Atticus Risk

12 Market Square

Winslow, Buckinghamshire

MK18 3AF

 

Tel: ++44 (0) 1296 715470

Fax: ++44 (0) 1296 301892

 

 

Security Risk and Threat Assessment

 

Before beginning any works to upgrade security, and prior to funds being committed or contracts being placed, it is essential to undertake a proper security risk assessment. The process should not be confused with the fire risk assessment, for life safety purposes, which is now a legal requirement for all places of work other than those used solely by the self employed.

 

The security risk assessment seeks to identify and quantify the potential threats facing the premises and their contents. At its most basic, the assessment can be produced by asking some simple questions:

 

·         What items are we seeking to protect?

 

·         Who is likely to want to steal or damage them?

 

·         When are the intruders likely to attack?

 

·         How are the intruders most likely to try to gain access?

 

When undertaking the risk assessment, scenarios for each hazard are looked at and an assessment of the levels of damage which could occur in terms of disruption, the damage to reputation, financial implications etc are made. Once these levels have been clarified and quantified, it is possible to judge which hazards pose the most severe risk and which resources should be allocated and where they might best be used.

 

Risk assessment is a useful tool, but to be effective the process needs to be repeated whenever circumstances change. For example, if contractors are due to start work on an extension, or gates have been taken away for repair, then the risk will change, particularly if perimeter protection is weakened, making access much easier.

 

Records of the assessments should be kept, as in the event of an incident it will be possible to demonstrate to the insurers or the courts that appropriate steps had been taken to protect the property.

 

The Security Survey

 

The security survey should not be confused with the risk assessment. It is true that the two are connected, but the survey is a distinct tool to be used to determine precisely what security measures are in place and the deficiencies which may exist. Furthermore, any reasonably competent security professional can undertake a basic risk assessment (provided he or she understands the principles), but the security survey is a little more demanding, and it is unlikely that a non-specialist will be able to produce a meaningful outcome.

 

The survey should begin with a review or analysis of the area in which the building is located. This can often have a significant impact on the risk of crime. Crime Patterns vary tremendously. For example, buildings in rundown inner city areas where arson and vandalism are common obviously present widely different problems from remote rural locations.

 

Many security surveys including that method favoured by Atticus Risk incorporate a quantitative scoring system for the analysis of recorded crime and relevant environmental factors.

Once the environmental threat has been determined, the basic principles of security can be considered.

 

These are often known as the 'three Ds' - Deterrence, Delay and Denial:

 

Deter the would-be intruder by presenting a difficult and discouraging site

 

Delay the intruder by making entry as difficult as possible

 

Deny the intruder either any advantage or access to the key parts of the building once entry has been gained.

 

The survey will review all the various security features - including both positive and negative aspects - and then produce a list of considered recommendations to overcome any deficiencies detected. The survey will normally be the starting point for any security improvements and may also provide the basis for contracts with suppliers of systems or services.

 

In producing the survey, the consultant will examine the premises as a series of protective “layers” as laid out below:

 

Perimeter Protection

All buildings or premises have a perimeter; this may be a fence, wall or simply the 'skin' of the building. It is at the perimeter that the security of the building and its contents begins. All buildings have penetrations in their skins - not just in the form of doors and windows, but also skylights, ventilation ducts, coal chutes, delivery shutters, utility duct covers, boiler room access panels and so on. It is very easy for those who live or work in a building to overlook such features.

 

Alarm Systems

Too often the response to security threats in equestrian properties has been an unthinking reflex response: 'Fit an alarm system'. While intruder detection systems can play an important role as part of a coherent security strategy, specifications for such systems are often produced by the supplying company, so it is not surprising that there have been some well-publicised cases of alarm systems failing in their intended purpose.

 

Security Lighting

Properly designed and installed lighting can play a considerable part in deterring would-be intruders. Again, correct specifications are important. Lighting should not only eliminate shadows or areas where an intruder can hide but should also be directed outwards from the building to provide security personnel with an advantage, silhouetting any intruder against the background and by shining into the intruder's eyes.

 

Closed Circuit TV

Like alarm systems, closed circuit television (CCTV) has frequently been proposed as a panacea for security problems. While CCTV is extremely useful for providing surveillance of such areas as car parks and stables, it must be remembered that to be effective there has to be a proper response to security breaches picked up by camera. Always consider who (if anyone)is actually going to be watching the system, and whether they are likely to respond to any incidents spotted on a monitor.

Physical and Technical Countermeasures

 

Atticus Risk can provide a full project management service for installation and maintenance of physical security systems. Our suppliers and contractors are all at the very least NACOSS or FMB accredited. In undertaking work we aim to adhere to the criteria as set out below:

 

Minimal Intervention. Any changes to a listed or heritage building must cause as little impact to the building and its fabric as possible. Any work undertaken to improve security should not cause unnecessary disruption or damage during installation, maintenance or eventual removal.

 

Necessity. Only the minimum amount of work necessary to achieve the stated objective should be undertaken and all the work should be justified and informed by a detailed risk assessment.

 

Reversibility. Any changes to historic fabric or a listed building should be reversible wherever possible.

 

Sensitivity. Security systems should be installed with due consideration to the overall appearance of the building as well as having the minimum impact on its fabric. In particular, appropriate use should be made of existing features (such as voids, risers, old chimneys and ducts) to conceal wiring runs.

 

Appropriateness. The security adopted must be appropriate to the level of risk.

 

Compliance. The installation of security equipment, like all changes to listed buildings, must comply with all legal requirements, including listed budding consent, building standards, fire regulations and certification procedures.

 

Security Personnel

 

Security staff

 

Atticus Risk can provide security staff to fulfil all your requirements, whether it’s one person for a single event or a team for a longer period. Our aim is to “raise the bar” when it comes to providing security personnel. All our staff are correctly licensed by the SIA, trained and highly experienced and will be given site training and orientation before starting to work for you.

 

We recruit officers who are intelligent, extremely well-presented, whether in civilian clothes or uniform, and can communicate knowledgeably and, more important articulately with the client and their visitors. 

There may be times when you wish to have a less obvious security presence at your premises or event. This is no problem for Atticus Risk who can provide discreet, well-mannered, plain clothes personnel. Your guests may not even realise “security” is there yet you will have the reassurance knowing that your security and safety is being looked after.

 

 We pride ourselves on looking only at the security ability and potential of a member of staff and on ensuring that our culture of the unrelenting pursuit of excellence is part of their make-up.

 

Examples of our range of expertise

 

In the past year Atticus Risk personnel have provided security at:

 

·         A Unesco Listed World Heritage Site

·         A number of high profile equestrian sporting events and the attendant social functions

·         European tour by a well-known orchestra

·         A fine arts and antiques auction

·         Storage and movement of an historic and valuable fine art collection known to have been targeted by a notorious international gang of art thieves (okay, that’s over the top)

·         Visit of a very high ranking US member of government to UK seminar

·         Private hospital site whilst a member of foreign royalty was undergoing treatment 

 

How we ensure the best possible service is provided

 

Staff

First of all, all our staff are vetted, trained and licensed to the UK Security Industry Authority standard. However, we take that basic requirement a stage further and ensure that our staff are intelligent and articulate. Where possible we select more mature individuals who have experience in police or military backgrounds and are aware of how to deal with the public in a non-confrontational way.

 

Knowledge

Our staff are also knowledgeable in the area of the event they are covering; for instance we have introduced a one-day training programme of horse and stable management for our personnel covering equestrian events. We also regularly monitor web-sites covering the world of arts and antiques. We also maintain close and regular liaison with police and other organisations and individuals dealing with rural affairs and countryside matters.

 

Preparation

Before any of our staff are deployed to your site or event, a member of the management team will visit the location and discuss requirements with you. This may include such matters as how visible you want security to be, how do you want certain incidents dealt with, your level of tolerance to “high spirits” or anti-social behaviour etc.

 

The manager will also carry out a threat/risk assessment of the site or event and outline a security plan for you to agree. There will also be a health and safety assessment carried out and for bigger and long-term tasks a set of assignment instructions will be drawn up for you to read and agree.

 

The assignment instructions or the plan will then form the basis of the site briefing given to all personnel before deployment. 

 

Uniform and your desired image

Atticus Risk will discuss with you and agree the type of image you wish your security staff to portray. For a dinner engagement, party or other entertainment held in-doors where the weather is not factor you may  wish to have very low profile security. In this case it may be that Atticus Risk staff wear black tie or lounge suit with our female operators wearing a suitable equivalent.

 

In other cases we can provide various uniform options from blazer, shirt and tie and slacks to a more robust outdoor form of dress consisting of weatherproof jacket, fleece, trousers and boots.

 

In all cases Atticus Risk conforms to staff welfare and Health and Safety requirements.   

 

 

Training

 

Certain training providers use pre-written, dated ‘off-the-shelf’ training courses which they deliver to clients when required.

 

Atticus Risk Management understands the need to discuss and update clients’ requirements, agree the desired outcome whilst taking into account key information:

 

     - the recipients’ previous knowledge and experience

     - the environment in which they work

     - the most effective way of presenting the training and

     - what the clients’ staff themselves want to achieve.

 

The Atticus training experience is tailor-made for the individual customer.

 

Below is a list of training packages that Atticus Risk Management can provide to improve and further your staff’s effectiveness:

 

     - Personal safety and security awareness

     - Improving communications skills

     - Dealing with conflict in the commercial environment

     - Business continuity

     - On-the-Job coaching

     - Horse and stable management for security/event staff

     - Traffic management

     - Security risk analysis

     - Understanding security systems

     - Bomb threat awareness

     - Dealing with activist/extremist threats in the commercial environment

 

Travel and Overseas Security

 

Lack of situational awareness and threats from doping, theft and other crime to horses, personnel, and equipment when competing or travelling abroad overseas can severely hinder the career of a rider, and even in extreme cases ruin businesses and reputations. Atticus offers support to riders wishing to compete overseas or owners wishing to send horses abroad on short term visits. Travel profiling, preparation and awareness briefings are important in alerting key staff to the possible dangers they face in doing business or competing in unfamiliar surroundings. We can offer group and individual low level annual training programmes to include all of the above as well as individual packages tailored to specific countries or threats.

 

We have developed a specialist package for studs wishing to syndicate or loan stallions to overseas clients. In addition to providing localised security support both in transit and on arrival and during the duration of the contract, Atticus can also undertake due diligence checks on potential overseas partners, as well as provide clients with full threat, risk and security surveys on any sites to be used prior to the visit.

 

As well as security support, additional logistical advice and services can be made available. Over the past two years we have been pleased to provide security and specialist logistical support to a number of owners and riders competing internationally in eventing, show jumping and dressage.

 

Intelligence Gathering and Media Monitoring

 

Atticus Risk consultants compile a monthly report of extremist activity in the UK. The report is geared toward our target industries, and provides subscribers to the service with an up to date summary of actions recently undertaken by extremists targeting their business sectors. At present we are monitoring the activities of more than forty domestic groups campaigning on issues as such as welfare in horse racing, hunting, foie gras use in restaurants, animal testing, fuel prices, and fathers rights. A recent copy of the report is available on request.

 

Surveillance

 

A full range of surveillance services are available for Atticus Risk clients. All of our surveillance consultants, both male and female, are from a United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF), UK security services or specialist police background, and have extensive experience conducting specialist surveillance operations around the world. Our consultants have considerable skill in providing surveillance operations in the following key areas:

 

·         Insurance claim verification

 

·         Due diligence

 

·         Company theft & disloyalty

 

·         Protective Surveillance

 

·         Anti Fly tipping, illegal waste disposal

 

·         Monitoring of contracts, injunctions and Anti Social Behaviour Orders.