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Mother of Manchester terror attack victim calls for protective security improvements

Figen Murray - the mother of Manchester Arena attack victim Martyn Hett - opened the third annual Step Change Summit at the Farnborough Exhibition Centre, explaining the devastating personal consequences of the attack at the Arianna Grande concert and reminding the audience why the Step Change Programme is so important.

She said: "As the mother of a victim of terror, I don’t have the power to prevent other parents or families having to bury their loved ones like I did. But you do."

The Step Change Programme aims to support delivery of the Protect and Prepare objectives of the CONTEST strategy by creating a ‘whole of society’ approach between police, government and the private sector.

A year on from 2018’s ‘Call to Action’ for businesses and industry to take a more active role in the protective security of the UK, this year’s Summit took stock of the progress made so far, but more importantly looked to the future of Counter Terrorism Policing’s relationship with the private sector.

National Coordinator for Protect and Prepare, Chief Superintendent Nick Aldworth, said: "2017 was about fighting fires, 2018 was about consolidating what we had learned during that difficult time, and this year is about looking to the future and taking the next step."

Security Minister, Ben Wallace MP, launched an interactive online platform - a £10million project funded by Pool Re, designed to strengthen collaboration between business, industry and the public sector. The platform will give businesses access to expert advice, training and timely and accurate information in the event of an attack.

The Senior National Coordinator for Protect and Prepare, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Lucy D’Orsi, said: “At this Step Change Summit we need to look at how the public and private sector shape our future relationship, not to see industry as simply a commercial partner but instead how they can work alongside us and co-fund protective security for the future.

"The relationship that we have with Pool Re shows that when we integrate together, we can take some great steps forward in keeping the public safer.

"This new platform will allow businesses to access credible information 24/7, connect users to experts, provide accredited online training and send direct messages in the event of an attack – strengthening our frontline against the unprecedented threat."

 

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