Should We Do More To Keep The City Safe From Attack?

The recent terror attacks in Paris has indicated just how vulnerable major cities can be to acts of terrorism and the impact this can have on the business community.  Even those businesses not directly targeted face disruption to their operations during any attack and its aftermath. The UK government’s announcement of extra armed officers is welcome news but this in itself will not provide the city an adequate deterrent and response to the terrorist threat. Better analysis of risk to focus resources combined with effective policies and procedures for responding to any threat must also play a part. Manchester has an excellent track record of providing the city’s business with a safe environment in which to operate and grow and if we are to maintain this record and build on the city’s reputation for hosting world class business and events are we doing enough to prevent those that seek to damage our city?

This question is being posed by Andrew Varney, Managing Director of P2P Risk, a leading security risk management company based in Manchester and specialising in business risk intelligence, crisis risk management and business continuity services.

Manchester’s status was confirmed by the recent high profile visit by the Chinese Premier Xi Jinping who’s first stop outside of the capital was to Manchester visiting the city’s world class football teams and cultural and business centres. The increasing  global status of Manchester as the centre of gravity for the rapidly emerging Northern Powerhouse initiative supported by the Chancellor George Osborne not only brings huge opportunity to the city and region but potentially also significantly increases the risk of terrorist activity.

In response to this question Mr Varney is asking for the support of the  City Council to spearhead a new ‘Security Risk Management Forum’ as a platform through which he aims to engage local Government, business leaders, senior Police Officers and members of the emergency services working in partnership with P2P Risk to promote debate amongst the region’s business community to establish the nature of the latest terror threat warnings and advise on the best practice strategies to mitigate the risk and protect businesses, staff and property.

Mr Varney commented ‘At P2P Risk we specialise in forming partnerships with private and public sector stakeholders advising on a range of business risk scenarios based upon our vast international experience and  believe we can provide a vital link between the security and emergency services,  government agencies and the business sector within the city and wider region. We plan to kick start this new initiative by delivering this proposed high profile forum which we will be held in the heart of the City. We have already initiated contact with a variety of public and private sector stakeholders and are encouraged by the early interest‘.