CSSC West Midlands looks at the global 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 security. In particular, we asked them to focus on how CSSC can help in the response. Barrie Millet from CSSC West Midlands and Director of Special Projects and Industry Engagement at Mitie responded:
The world is going through a very fragile period: war in Ukraine, the conflict that continues to unfold in Israel / Gaza and possibly wider in the region, cost-of-living crisis, large scale involuntary migration, etc. All of which can and are being exploited by terrorist organisations and organised crime groups.
These issues have the propensity to play a significant part in the increase of security threats in the UK over the next twelve months. They will undoubtably bring their own challenges; however, it is heartening to see how the security sector pulls together during tough times and there are huge opportunities for the sector to collaborate further and really step up to the mark to ensure we do as much as possible to help keep the communities we serve safe.
The recent King’s Speech covered two major items of legislation which we all need for us all to get our weight behind: Martyn’s Law – the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, which will now go through a further eight-week consultation, and we must engage and do all that we can to get this passed. It is also important that we do not wait for the Bill to be passed; we should already be working towards the spirit of Martyn’s Law now!
Second, tougher sentencing for the most serious offenders. The degree in which organised crime groups are impacting UK communities, especially in retail environments, should not be underestimated. The recent creation of the Pegasus Steering Group, which combines industry knowledge and policing powers in a true partnership approach, is another great example of the art of the possible when the sector comes together.
The security sector has some incredible people and experience with the ability to make changes that will significantly improve the safety and security of communities throughout the UK. The CSSC continues to have a role to play in driving collaboration, improving response capabilities and facilitating dialogue at regional and national levels.
We should be raising regional issues with national stakeholders and facilitating dialogue with subject matter experts, policing and business on topical issues, especially with small and medium-sized enterprises that often get left behind and pick up the fallout from disbursed crime.
We should all have the collective mindset of Working and Winning Together.
