CSSC South West looks at the security issues facing us today & tomorrow
We asked regional leaders from the CSSC sectors to look ahead to 2024 and consider the challenges and opportunities it will bring to those working in security. In particular, we asked them to focus on how CSSC can help in the response. Karen Ramirez, CSSC South West responds:
It was a delight to venture from the sunny South West region to London in October for the CSSC and City Kids 2023 Charity Dinner. One personal highlight was seeing the highly professional police cadets on duty, and in particular, the number of female cadets represented. I hope that a good proportion of them go on to pursue fulfilling careers in policing!
The security industry is striving to improve equality, diversity and inclusion, and this has never been more important in order for the communities we serve to feel comfortable approaching security or policing representatives when they need assistance.
In the south west, a number of towns and cities have launched Safe Buses that are highly visible, positioned in prominent locations and running from around 10:30pm to 4:30am on Friday and Saturday nights.
There are buses in Bath, Plymouth and Weston-super-Mare amongst others and I, for one, hope that this is a trend that will continue across other towns and cities in the region through 2024 and beyond.
Taking Bath as an example, it is a city that welcomes approximately six million tourists and 27 thousand students every year on top of the resident population, not to mention the influx of rugby supporters on match days!
The city’s Safe Bus launched in March 2023 and is staffed by a combination of medical, security and volunteer staff. It offers help to anyone who becomes vulnerable on a night out, from becoming separated from friends, to being able to charge a phone or receive emotional and health support. In its first few weeks, over 200 people were treated, many with health issues, thereby reducing callouts to the local ambulance team.
The buses are a welcome addition to the safeguarding of visitors and residents. Given the ongoing rise in violence against women and girls in particular, these buses are a welcome addition, along with other initiatives such as “Ask for Angela”, and I hope will be rolled out to those town and city centres that do not currently have one.
This is just one of a number of initiatives that is gaining momentum, but one that is worthy of further investment and support as we grapple with some of the ongoing security challenges in society today.
