The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has welcomed the UK government’s publication of a revised Safety and Security Strategy for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has welcomed the UK government's publication of a revised Safety and Security Strategy for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Revised following the publication of the National Security Strategy in October 2010, the Olympic and Paralympic Safety and Security Strategy sets out the key aims and objectives for police, government agencies, organizations and departments responsible for delivering a safe and secure Olympic Games in a little over a year's time.
Outlining the key security threats facing the Games, the revised strategy cites terrorism, cyber attack, international military crises and major accidents or natural hazards as the most significant risks facing the event. It also acknowledges the additional security requirements of non-competition venues nationwide, such as hotels, airports, training venues and live screenings.
As the leading trade association representing the UK's private security industry, the BSIA has been involved in Olympic security planning from the outset, working closely with the Olympic Security Directorate (OSD), the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) and the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA).
Speaking on the release of the revised security strategy, the BSIA's dedicated Project Director for 2012, David Evans (pictured), said, “This strategy demonstrates the maturity of the work that has been put into developing the document since its previous publication. The revised strategy takes into account additional areas of security concern, such as parallel events, and gives more detail on other areas such as transport and borders and a more detailed governance.”
A full version of the revised Olympic and Paralympic Safety and Security Strategy can be downloaded from the Home Office's
website.
In October 2010 the UK government published “A Strong Britain in an Age of Uncertainty: The National Security Strategy.” The National Security Council judges that currently, and for the next five years, the four highest priority risks are those arising from:
1. international terrorism, including through the use of chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) materials; and of terrorism related to Northern Ireland;
2. cyber attack, including by organised crime and terrorists;
3. international military crises; and
4. major accidents or natural hazards.
This strategy supports the National Security Strategy and considers those risks that it identifies. The Olympic and Paralympic Safety and Security Strategy objectives are:
● protect Olympic and Paralympic venues, events and supporting transport infrastructure, and those attending and using them; prepare for events that may significantly disrupt the safety and security of the Games and ensure capabilities are in place to mitigate their impact;
● identify and disrupt threats to the safety and security of the Games;
● command, control, plan and resource (C2PR) the safety and security operation; and
● engage with international and domestic partners and communities, to enhance our security and ensure the success of the strategy.