BSIA pledges support to Olympic security conference

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has announced its support for the forthcoming Olympic and Paralympic Safety and Security Conference 2010. The event, now in its second year, will take place on 25th November and is hosted by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) in Whitehall, London.

With less than two years to go before the opening ceremony, planning for 2012 steps up a gear, shaped heavily by experience gained from recent major sporting events such as the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, World Cup in South Africa and Commonwealth Games in Delhi. The government's Strategic Defence and Security Review will also play a major role in how London 2012 is secured.

Speakers will include Pauline Neville-Jones, Home Office Minister for Counter Terrorism and Security, as well as Chris Allison, the Metropolitan Police's Assistant Commissioner for the Olympic Games. Topics covered include games-time resilience and continuity planning, and the role of the private sector in a safe and secure Olympics.

The latter holds particular resonance with the BSIA's David Evans, Project Director - 2012, who is responsible for focusing the work of the Association for the 2012 Olympic Games. David comments: "The 2012 Olympics and its ongoing legacy represent a significant business opportunity for BSIA members, and early engagement with the planning process is an essential part of ensuring the private sector's involvement in providing a safe and secure Olympics. BSIA members are recognised as the leading resource for private security services in the UK and ensuring that BSIA members are fully aware of the opportunities available to them is an essential part of the Association's activity."