Major events to see more security soon
Security is an ever-growing concern in a globalised world, and the EU is striving to strengthen and unify its security measures on different levels.This also involves security at key events, an issue addressed by the EU-funded project 'Coordinating national research programmes and policies on security at major events in Europe' (EU-SEC II). Building on a previous four-year initiative, the project is investigating research programmes and policies on security to eventually establish the European House of Major Events Security (the House). Representing a virtual environment that would promote common research programmes and policies with end-user requirements in mind, the House would take security at major events to an unprecedented level. In this context, the project is bringing advanced managerial skills to security cooperation. It is providing strategic research and technology models at the national and European levels, fostering a more sustainable model of security cooperation. This involves encouraging and coordinating all technical, financial and human resources to overcome fragmentation of ideas and the duplication of efforts. Importantly, EU-SEC II is bringing together private security technology providers and national security practitioners to improve development and supply of effective security technologies. Gathering 24 partners in government, police and organisations such as EUROPOL, the project has already identified needs and priorities for developing cost-effective security tools in EU nations. It also provided a research roadmap to relevant EU institutions. Once the House is fully operational, it will be able to provide EU governments with a unified security planning model, best practices in public–private partnerships and media management guidelines for major events. It will also be able to provide ethical and operational standards for security, as well as networking and training. In this respect, the House is slated to become a Europe-wide tool that funds common research activities and related initiatives. The project's work so far has involved improving knowledge among stakeholders, coordinating transnational activities to respond to EU and national demands, and joint activities to elaborate common research policies. This is already leading to stronger cooperation and coordination among all relevant security stakeholders. Other expected project benefits include better regional cooperation among EU law enforcement agencies for security during major events, unified policing methods, and better relations with the media. Europe will ultimately increase its reputation as a safe and secure destination to host global events, improving crime prevention, putting citizens at ease and impacting the economy positively.
Keywords
Security, major events, government, police, EUROPOL, research collaboration, crime prevention
