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NEWS REVIEWCOUNTER TERROR EXPOFOCUSES IN ON SPORT SECURITYThe commando style terrorist attack against the visiting Sri Lankan cricketteam in Lahore earlier this year, served to emphasis what many in thecounter-terrorism and security fields have known for a long while; that inuncertain times the idea that the global and unifying nature of sport canbe reflected in all the venues at which it is practiced no longer holds true.High profile sporting events andtheir star performers represent ahigh value target and in thechallenge to protect them from a terroristatrocity, it is becoming increasingly evidentThe challenge of securing major sportingevents is one that the major sports governingbodies such as the International OlympicsCommittee (IOC), Fédération Internationale deFootball Association (FIFA), InternationalCricket Committee (ICC) and very manyothers are having to come to terms with as therisk of terrorist attack becomes increasinglyacute.This challenge will be explored in-depth atthe forthcoming Counter Terror Expo eventbeing held in London from 14-15 April 2010.The event brings the world’s leadingcounter terrorism experts together with thosetasked with the unenviable role of keepingsport safe, to debate the issues faced and helpto identify best practice solutions to addresscurrent and future needs.Delegates with special responsibility and aprofessional interest in sports security will beimmersed over the two-days of Counter TerrorExpo in the terrorist threat to crowded places,the implications for those tasked with ensuringa safe and secure environment and themethodologies and techniques necessary toensure sport remains safe.“World events have shown us thatinternational terrorist groups recognise noboundaries and can and do strikeunexpectedly wherever large numbers ofpeople are likely to gather,” comments NicolaGreenaway, Operations Director, CounterTerror Expo. “This event gathers the leadingexperts in the field of counter-terrorismtogether with those tasked to provide securityat the point of delivery, to share knowledgeand expertise in an effort to beat the terroristmenace.Big numbersSporting events present some pretty bigsecurity challenges and not least because of thesheer number of spectators who attend them.Prime venues such as Wembley Stadium inLondon attract up to 90,000 spectators forevents such as the FA Cup Final.Maintaining appropriate security but withminimum disruption at such events requiresan effective intelligence led risk assessmentcombined with efficient policing, marshaling,monitoring and access control, to ensure amatch day goes to plan.The United Kingdom has long experience instaging safe and secure international sportingevents. But the UK will soon face its ultimatechallenge when it plays host to the 2012Olympic Games.This single event is on a scale which createsits own unique security challenges given thenumber of locations involved and the volumeof people expected to attend.During the six weeks of the 2012 OlympicGames, the United Kingdom will host:• 14,000 athletes from 200 countries• 9,800 team officials• 27,500 members of the media• 26 Olympic sports in 34 venues• 20 Paralympic sports in 21 venues• 9 million spectators from across the globeThese numbers are eye wateringly huge andthe event is the biggest in UK history.Counter Terror Expo will examine in detailprincipal aspects of the overall security planfor the 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games andlook back at lessons learned from the 2010England v Ukraine - 2010 World Cup Qualifying - Wembley Stadium.Winter Olympic & Paralympic Games inVancouver, offering delegates an unrivaledopportunity to gain valuable knowledge fromthose at the sharp end in delivering security tosuch high profile and high value targets.“Lessons learned from the biggest securitychallenge in the sporting world, have clearapplication in the wider sports community.Counter Terror Expo therefore delivers an idealforum in which to learn much from theexperience of others and translate thisknowledge into workable security strategiessuited to any sporting event,” adds NicolaGreenaway.Throughout the two days of the event,delegates will also have access to relatedspecialist workshops on CCTV/Surveillance,Perimeter Security and Building and FacilitiesProtection amongst other techniques anddisciplines.Counter Terror Expo will be held 14-15April 2010 in the National Hall of LondonOlympia. FSAFor more information on Counter Terror Expocontact Nicola Greenaway on + 44 (0) 208 542 9090or email: ngreenaway@niche-events.com4 | FOOTBALL & SPORTS ARENA | November/December 2009