Securitas receives Home Office approval to deliver counter terrorism initiative to staff

Project Griffin was devised by the City of London Police to protect UK cities from the threat of terrorism

Securitas UK has joined a select group of organisations to be accredited by NaCTSO (National Counter Terrorism Security Office) to deliver its Project Griffin counter terrorism awareness initiative to their own staff.

Protecting UK cities and communities

Project Griffin was devised by the City of London Police in 2004 to protect UK cities and communities from the threat of terrorism following a number of high profile terrorist attacks in London and abroad. Integrating and coordinating the resources of the emergency services, local authorities, businesses and the private sector security industry, the concept has been successfully replicated by a number of countries around the world.

Training comprises a number of terrorism awareness modules – currently 13 in number – covering awareness of anything from firearms & weapon attacks to drones, insider threats to cyberattacks. It is delivered at dedicated training events lasting from one to six hours, dependent on the time available and number of topics covered. Until recently, the modules were owned and managed by NaCTSO and delivered by specialist CTSAs (Counter Terrorism Security Advisers) across the country. 

Industry Self-Delivery scheme

In April 2016 however, following an escalation in threat levels following further high profile terrorist attacks, NaCTSO launched Industry Self-Delivery, a scheme designed to extend Project Griffin’s reach in which accredited organisations would now be empowered to train their own employees. Securitas UK applied and was successful in gaining accreditation, having met the strict criteria. The Project Griffin training is delivered at Securitas’s recently-opened state-of-the-art Training & Development Academy in Milton Keynes.

Dr Michael McDonagh, Director for Policing Services, Securitas UK, said: “As a result of much work at the National Project Griffin User Group, and in light of recent terrorist attacks, it has now been decided that the way forward in terms of industry awareness and delivery is, that the current 13 Project Griffin modules will be handed over to a select group of industry leads for the sectors to deliver the awareness training to their staff themselves.

"I am pleased to announce that Securitas as the Guarding sector lead has been approved by the Home Office and NaCTSO to become the first to be authorised to deliver this ground breaking counter terrorist training.” 

Emily O'Mahony, Head of Learning and Development, Securitas UK said: “Through the support and leadership of the executive and the Securitas Training Academy, I am delighted that six of our Academy Trainers have now received specialist training at the Academy, from the NaCTSO team and are now approved and authorised to deliver this National Counter Terrorism material, at such a vital time. We will now commence a review of all staff and ensure that they are regularly updated as to the latest material from the National Counter Terrorism Office. Once we have updated our staff, then it is proposed that we will offer this awareness package to our Clients.”

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