The City Security Council 2024
The upcoming year, 2024, is poised to be both exciting yet challenging for the City Security Council. We anticipate significant changes in our operating model, including a shift towards regional leadership teams to spearhead national initiatives. Establishing a new-look London leadership team for 2024 was the obvious first step in this transformation process, given the success seen to date in the City.
It is a privilege to be appointed to the position of Chair for the London region and work has commenced developing the regional strategy, vision, and key objectives. The appointment of the leadership team was an immediate priority, and we have seasoned professionals leading our Operations, Testing and Exercising, Intelligence, Police Liaison, Marketing, and ED&I subgroups. This strategic approach sets the stage for a dynamic year ahead, aligning with our commitment to evolve and take a proactive stance in national security initiatives.
The Operations team is dedicated to enhancing our Hi Visibility days, collaborating with the CSC Intelligence Subgroup and the City of London Police. Our primary goal is to better support our colleagues in retail and the night-time economy. We are developing robust operational plans to deploy in real time during crises, and to support our police colleagues effectively.
In partnership with the City of London Crime Prevention Association, we are committed to supporting the Prevent Violence against Women and Girls and Domestic Abuse strategy as we continue to drive the Safe Haven initiative. We have an ambitious target to launch 200 Safe Havens via member organisations during 2024, with strong engagement and motivation from the membership.
Our Testing and Exercising team (T&E) has created a strategy for online tabletop exercises for businesses in the Square Mile. Collaborating with the City of London Police and British Transport Police we are planning a live exercise in the city in Q2/3 of 2024. Our Intelligence Subgroup (ISG) will complement these efforts with quarterly security briefings for frontline colleagues covering current and relevant topics.
As a Council we will continue to champion Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion within the Security Sector. The London Regional team, in collaboration with the National Board, will actively engage in creating impactful campaigns and conferences to raise awareness of equity, diversity and foster inclusion.
Public-private collaboration and partnership will be at the forefront of our efforts and will see the CSC investing time and resources in maintaining our excellent working relationship with the City of London Police and British Transport Police. We will continue to drive strong and meaningful partnerships with industry bodies and associations.
In closing, 2024 will be another busy year for the City Security Council. With an actively engaged membership, a robust Board of Directors, and an experienced, driven Leadership Team at the helm of the London Region, I am genuinely excited about the positive impact we can achieve as a collective when we continue putting collaboration before competition to make our city safer.
The City Security Council was originally established as a collective of premier security companies based in the City of London. The key objective was to work in close collaboration and support of the City of London Police and the City of London Corporation in times of crisis or when any significant event takes place in the City.
Since its inception the group has grown considerably in membership and its remit has also evolved. The CSC is now recognised as a leading and authoritative voice of the security industry and one that represents the interest of thousands of security officers. The membership is now open to any UK-based security company that is ACS approved or is working towards the relevant British Standard.
Scott Gough
Chair of the London Leadership Team
