENCE: PREPARE, RESPOND, RECOVER. HOW BUILDING THE CYCLE OF RESILIENCE CAN SAVE LIVES

A series of three panel discussions looking at the key areas of: Prepare: How a well-informed and properly trained public can be effective ‘zero responders’; Respond: Public and Organisational response in the event of a terrorist attack; and Recover and reset: Building resilience and applying knowledge from lessons learnt.

LIVE DEMONSTRATIONS

In addition to these stimulating discussions, there will also be live demonstrations by the armed response teams of British Transport Police, covering simulated scenarios of: suspicious bag clearance; control and disarming of an individual armed threat, and an exclusive demonstration from the BTP SRU. These will run on the main exhibition floor, in the BTP area – timings are available on the CTX website.

The key partnership for CTX this year is with TINYg – the Global Terrorism Information Network – who are a not-for-profit, knowledge-sharing organisation, whose Single Unifying Purpose is ‘To maintain an up-to-date understanding of global terrorism by bringing together subject matter experts, in a trusted environment, in order to increase our members’ awareness of threat and allow them to develop their capability to prepare and respond’. You’ll be able to hear from TINYg members in the conference programme and engage with them at their stand on main exhibition floor.

To reinforce the messages that we are covering at CTX this year, we have chosen to support two charities that are the embodiment of our Prepare, Respond, Recover themes. CitizenAID – The Charity Empowering the Public to Save Lives, and the National Emergencies Trust – the Nationwide Disaster Charity. Please engage with them at their

stands on the main exhibition floor to see how you and your organisation can support their vital work. CTX is co-located, and closely aligned, with FEE – Forensics Europe Expo. The main theme and programme for FEE this year compliments the CTX content, and will address these themes: Modernising Forensic Investigations. The conference will be split into two main streams: Beyond the Forensic Laboratory and Digital Forensics.

DAY ONE - DATA AND EVIDENCE COLLECTION

Day one will be exploring the concepts and technologies driving enhanced data collection: Digital forensics and the extraction of evidence; Overcoming existing limitations within the physical forensics space; and Emerging technologies pushing the existing boundaries of collection.

DAY TWO - DATA AND EVIDENCE ANALYSIS

Day two will be examining the processes and technologies behind analysing collected information: Accreditation and standards for best practice; Information sharing and a collaborative approach to investigations; and Managing information overload and clutter.

JOIN US

Come and join us at CTX & FEE this year to learn, engage and form the future of preventative, resilient national security and reactive forensic innovation. Register today at: https://ctexpo.co.uk

Connect with CTX on LinkedIn here

Follow us on Twitter here

Connect with FEE on LinkedIn here

Follow FEE on Twitter here

Entrance to both CTX and FEE is free, subject to meeting our registration criteria, physical security clearance on the day and production of photo ID on entrance and clearance of our security protocols. We look forward to welcoming you to CTX & FEE in May. L

THE NEWS THAT MARTYN’S LAW WILL BE PUT BEFORE PARLIAMENT AS A DRAFT BILL THIS SPRING, CAN ONLY BE WELCOMED WITH OPEN ARMS

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Many police forces and other security services have been using facial recognition technology for a while now. However, it is a hotly debated topic with privacy concerns and struggles to win over the public

ENSURING LEGITIMACY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

In February, Professor Fraser Sampson, the biometrics and surveillance camera commissioner, published his annual report in which he mentioned facial recognition technology.

The Commissioner is responsible for overseeing police use of DNA and fingerprints in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and for encouraging the proper use of public space surveillance cameras.

The report, which was submitted to the Home Secretary in November, sets out Professor Sampson’s findings in relation to his statutory responsibilities, and other observations about the use of biometrics and overt surveillance. Among other topics, it also covers facial recognition technology.

Professor Sampson said: “The areas of biometrics and surveillance are becoming both increasingly important and increasingly inter-related. In recent years we have seen an explosion of surveillance technology in the public and private realms, with devices such as drones and body worn video, dashcams and smart doorbells. At the same time, there have been enormous advances in the power of AI to exploit the vast amount of surveillance data now being produced.

“I believe that many of the issues raised in my report show that we urgently need to wake up to the opportunities presented, and the threats posed by, the explosion of capability in AI-driven biometric surveillance. If we fail, we risk missing out on the potential benefits it can offer and exposing ourselves to the potential dangers it poses.

“Now more than ever, we need a clear, comprehensive and coherent framework to ensure proper regulation and accountability in these crucial areas.”

LEGISLATION

Sampson notes that the police are using biometric surveillance technology such as facial recognition, though there remains uncertainty around the regulatory framework for ensuring legitimacy and accountability if and when they do use such technology. He outlines the two sides to the debate: “Biometric surveillance technologies can undoubtedly be intrusive to privacy and raise other human rights considerations, but there is no question that they can also be powerful weapons in the fight against serious crime and safeguard other fundamental rights such as the right to E

FACIAL RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY

 life and freedom from degrading or inhumane treatment.” This debate will likely continue for a long time, with supporters of both sides strongly arguing their case and competing for support among the public.

Sampson claims that the extent to which the public will tolerate facial recognition will rely on whether or not they believe that measures are in place to make sure that the technology is used lawfully and responsibly.

Parliament is considering legislation for reform and Sampson points out the need to address questions surrounding the legitimate role for new technology such as facial recognition in biometric surveillance by the police and law enforcement: “The ramifications of AI-driven facial recognition in policing and law enforcement are [ … ] profound enough to be taken seriously and close enough to require our immediate attention.”

CONCERNS

The revised Surveillance Camera Code of Practice was approved by Parliament in January 2022 and addresses the use of public space surveillance, including the use of facial recognition technology, by the police and local authorities. Sampson has advised how the code of conduct can be useful if adopted across government departments to address some of the concerns about surveillance companies and their practices.

In his report, Sampson points out some concerns that have been raised around the use of facial recognition technology, including the potential for racial and gender bias; accuracy of the technology; a need for greater transparency and governance in the use of LFR; accuracy of reporting of false positives in the media; proportionality arguments particularly with reference to the rate of ‘success’ compared to the number of faces scanned; and the legal basis for deployment of the technology together with the need for independent authorisation. There is also a concern around whether the technology can be hacked for nefarious purposes.

Much discussion has also been had around where the technology comes from. China is the world’s leading exporter of the technology and there is concern that foreign governments may have access to the data generated by the technology that is exported.

A recent survey by the commissioner found that 18 of the 39 police forces who responded say that their external camera systems use equipment about which there have been security or ethical concerns (including Dahua, Hikvision, Honeywell and Huawei, and Nuuo) and at least 24 respondents say that their internal camera systems use equipment about which

IN SOUTH AFRICA, SIX MEN WERE ARRESTED FOR A SERIES OF HEISTS AFTER BEING IDENTIFIED THROUGH FACIAL RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY

there have been security or ethical concerns (including Dahua, Hikvision, Honeywell and Huawei, and Nuuo).

Sampson said: “It is abundantly clear from this detailed analysis of the survey results that the police estate in the UK is shot through with Chinese surveillance cameras. It is also clear that the forces deploying this equipment are generally aware that there are security and ethical concerns about the companies that supply their kit.

“There has been a lot in the news in recent days about how concerned we should be about Chinese spy balloons 60,000 feet up in the sky. I do not understand why we are not at least as concerned about the Chinese cameras 6 feet above our head in the street and elsewhere.

“Parliament has already acted to curtail the use of equipment made by several Chinese manufacturers from some areas of public life where security is key. Myself and others have been saying for some time that we should, both for security and ethical reasons, really be asking ourselves whether it is ever appropriate for public bodies to use equipment made by companies with such serious questions hanging over them.”

CRITICISMS

There are a few well-publicised cases where the use of facial recognition technology has been criticised. For example, speaking to the BBC, Clearview CEO Hoan Ton-That revealed that the company has run nearly a million searches for US police. The founder also revealed that Clearview now has 30bn images scraped from platforms such as Facebook, which have been taken without users’ permissions. The company has been fined several times in Europe and Australia for breaches of privacy. The technology allows a law enforcement customer to upload a photo of a face and then find matches in a database of billions of images it has collected.

The company is banned from selling its services to most US companies, after being taken to court in Illinois for breaking privacy law. However, this ban does not apply to the police. Facial recognition technology is also being used by some governments to curb dissent and target protesters. A Reuters review of more than 2,000 court cases in Russia, has revealed how the technology is being used to identify opponents of the regime.

In September, the Iranian government announced that it was planning to use facial recognition technology on public transport to identify women who are not complying laws on wearing the hijab.

This month, it was announced that the Iranian government had started to install cameras to identify women not wearing the hijab.

In Scotland, a council has been criticised by data watchdog the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) for using facial recognition technology in nine schools.

SUCCESSFUL USE CASES

On the other hand, there are examples of where the technology has been used to apprehend criminals.

In South Africa, six men were arrested for a series of heists after being identified through facial recognition technology. The suspects were found after facial recognition analysis was carried out on the CCTV footage from the stores they robbed.

This example adds to the argument that facial recognition technology can help keep the public safe.

In Australia, a recent survey has found that 72 per cent of the 4000 people asked want more facial recognition at airports to speed up the customs process. Adam Schwab, CEO and cofounder of Luxury Escapes, which carried out the research, told news.com.au: “Facial recognition technology is just one of many ways Australian travellers, and the travel industry, continue to look for ways to make travel safer, more efficient and less stressful for all.”

In airports, use of facial recognition technology is twice as fast as fingerprint scanning, and is also not subject to passenger error. Facial recognition technology can be used to search for missing people. In 2020, Indian police used a facial recognition app to reunite thousands of missing and trafficked children with their families. Thousands of children go missing every year and many are trafficked to work in eateries, handicraft industries, brick kilns, factories or into begging and brothels. The technology was used to reunite more than 1500 children with their families. It has even been used in casinos to bar entry to gamblers who have requested to be excluded.

JUSTIFICATION

Sampson argues that for the use of facial recognition technology to be

justified, it needs to be proportionate. i.e. we need to know how many people have been arrested as a result of their use, compared to how many people have been scanned.

The National Physical Laboratory recently published independent research into the Met’s deployment of facial recognition

The study, which was entitled ‘Facial Recognition Technology in Law Enforcement’, tested the accuracy, in operational conditions, of the algorithm used by the Met in terms of different demographics.

The research found that there are settings the algorithm can be operated at where there is no statistical significance between demographic performance.

It was also found that when used at a threshold setting of 0.6 or above, correct matches (True Positive Identification Rate) were 89 per cent. The incorrect match rate (False Positive Identification Rate) was 0.017 per cent. The chance of a false match therefore, is just 1 in 6000 people walking past the camera.

When used at a threshold setting of 0.6 or above, any differences in matches across groups were not statistically significantmeaning performance was the same across race and gender.

With regards to Retrospective Facial Recognition, the true positive

identification rate for high quality images was 100 per cent.

The Met says it will use “Facial Recognition Technology as a first, but significant, step towards precise community-based crime fighting.”

According to the Met: “Live Facial Recognition (LFR) enables us to be more focussed in our approach to tackle crime, including robbery and violence against women and girls.”

Lindsey Chiswick, director of intelligence for the Met said: “Live Facial Recognition technology is a precise community crime fighting tool. Led by intelligence, we place our effort where it is likely to have the greatest effect. It enables us to be more focused in our approach to tackle crime, including robbery and violence against women and girls.

“This is a significant report for policing, as it is the first time we have had independent scientific evidence to advise us on the accuracy and any demographic differences of our Facial Recognition Technology.

“We commissioned the work so we could get a better understanding of

our facial recognition technology, and this scientific analysis has given us a greater insight into its performance for future deployments.

“We know that at the setting we have been using it, the performance is the same across race and gender and the chance of a false match is just 1 in 6000 people who pass the camera. All matches are manually reviewed by an officer. If the officer thinks it is a match, a conversation will follow to check.

“The study was large enough to ensure any demographic differences would be seen. However, he has also been able to extrapolate these figures to reflect results more representative of watch list size for previous LFR deployments.”

While there are some success stories, it is clear there is still a long way to go to gain the public’s trust on the use of facial recognition technology. However, there are ways to do this, and it involves being open, legislating, justifying and managing the technology. Any use needs to be lawful, justified and responsible. L

“IT ENABLES US TO BE MORE FOCUSED IN OUR APPROACH TO TACKLE CRIME, INCLUDING ROBBERY AND VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS”

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EVOLVING SECURITY THROUGH INNOVATION AT INTERNATIONAL SECURITY EXPO 2023

New threats and patterns continue to emerge at a blistering rate, and with their increasing frequency and sophistication, innovation in the security industry is more important than ever to overcome them. This makes the 2023 edition of International Security Expo, returning to Olympia London on 26-27 September 2023, more essential than ever

Providing the critical link between Government and the entire enduser community, International Security Expo enables security professionals from around the globe to strengthen their relationships and ensure they are adequately prepared to take on current and future challenges. For security buyers, specifiers and decision makers, the show floor is the perfect place to seek out the latest security innovations and next generation

security solutions. Thousands of vetted international visitors from Government, CNI, major events, transport, law enforcement, and many other sectors will come together to ensure they are ready to face whatever security challenges are thrown at them. They will join more than 350 international companies that will spotlight their latest innovative products and solutions. This includes the likes of Rohde and Schwarz GmbH, Astrophysics, HS

Security, Apstec Systems, Mitie Security, Audax Global Solutions, Gallagher Security and Pitagone. With product categories ranging from Screening and Scanning; CCTV and Surveillance; Perimeter Protection; Hostile Vehicle Mitigation; Risk, Resilience and Compliance; Drone and Counter UAV; and Access Control and Biometrics, attendees are guaranteed to find the solutions to their challenges as well as being inspired by a hotbed of product launches, revealed live at the show.

SPECIALIST ZONES OFFER SECTOR-SPECIFIC DEEP DIVES

Across specialist zones on the show floor, attendees will be able to source the latest products and gain insights relevant to their sector. With a central position, and highlighting the long history of UK Government support for E

PROTECTION FROM EVERY SIDE

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 the event, the Government Zone will return to host the likes of Joint Security and Resilience Centre (JSaRC), Counter Terror Policing, British Transport Police, National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO), UK Defence & Security Exports (UKDSE), Border Force and Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA). It provides a vital meeting point for visitors to network and discover the latest projects and plans from UK Government departments, organisations, and agencies while attracting the most senior and influential thought leaders to the event. In 2022, Minister of State for Security, RT Hon Tom Tugendhat MP, chose International Security Expo as the location for his first industry engagement just weeks after taking up the role, and has been invited to open the event again this September. This involved a keynote where he celebrated the industry working together so quickly and effectively in ensuring the security operation surrounding Her Majesty the Queen’s funeral was a success, alongside product demonstrations from select exhibitors and his first meeting with Figen Murray MBE to discuss Martyn’s Law.

The Perimeter Protection Zone, in association with LPCB and supported by PSSA, will feature the latest products from fencing, barriers, bollards, video surveillance and intruder detection. Whilst the popular LPCB Live Testing Lab returns to demonstrate LPCBaccredited products put through vigorous testing live at the show by a team of forced entry experts.

Returning this year is the International Risk & Resilience Zone, highlighting the fundamental aspects of Resilience, Prevention, Response and Recovery. It will shine a spotlight on the latest products and solutions that will help ensure business continuity in a rapidly changing world and help you remain resilient during a crisis and rebuild. Whilst the Drone & Counter-UAV Zone

in partnership with DPAC (the Drone Platform and Counter Drone Group) will welcome world-leading suppliers of drone and counter-UAV capabilities ready to tackle every security threat.

Elsewhere the Counter Threat Pavilion, in partnership with CBRN-UK and Counter-EO-UK, will showcase these key industry sectors; the Physical Security & Resilience Pavilion which will highlight ADS members who are engaged in or have an interest in all aspects of physical security; whilst the returning Security in Complex Environments Group (SCEG) Pavilion will bring together security and risk companies committed to the development and implementation of international standards for the private security and crisis management sector.

GAIN EXCLUSIVE INSIGHTS FROM INDUSTRY-RENOWNED EXPERTS

Pulling in the crowds, the event’s free-ofcharge and CPD-certified educational programme will once again deliver the latest insights, analysis and invaluable perspectives from world-leading security, police and Government experts who will come together to discuss mitigation strategies, best practices and high-level policy. Three dedicated theatres will bring world-renowned speakers and acclaimed global security leaders to discuss the latest security topics, threats and challenges.

Returning to focus on the changing nature of serious and organised crime and terrorism, the Global Counter Terror & Serious and Organised Crime Summit, in partnership with Counter Terror Business, will address the most prevalent terror trends currently affecting UK Counter Terror capabilities. Expert strategic insights and policy updates from high-level global keynote speakers will deliver an unmissable, top-level content programme.

The draft of Martyn’s Law, the new Protect Duty, is expected to have

been published before International Security Expo 2023 takes place, making the event the first opportunity for the policy-makers to present their thinking, as the Parliamentary process to turn it into legislation begins.

The Homeland Security Group with its Publicly Accessible Locations (PALs) department, as well as Counter Terror Police UK, the National Counter Terror Security Office (NaCTSO) and the Joint Security and Resilience Centre (JSaRC), are all close partners for this Summit and will give insights allowing attendees to get the deepest understanding of the thinking behind the bill.

Elsewhere on this high-level Summit, speakers will explore how terror continues to morph, including gaining an understanding of ecoterrorism, extreme right-wing terror and developments in Islamist terror, as well as the potential coming from the war in Ukraine. This will include the return of the popular Realities of Terror thread which provides a vital perspective that’s often less considered. This will act as a bridge to look at Serious and Organised Crime with a major focus on people trafficking as well as drug and weapon smuggling, alongside the international fight to deal with Organised Crime gangs. Key international organisations and agencies will all add insights and thoughts.

Another key area often overlooked is the espionage threat, whether it be from hostile states or industrial espionage, the reality of the threats and how to protect against them will be examined.

The International Security Conference will look at the practical implementation of new policies and how these should be applied to different areas. Transport and aviation security, port and maritime security, Martyn’s Law, HVM and barriers, the importance of diversity, the nighttime economy, high-profile venues and more will all be examined E

 through a series of presentations, fireside chats, and panel discussions.

The importance of security by design will be a key theme, whether that comes from designing in security to buildings and locations, or when it comes to developing technology. This will be further put into perspective by the Protect Duty’s focus on Publicly Accessible Locations (PALs) with the conference looking at many of the practical issues surrounding its implementation.

Finally, the International Risk and Resilience Conference, in partnership with Resilience First, will not just give the latest thinking from individuals and organisations who live, eat and breathe risk and resilience, but their practical insights will offer real tips on how to improve robustness.

The COVID Pandemic, followed by a major European conflict stimulating an economic and energy crisis, have all tested not just national resilience, but industrial and organisational resilience. Add in the impacts of global warming and the additional environmental risks and it is clear that resilience planning is now of upmost importance.

While the dedicated conference theatres will provide the insights to help attendees take on the biggest sector challenges, innovation will come to life in the show’s Product Innovation Theatre. Here, leading

suppliers will come together to launch new products, services and gamechanging solutions allowing attendees a first-hand look and opportunity to understand the capabilities of emerging technologies and solutions.

COMING TOGETHER TO MITIGATE SECURITY THREATS

While International Security Expo offers an unrivalled opportunity to see and test the latest products and hear from renowned industry leaders, it also plays a critical role in reconnecting the security industry to network and discuss how to respond to the challenges facing the industry. With a sophisticated, highlevel audience of security professionals in attendance, including government, policymakers, C-suite professionals and heads of security, it is no surprise thousands of senior vetted visitors return year-on-year to network, learn about the latest trends, and source and test the latest game-changing solutions from the world’s leading suppliers.

A carefully curated Advisory Council made up of over 70 key Government, industry and academic stakeholders ensure the event accurately reflects the security industry and covers the full spectrum of security trends, chaired by Admiral the Rt Hon Lord West of Spithead GCB DSC PC, former Minister of State for Security.

Threat detection from CEIA

CEIA (Company for Electronic Industrial Automation) was founded in 1962 in Italy when it began production of metal detectors for the textile industry, since then our product line has grown covering many sectors from military and security to pharmaceutical and food. Within the security industry, CEIA provide a range of sophisticated technologies designed for the detection of threats including explosives, IEDs, weapons and radioactive materials. CEIA holds more than fifty national and international patents. The manufacturing site is in Italy with offices in the UK, Europe and the US.

CEIA systems are installed in more than 80 per cent of airports worldwide and over 95 per cent in the UK including Heathrow and Gatwick. Currently around 20 per

cent of CEIA S.p.A staff are engaged in research and development, in activities to meet new legislative changes and changing threats. Sectors we cover include: Aviation Transportation; Cargo Screening; Law Enforcement; Court and Prisons; Event Security; Loss Prevention; and Arena Security.

Some of our latest technologies available to see on our stand are: SAMDEX Shoe Scanner, for the screening of passengers’ shoes; OPENGATE for the automatic screening of individuals including their backpacks and bags; and EMA-4 LEDS System, designed to check sealed and unsealed liquid containers carried by passengers. L

FURTHER INFORMATION www.ceia.co.uk

Rachael Shattock, Event Director, International Security Expo, added: “2023 is already on course to be one of the biggest and best years yet for the event. We are excited to be showcasing so much of the innovation that the industry has to offer, coupled with the exclusive insights coming from the many high-level speakers across the Conferences and Summit, making it a can’t miss two-days for those in charge of the security and resilience of businesses, people and critical infrastructures. Plus International Cyber Expo 2023 will sit alongside it, showcasing everything the thriving cyber market has to offer. We are grateful for the continued support from UK Government and the high-esteem in which they view event, and the continued presence of the Minister of State for Security. As the global event for the international security community, we can’t wait to open the doors at Olympia London and welcome back our visitors from around the world.” L

For more information, and to register your interest, please visit the website below.

FURTHER INFORMATION www.internationalsecurityexpo.com/ ctb-apr23

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F24 is Europe’s leading Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider for incident and crisis management, emergency notification, as well as for business messaging. FACT24 offers a highly innovative solution that supports clients worldwide in the efficient and successful management of incidents, emergencies and crises. In addition, the eCall platform offers solutions for high-volume confidential communications within the corporate environment.

Founded in Munich in 2000, F24 now supports companies and organisations in more than a hundred countries all over the world through our international subsidiaries in Brussels, Zurich, London, Trondheim, Paris, Luxembourg City, Madrid and Munich, as well as offices in Mexico City, Santiago de Chile, Vienna, Dubai and Auckland.

In 2010, we became the first company worldwide to have our Integrated Management

System for Information Security (ISMS) and Business Continuity (BCMS) certified by “The British Standards Institution” (BSI). Since then, F24 AG and the majority of its subsidiaries have been certified up to ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO 22301 standards. More than 3,000 clients rely on F24’s SaaS solutions for crisis management or the daily communication of confidential information. F24 clients operate in sectors ranging from energy, healthcare, industry, finance, IT, tourism and aviation through to a wide variety of public organisations. L

FURTHER INFORMATION f24.com

By Tom Kidwell, Co-Founder, Ecliptic Dynamics and former British Army and UK Government intelligence specialist and internet infrastructure security professional for the public sector

HOW CAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS STAY PROTECTED AGAINST ‘HACK-FOR-HIRE’ CYBERCRIMINAL GANGS’

The cybercrime industry has been growing at a staggering rate in recent years, with organisations and individuals across every sector affected. The Government has been put on high alert from potential state-backed cyberattacks as political tensions continue to rise, including possible threats upon the safety and security of politicians and national critical infrastructure. And, recently the Government announced a new strategy to protect the NHS from cyberattacks.

Some of the most notable attacks include the NHS 111 attack that occurred last year, which crippled emergency services across the health service, and the phishing attack on Scottish MP, Stewart McDonald, back in February 2022, which publicly exposed his private work emails. In addition to this, a sting operation recently revealed that Indian hack-for-hire gangs were targeting UK politicians.

These are just a few examples of how threat actors are preying on the public sector which is expected to increase year on year. A recent report found that nearly

47 per cent of data breaches in the public sector weren’t discovered until years after the initial attack, and the overall cost of cybercrime to businesses is set to reach $10.5tn a year by 2025, making it one of the largest economies in the world, and one of the most lucrative types of crime globally. For government officials or other public sector professionals, the hack-for-hire groups will be of particular concern. Often cyber groups adopt a ‘get in where we can approach’, using simple attack vectors such as phishing. They target whoever they can with fake emails and communications, hoping someone, usually on a company work device, will open a link, installing ransomware or other malware. However, with these hackfor-hire groups, they are incredibly targeted, not only going after specific organisations, but specific people within them. And on top of this, due to current conflicts around the world, foreign states are becoming increasingly involved in cybercrime, with many commissioning malicious activity against other countries; again, placing a target on the back of government officials.

CYBERSECURITY

So, government professionals need to know how to protect not only their organisation, but also themselves. Here are a few of the best practices professionals can implement to keep themselves secure:

TWO FACTOR AUTHENTICATION (2FA)

2FA is probably the most effective cybersecurity practice that can be instantly implemented. It is an access management control method, which forces users to provide two forms of identification to access a network, environment, account, or data set. The concept is centered around having something you know (username and password) and something you have (a code or token on your mobile). This means that even if a malicious hacker compromises your work email login credentials for example, they still need access to the unique authentication code that is sent to your trusted device.

CHECK SUSPICIOUS LINKS

Even if an email comes from a trusted sender, there’s always the possibility that they themselves have been breached, and the link you’ve just received from them is malicious. As with many walks of life government, officials should trust their gut when it comes to cybersecurity. Does something seem off? Is this a strange email to receive from this individual? Have they used your full name, when they normally use a shortened version? If you’re thinking about these things, always check the link. You can do this

AS WITH MANY WALKS OF LIFE GOVERNMENT, OFFICIALS SHOULD TRUST THEIR GUT WHEN IT COMES TO CYBERSECURITY

using phishing tests or link scanners, however sometimes an even easier way is to pick up the phone and verify the communication with the sender. In some ways this is similar to 2FA.

ISOLATE YOUR SENSITIVE WORK

Malicious hackers will likely be looking to access your work communications or data, sometimes targeting something specific for the purpose of blackmail or extortion. That’s why it’s crucial to keep more sensitive information and data isolated. This can be done using a different device, or segmenting your data, implementing different access pathways for each part of it. It’s also important to ensure that when browsing the web, or opening sensitive communications, that your work device is also protected. Using ‘virtual machines’ or web isolation platforms means that if you do click on a malicious link, or accidentally download an infected asset, all of the risk is contained, with the software and IT provider absorbing the risk and removing it from the user and their organisation. What’s more, with web isolation platforms, the user has zero footprint online as the virtual computer is rebuilt entirely from scratch, daily,

destroying any viruses – malware, trackers and online activity related to the user’s work, making it almost impossible to track a user online, leaving government officials to go about their work freely and safely.

The public sector remains a top target for cyber gangs, mainly due to the highly valuable and sensitive data it holds, and the vital role public sector officials and organisations play in society. A crippling attack on critical public infrastructure is a real risk, especially with geo-political tensions high since the war on Ukraine. Despite this, there are steps government workers can take to protect themselves and the organisations they represent. 2FA, checking suspicious links and isolating your work are key, however, to enable these things to happen means ensuring that government workers are cybersecurity savvy, trained in knowing what cyber defence procedures to follow. Organisations should have proper governance and control measures in place for officials to abide by as well as an incidence response plan to observe, should a breach occur. It’s a three-step approach – People, Processes and Technology – and following those will help to keep your government officials and organisation secure. L

CRITICAL COMMUNICATIONS WORLD

SUCCESS IN COOPERATION

Tero Pesonen, TCCA Board vice-chair and chair of TCCA’s Critical Communications Broadband Group, looks at the origin of CCW 2023’s key theme

As the solution turned out to be very efficient, the police made it available to other public safety agencies for free. With only minor usergroup-specific modifications, the agencies were dispatching and task handling with a common situational picture nationwide.

In parallel, a process of adjusting laws and regulations took place, fostering co-operation enabled by trust. An illustration of this is the act of providing police, border guards and customs equal interchangeable rights, allowing the nearest unit to be assigned to a task. This makes a positive difference in resource efficiency, particularly in rural areas.

The theme of Critical Communications World 2023 in Helsinki is ‘Success in Cooperation’. It is a tribute to the Finnish critical communications ecosystem, which has been using it as its slogan for years. But what does it mean and where does it come from?

‘Success in Cooperation’ is an attitude for all interactions, at all levels. It applies equally to the organisation’s internal way of working, across organisational borders and national borders, extending even to competing companies.

‘Success in Cooperation’ in critical communications is, first and foremost, recognition of – and at times also an acceptance – that one cannot cope alone (or at least for a long time alone). At the same time, it is very much a decision to trust the other parties and willingness to take an extra step to help out.

One might think that mutual trust and ‘Success in Cooperation’ in Finland would be a natural automatic outcome of the Nordic – ‘happiest nation in the world’ – society. However, that is not the case. It has been learnt. Therefore, it can be universal, if the will is there.

The history goes back to the late 1980s, to a point in time when every public safety agency in Finland had its dedicated analogue network. Each of them required renewal, but the nation was in a severe recession.

All requests for agency-specific separate networks were rejected, and the message was that there were resources for one public safety network only. The concept of a shared public safety network was established. Nevertheless, this was a hard

cookie to bite for the agencies. There were many fears of joint service, and a lack of trust in the technology capabilities as well as towards the other operatives.

To build trust, it was decided that each organisation in the digital TETRA network was equally important, but had to operationally own a private virtual radio network (PVRN).

To overcome the regional boundaries from the past, seamless nationwide mobility and the capability to send messages to anyone in the network were enabled.

To serve situations requiring multi-agency operation, designated common cooperation talk groups were established. The capacity, security, privacy and continuously improving coverage increased trust in the technology, as well as co-operation, initiating a continuous cycle of increased trust for deeper working together.

This enabled the renewing and rationalising of the 112 (999/911) emergency response centre (ERC) structure by consolidating hundreds of separate call centres into a single specific agency, using one national system in just a handful of physical locations. The ERC takes care of calltaking and dispatching for all incidents and all agencies in the entire country.

In parallel, the Finnish model of field command required better situational awareness and mobile tools. This model is where the leader/commander is leading remotely from in front, on the road instead of from a control centre.

This resulted in police taking GPS-based AVL (automatic vehicle location) into use, together with a computerised field command solution.

Now, public safety was co-operating. The next step was to invite utilities to participate in the common network. After all, public safety is dependent on electricity, and utilities need reliable critical communication, when a storm or disaster has impacted the power grid.

This step evolved further to include also commercial mobile network operators in a joint system, as well as a process to share the status information of all networks, and to agree on preparedness and distribution of work to restore services as quickly as possible in case of any interruptions.

Since then, national railways have joined the same shared network, which originally was thought to be impossible. The Finnish network has also been connected with Norway and Sweden, enabling far more efficient cross-border support than before. This includes jointly agreed rules for operational procedures, access rights, language and so on.

Over the years, ‘Success in Cooperation’ also represents itself in the co-ordination of common goals for the development of operational ways of working in the field, to the extent that industry is part of the cycle. Open communication with the industry and transparent procurement enable trust and joint international advancement of the entire sector. Commitment to driving standards is key for co-operation on a larger scale down the road.

How about ‘Success in Cooperation’ on a global scale for the benefit and safety of all in critical communications? L

Tero’s work for TCCA is sponsored by Erillisverkot

CRITICAL COMMUNICATIONS WORLD

CCW 2023: SETTING THE AGENDA

Chair of the TCCA Board, Mladen Vratonjic, discusses key topics at Critical Communications World 2023 in Helsinki

The critical communications sector is crucial to ensuring the safety and security of citizens, property and infrastructure around the world. Yet, we are a small community, in the context of consumer communications. With the stability of society being threatened in some countries, and others being thrown into chaos by extreme weather – as well as the everpresent threat of terrorist attacks – it is even more essential that our critical communications community works together for the benefit of all.

Our theme for the Critical Communications World (CCW) 2022 event in Vienna earlier last year was ‘Evolving the Ecosystem’. This was a call to further build and strengthen the foundation upon which the critical communications of the future will be developed and delivered.

Our theme for 2023, meanwhile, is a further step in consolidating this evolution. It is based on us being a stronger and more effective sector when we combine our relevant expertise; when all the elements of our ecosystem come together to form a cohesive force to drive our industry forward. This year therefore our theme is ‘Success in Co-operation’. It comes from the successful Critical Communications Finland initiative and is highly topical and relevant, as CCW 2023 will be held in Helsinki.

So under this banner of co-operation, what can we expect in CCW’s 23 conference sessions, panel sessions and focus forums?

As critical broadband networks continue to develop, the importance of open standards is underlined. There are myriad moving parts to a broadband network, and ensuring compatibility is essential to seamless operation. How do we secure critical broadband networks? What are the cybersecurity challenges and solutions, and what are the steps being taken to ensure critical users’ access to networks and services is not compromised?

We’ll also be looking at the ongoing strength of TETRA and other narrowband network technologies as critical voice remains the bedrock of instant communications in a crisis. Hybrid networks will be essential to maintaining that service to critical users while broadband networks come into use for an innovative range of data applications. Therefore, interoperability, interworking and MCX are key topics.

MOBILE NETWORK OPERATORS

Next – with timelines being reset, and spectrum availability remaining uncertain in some countries – we are looking to the mobile network operators (MNOs) for perspectives on how they view the development of the critical broadband market. How can they best support critical users and operations across not only public safety but the vertical industries such as transportation, power and utilities? How can they bring technology innovations for the network – edge and cloud computing, AI and more – to the table?

The rapid rise of the IoT will also be a key area for discussion, as it is brought into play for an increasing number of smart applications. It is estimated that today several tens of billions of IoT-connected devices are in operation in the world. How do we ensure that critical IoT is robust and resilient across its operation? It is already delivering huge benefits in areas such as healthcare. We now need to work together to ensure that, as people become reliant on connected care, it doesn’t let them down. Likewise manufacturing, with Industry 4.0 transforming many areas, requiring that networks are stable and reliable.

There is also much in the news about non-terrestrial networks, with consumer smartphones now being launched with satellite connectivity. Our panels on communications from space in previous events have proved hugely popular, and at CCW 2023 we will be exploring new developments and their potential impact on the delivery of critical communications services.

The most important of all, however, is the user aspect. Superior technology cannot solve problems if it is not fully subordinated to the needs of the users. Therefore, during the event, we will deal with ways of extracting and using useful information from the sea of data. We will also look at how technology can help achieve full situational awareness and discuss how the evolution of command and control centres can efficiently meet operational demands. We will also look at why mutual trust, lasting partnership and the joint work of industry and users is crucial in ensuring effective critical communications.

Integral to all activity is the need for sustainability and efficient energy management. As a sector we must work together to reduce our impact on the environment and innovate to ensure the re-use and recycling of as many network elements as possible. We look forward to hearing from those leading the way in addressing climate change.

From control rooms to the cloud, from situational awareness to the use of social media, Communications World 2023 in Helsinki will be setting the agenda for the future of our sector. The topics mentioned here are just a taste of what to expect from our conference this year.

CCW is the showcase event for our sector, help us to maximise its impact. L

Travis Frain is a survivor of the 2017 Westminster Bridge attack in which four people were killed, when a car was driven into pedestrians. Since then, Travis has become a prominent campaigner for educating society of the dangers of terrorism and founded the Resilience in Unity project, which seeks to record and amplify testimonies and educate society on the risks from terrorism. Travis recently received The British Citizen Award for Services to Volunteering and Charitable Giving, for the January 2023 Roll of Honour

“RESILIENCE IN UNITY”

So far, more than 100 testimonies have been recorded from more than 20 countries around the world. Travis also visits schools, colleges and universities, sharing his story and building awareness of extremism and terrorism and providing tools for understanding and preventing radicalisation.

MOTIVATION

CTB spoke to Travis about the work he has been doing. We began by asking why he decided to start Resilience in Unity.

Travis said: “On 22 March 2017, a man named Khalid Masood drove a car into pedestrians on the pavement along the south side of Westminster Bridge in London, killing four people and injuring a further 50 people. I, and my friends, were all injured in the attack, though fortunately we all survived.

“Over the years following the attack, I came to very quickly understand the difficulties that survivors can face in the aftermath of an attack, and the need for connection and solidarity to be formed

with other survivors in order to support one another. As I became more active in this area, wanting to support other victims and do what I could to prevent future extremism, I came to see how our stories can be an effective counternarrative to those spread by extremists seeking to divide. This is why I set up the Resilience in Unity project. I wanted to give those affected by terrorism a voice and a platform to tell their story, whilst also commemorating and memorialising the lives lost through acts of terrorism across the globe.”

AIMS

Travis explained how the project works: “We speak to survivors and victims from around the world to reflect on their personal experiences, recording their testimonies and crafting these onto a mapping tool that can be viewed and accessed by anyone via our website. We have so far recorded over 100 testimonies from over 20 countries.”

The project has a few aims which include: humanising victims, beyond

CTB INTERVIEW

merely becoming a statistic, and demonstrating the realities of human suffering as a result of terrorism and demonstrating the benefits of listening to those most affected, ensuring we learn from their experiences to better our counterterrorism efforts and policies. Among the other aims are educating wider society on the risks from terrorism and the tangible things we can do at grassroots level to prevent radicalisation and safeguard our community, friends and family and providing a resource for those aiming to counter the spread of hate and division in our communities.

Travis explained how we can learn from survivors of terrorism and how their voices can be used to make a change. He said: “Well the first step is by genuinely listening to survivors and understanding their unique experiences, rather than simply providing hot air. Many survivors are told that ‘lessons will be learned’ after attacks and yet, when it comes to support for victims, so many have been campaigning for change for years, with little movement from Government. Last year I testified before the UN Assembly on the importance of remembrance and recognition and how survivors’ voices can be used for preventing violent extremism, calling for a National Day of Service in Tribute to Victims of Terrorism. By hearing first hand from survivors of terrorism and learning from their experiences, we can ensure victims of future attacks receive the best possible support, and we can properly address any failures identified by inquiries and inquests to help prevent other attacks in future.”

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

Expanding on what the government could do, Travis said: “Commemorations provide an important opportunity for us to unite survivors and learn from their experiences so we can improve our counterterrorism efforts, including the support provided to the victims of terrorist attacks.

“Last year I met with representatives from Downing Street to propose we set up a national day of service in tribute to victims of terrorism – a day where we as a nation can take time to consider how our actions impact one another and identify ways in which we can challenge extremist ideologies and ultimately prevent future attacks.

“We must all work together to ensure victims of terrorism are not forgotten. Governments, survivors’ organisations, civil society groups, communities –we all have a role to play to inspire positive change, and I hope that the Government will continue their commitment to establishing such a date so that we can provide the public with the tools to recognise the warning

signs of radicalisation, and to support those most intimately affected.”

PUBLIC SUPPORT

We also asked Travis what the public can do to help. He replied: “It is more important than ever that we stand together against the enduring terrorist threat. We offer resources and guidance via the Resilience in Unity website for those seeking more information on how to educate, take action, and respond to terrorism. Find out more here.

“For other support, I would recommend that people contact their local Prevent Team at the Council or contact their local Police Department for advice!”

SCHOOL VISITS

Travis told us about the work he does visiting schools around the country.

“We are seeing a rapid rise of extremism online and in schools across the UK. Given the Home Office’s latest report highlighting the rise of under-18s being arrested for terror offences, we feel we have an important role to play in reducing the influence of extremist groups and protecting vulnerable minds.

“Over the past couple of years, I have visited hundreds of schools, colleges, and universities across the country to provide practitioners with the tools and resources needed to safeguard young people from the dangers they may face online and to educate young people on the risks so they can identify and challenge extremism for themselves. More than anything else, I feel it is important that young people hear these reallife stories and understand that these issues truly can affect any one of us – after all, I was only 19 years old at the time of the Westminster attack.”

TESTIMONIES

Talking about some of the testimonies that have been gathered as part of the project, Travis shared one with us.

“A great example of the good that can be found in sharing and amplifying these voices, and the initiatives they are involved in, can be quite clearly seen with Cath Hill. Cath survived the Manchester Arena attack on 22 May 2017 – where 22 innocent people lost their lives – after taking her son to see his first ever concert. The event changed their lives forever and they have been living with the psychological consequences every day since. As a result of their experience, Cath set up

the Bee the Difference research project with the National Emergencies Trust, spearheaded by nine young survivors from the attack. Bee the Difference has now interviewed hundreds of young victims of the Manchester arena attack, determined to learn from these young people’s experiences to ensure children affected by future attacks receive the best possible support. Cath’s work and the Bee the Difference project is just one example of the many inspiring initiatives that many survivors become involved in post-attack, positive initiatives that aim to keep us all safer in future.”

FINAL THOUGHTS

When asked for any final comments, Travis responded: “All I would add is this; to anyone reading this magazine, please take into account the reality behind this topic. Too often I feel we can get caught up in the theory, and lose sight of what really matters – the raw, real-life stories of those affected by these heinous acts. Only by centring them at the heart of our efforts going forward can we seek to properly address the threat, and coherently present a firm response in the face of terrorism.” L

“WE ARE SEEING A RAPID RISE OF EXTREMISM ONLINE AND IN SCHOOLS ACROSS THE UK”

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