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New Special Interest Group to enhance security in the built environment

To help drive better security in the built environment, a new Special Interest Group has been launched by building science centre, BRE, in partnership with the Security Institute – the UK’s largest professional membership body for security professionals.

“Rightly so, security is high on everyone’s agenda,” says BRE Associate Director and Special Interest Group co-chair, Gavin Jones, “We want to see more security professionals engaged both in the development of the built environment, and in helping organisations to operate safe and secure premises. The Group will work to increase opportunities for security professionals and raise the profile of the security industry.”

Mark Tucknutt, Security Institute board member and Special Interest Group co-chair commented, ‘Security is increasingly recognised as a discipline in the built environment, and through this group we hope to promote the benefits of thorough, professional consideration of security in the design process.

We invite not only security consultants, engineers and managers but all built environment professionals to participate and help us in designing to reduce the risk of crime and terrorism’.

A recent BRE National Security Survey created to help identify priorities for new research, standards development, campaigns, events and training in the area of protective security has shown that people have become more security-conscious. Out of over 200 participants that took the survey, 81% of participants considered security a factor when deciding which property to rent or buy; and over 50% said they may be influenced by security when deciding whether to attend an event, concert or festival.

Aimed at industry experts across all disciplines, including security experts, architects, planners, manufactures, installers and suppliers, the Special Interest Group was officially launched at the ‘Planning Today for a Secure Tomorrow’ event at BRE, Watford on 2 November 2017. The event focussed on the future role of the planning system in creating safe and secure urban environments. It gained the views of both the public and private sector, including key representatives from the Department for Communities and Local Government, the National Counter Terrorism Security Office and the Planning Officers Society.

The first meeting of the Special Interest Group will take place w/c 4 December 2017. All security and built environment professionals are invited to become involved, and can find out more by contacting [email protected]