1705 Consultancy

23/06/2026

Day 2 of our SFJ Awards Level 3 Counter Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness course today and one topic has stood out above all others.

The concept of layered security.

Many organisations still look for a single solution to keep people safe. More CCTV. More security staff. More barriers.

In reality, effective protective security works like an onion. Multiple layers working together to reduce risk and increase resilience.

Risk assessments, trained staff, hostile reconnaissance awareness, physical security measures, communications, emergency procedures and tested response plans all play a part. If one layer fails, others remain in place.

Just as importantly, organisations must consider what happens when an incident occurs. Who takes command? How is information shared? What are the evacuation, invacuation or lockdown procedures? How will emergency services be supported?

The strongest organisations are not always those with the biggest security budgets. They are often the ones who have invested time in planning, training and exercising their people.

Protective security is not about creating fear. It is about creating confidence.

If you are responsible for a venue, event, school, attraction or business and would like to understand how layered security and effective response planning could strengthen your organisation, get in touch.

📞 0333 360 1705

📧 [email protected]

🌐 1705consultancy.co.uk

22/06/2026

Today we welcomed another cohort onto the SFJ Awards Level 3 Award in Counter Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness.

One of the most rewarding parts of delivering this qualification is seeing professionals from different sectors come together with the same goal. To better protect their people, their organisations and the communities they serve.

The reality is that terrorism, hostile acts and major incidents are not issues that only affect stadiums, airports or city centres. Schools, hospitality venues, visitor attractions, event organisers, healthcare providers and businesses of every size all have a responsibility to understand risk and prepare for the unexpected.

This nationally recognised qualification remains the only counter terrorism qualification endorsed by Counter Terrorism Policing and is aligned to the requirements of Martyn’s Law. It provides practical knowledge, real world context and actionable measures that organisations can implement immediately.

A huge thank you to everyone attending this week’s course. The discussions, experience and engagement in the room today have been exceptional.

Our next course takes place in Chelmsford, Essex from 20th to 24th July 2026 and places are already being reserved.

If you have responsibility for security, safety, operations, facilities, events, education, hospitality or venue management and would like to understand how this qualification can benefit you or your organisation, get in touch.

📞 0333 360 1705

📧 [email protected]

🌐 1705consultancy.co.uk

Protecting people starts with preparation. The best time to prepare is before you need to.

21/06/2026

One of the biggest risks in event safety and security is not the threat outside your gates. It is the assumption that your suppliers will always deliver.

The issues being reported around security staffing at World Cup matches in Toronto should be a wake up call for organisers everywhere. Reports suggest that significant numbers of contracted security staff failed to attend for duty, leaving police officers having to step in and cover operational gaps. Whilst the matches continued safely, the reality is that the tournament is only just getting started.

As the competition progresses, the stakes increase. Crowds become larger. Emotions become higher. Rivalries intensify. Media attention grows. The profile of fixtures changes and with that comes a changing risk picture. What may be considered a routine group stage match can quickly become a completely different challenge when knockout football arrives and the eyes of the world are watching.

This is why I have never been a huge believer in placing all responsibility with a single provider. It may appear simpler on paper, but it can also create a single point of failure. When that provider experiences recruitment issues, transport problems, sickness, industrial action or operational challenges, who picks up the pieces?

The strongest events I have worked on have always been built around trusted partnerships, experienced leadership and layered resilience. Security providers, safety teams, medical providers, traffic management specialists and event operations working together under a robust command structure with clear oversight and accountability.

At 1705 Consultancy, this is exactly where we add value. Our experienced team of Event Managers, Incident Safety Officers, Blue Light Liaison Officers and operational specialists work alongside organisers and suppliers to provide the oversight, coordination and resilience that major events demand. Whether your event attracts 500 people or 500,000 people, we help bring the right people together, challenge assumptions, identify vulnerabilities and ensure that if something does go wrong, there is a plan and a capability to recover quickly.

Because resilience is not built by hoping a supplier turns up.

It is built by having experienced people in place who know exactly what to do if they do not.

If you are planning an event and would like an independent review of your safety, security or command arrangements, get in touch. We would be happy to have a conversation over a coffee or Teams call and explore how we can help.

15/06/2026

If Martyn’s Law, protective security, emergency preparedness or counter terrorism responsibilities sit within your role, now is the time to act.

Our next SFJ Awards Level 3 Award in Counter Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness takes place in Chelmsford from 22 to 26 June 2026 and we have secured a small number of last minute places.

This is the only nationally recognised counter terrorism qualification aligned to Counter Terrorism Policing guidance and supports organisations looking to strengthen their preparedness, resilience and understanding of their responsibilities under Martyn’s Law.

Delivered by experienced former police and military professionals, the course goes far beyond awareness training. Delegates leave with practical knowledge they can immediately apply to venues, events, hospitality, education, retail, public spaces and corporate environments.

Due to a small number of late availability places, we are able to offer special last minute pricing and group booking discounts for this course.

If cost has been the barrier, get in touch. We will do our best to make attendance achievable.

Whether you are a security professional, venue manager, event organiser, responsible person, safety advisor or business leader, this qualification could be one of the most valuable investments you make this year.

📞 0333 360 1705

📧 [email protected]

🌐 1705consultancy.co.uk

Send me a direct message or comment “CT” below and I will personally provide the course information and discounted pricing options.

11/06/2026

You cannot protect what you do not understand.

Today we are spending the day with colleagues from Eastern Region Special Operations Unit, Counter Terrorism Policing and National Counter Terrorism Security Office at the Regional Engagement Day.

For us, professional development is not something that happens once a year. It is about continually learning, listening and understanding the evolving threat landscape. Events like this provide invaluable opportunities to hear the latest updates, share experiences, build relationships and gain insight from those working at the forefront of protective security and counter terrorism.

As consultants, trainers and advisers, it is our responsibility to ensure the advice, guidance and training we provide to clients remains current, relevant and aligned to national best practice.

The conversations we have today will directly support the organisations, venues, schools, businesses and event operators we work with across the UK.

If your organisation is preparing for Martyn’s Law, reviewing its security arrangements or looking to develop competent staff, we also deliver the nationally recognised SFJ Awards Level 3 Award in Counter Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness qualification. This is the qualification recognised within Section 27 guidance and provides delegates with practical knowledge to improve preparedness, resilience and protective security.

If you would like to discuss training, risk assessments, exercises or preparedness planning, get in touch for a coffee or Teams chat.

09/06/2026

Today is one of those days where the headlines stop you in your tracks.

Last night, a man suffered serious injuries following a horrific knife attack in Belfast. Today, reports are emerging of multiple people injured following a stabbing incident at a school in Manchester. Both incidents remain under investigation and many questions will understandably remain unanswered for some time.

As someone who has spent much of my professional life dealing with critical incidents, my thoughts are not with the headlines, the politics or the commentary that inevitably follows.

They are with the victims.

They are with the families who receive the phone call no parent, partner or loved one ever wants to receive.

They are with the teachers, school staff, emergency service workers and hospital teams who find themselves dealing with situations that most people hope they never have to witness.

And they are with the communities left trying to make sense of events that can change lives in a matter of seconds.

There will be a time for investigations. There will be a time for lessons to be identified and discussions about what could have been done differently.

Today feels like a day for compassion.

I hope those injured make a full recovery. I hope those affected receive the support they need. And I hope we never become so accustomed to these stories that we stop recognising the human impact behind them.

Stay safe. Look after one another.

06/06/2026

🏁 Monaco doesn’t leave much room for error.

Millions watch the drivers navigate some of the tightest streets in motorsport at incredible speeds. What most people don’t see is the planning, preparation, risk management, communications and training that sit behind every lap.

Success is rarely about how people perform when everything is going well.

It’s about how they respond when something unexpected happens.

The same applies to businesses, venues, events and organisations across the UK.

Whether it is a critical incident, a security concern, a medical emergency or a major disruption, the organisations that perform best are usually the ones that have invested in training before they needed it.

At 1705 Consultancy, we deliver practical training that helps organisations prepare for the moments that matter. From our nationally recognised Level 3 Counter Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness qualification through to incident management, emergency planning, behaviour detection, first aid and bespoke resilience training.

Because when the pressure is on, people don’t rise to the occasion.

They fall back on their training.

If you’d like to discuss how we can support your team, venue or organisation, let’s have a conversation.

Book accredited security and safety training courses. View upcoming dates for FREC, HEAT, de-escalation, first aid and more.

03/06/2026

🚨 The first few seconds matter.

Whether it is a medical emergency, fire, suspicious package, missing child, violent incident or developing security threat, the biggest challenge is often not the response. It is getting the right information to the right people quickly enough to make a difference.

That is why we are pleased to announce the launch of our new Share999 page on our website.

Share999 is a powerful emergency communication and incident management platform that allows organisations to share real time information, precise locations and critical updates with staff, responders and those directly affected by an incident. The platform has already helped organisations improve emergency response, situational awareness and life safety outcomes across a wide range of sectors.

A special thank you and recognition must go to Erik Endress and the team behind Share911. Drawing on decades of first responder experience, they developed an innovative solution that has transformed how organisations communicate during emergencies and critical incidents.

At 1705 Consultancy we are proud to be supporting organisations in understanding how technology such as Share999 can complement emergency plans, Martyn’s Law compliance, incident management arrangements and wider business resilience strategies.

The question is simple.

If an incident happened on your site today, how quickly could you notify the people who need to know?

Find out more at our new Share999 page and feel free to get in touch if you would like a demonstration or discussion about how it could support your organisation.

Share999 UK | Emergency Alert & Mass Notification System | 1705 Consultancy 🇬🇧 UK Exclusive Supplier Safety Begins With Connection When every person on site is connected — staff, visitors and contractors — your leaders have real-time control, a clear evidence trail, and the confidence to a...

02/06/2026

Great conversations. Great people. Great opportunities.

We’re proud to be at the Rochford & Rayleigh Job Fair today, talking to visitors about career development, professional training, accredited qualifications and freelance opportunities with 1705 Consultancy.

Whether you’re looking to enhance your skills, gain recognised qualifications, explore opportunities in safety, security and risk management, or simply have a conversation about where your career could go next, come and say hello.

If you’re attending today, drop by our stand. We’d love to meet you.

02/06/2026

Henry Nowak deserved better. So does every police officer.

I’ve spent years in policing. I understand the pressure officers face at 2am — conflicting accounts, adrenaline running high, split-second decisions. I say this because what follows is not an attack on frontline officers. It’s a challenge to the culture that put them in that position.

Henry was stabbed, dying, and told police exactly what had happened. He wasn’t believed. And we need to be honest about why — British policing has allowed a cultural bias to develop where the loudest accusation, particularly one involving racism, dictates the initial response. That is not policing by evidence. That is policing by fear.

Fear of the media. Fear of misconduct proceedings. Fear of being the officer who made the front page for the wrong reasons.

That fear wasn’t created by frontline officers. It was created by a generation of leadership that prioritised perception management over operational integrity. When those at the top lead by what they think people want to see, rather than what sound judgement demands — this is what happens. And leadership failures cost lives.

In safety and security, we say it constantly — culture eats procedure for breakfast. You can have the best policies in the world, but if the culture quietly teaches people to manage optics rather than manage risk, you are building towards catastrophic failure. It is never a question of if. Only when.

Strong leadership means creating environments where people are not afraid to call things as they see them. Where challenging a narrative or raising an uncomfortable truth is expected — not career-limiting. Where the standard isn’t what will this look like but what is actually right.

Stick your head above the parapet before an incident. Not after. Because after is too late — and the hardest version of that is looking a grieving family in the eye, knowing that someone saw the cultural drift, knew the environment was distorting judgement, and chose the path of least resistance.

If you lead people — in policing, in security, in any high-stakes environment — Henry’s death is a case study in what happens when we stop leading with integrity and start leading with optics.

The IOPC investigation must be rigorous and fully transparent. But every leader in this space should already be asking: if something went catastrophically wrong tomorrow, could you look that family in the eye and say you called it as you saw it?

If the answer is anything other than yes — that’s where the work starts.

Henry Nowak. 18 years old. Don’t let his death be in vain.

Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds tells Sky News "there are clearly going to be lessons that have to be learnt" over the case.