Manchester businesses advised on the impact of Olympic events

Manchester businesses were given an overview of the security challenges faced by the city

Businesses in Manchester were given an exclusive insight into security planning for this summer’s large-scale city-centre events at the annual Manchester Security exhibition and seminar, which was held last week (18th April).

Free to attend, the event welcomed a record number of over 250 delegates from local businesses including Morrisons, Selfridges and The Printworks, as well as public sector organisations Manchester City Council and the University of Manchester.

Providing delegates with an overview of the security challenges faced by the city was a panel of expert speakers: Chief Superintendent Stuart Ellison and Superintendent Bryan Lawton from Greater Manchester Police, Ian Horseman-Sewell from G4S Major Events, and Inspector Sean Ferguson from ACPO and the Metropolitan Police’s Olympic and Paralympic Policing Coordination team.

Trevor Elliott, Director of Manpower and Membership Services at the British Security Industry Association, opened the event alongside Greater Manchester Police Assistant Chief Constable, Garry Shewan, and Tony Morton, Chairman of the Manchester City Centre Crime Prevention Panel, and commented on the event: “2012 is an exciting and challenging year for businesses across the country, with the impact of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games being felt in towns and cities nationwide, including here in Manchester, and it’s essential for businesses to plan effectively to consider the implications of the large-scale events that are going to happen over the coming months.”

Presenting on behalf of event sponsor, G4S, Ian Horseman-Sewell noted that the impact of the Games will be felt far wider than London, claiming that there are: “very few organisations around the country that we’re providing security services to that aren’t in some way affected, even if it’s only in terms of moving goods and supplies around the country during the Games period.”

Representatives from the Police gave a further insight into the security and public safety challenges faced in Manchester, and the preparation work that has gone into Olympic-related security planning

Ian went on to say: “I’m really proud to say a lot of [the Olympic security] operation springs from the North West. Manchester is a particular centre of excellence based on many years of event-related work and partnerships with organisations such as the city council, the Police themselves and the private sector organisations here that are heavily involved in events.”

Representatives from the Police gave a further insight into the security and public safety challenges faced in Manchester, and the preparation work that has gone into Olympic-related security planning, including community engagement and the mapping of crime patterns within key areas of the city.

Exhibitors from a range of security providers were also on hand to showcase the wide array of products and services on the market to help individual companies put their own security plans in place, from electronic security measures to people-based guarding services.

The event was organised by the BSIA in partnership with Greater Manchester Police, the Manchester City Centre Crime Prevention Panel, Greater Manchester Chamber and Manchester City Council.

You can view video excerpts from the day’s presentations at https://www.youtube.com/thebsia