Lord Stevens Warns Against Security Overload
Lord Stevens, Chair of Monitor Quest and former Commissioner of the London Metropolitan Police, has warned the organisers of London 2012 that security at the event must not become ‘overreaching or oppressive’ in an exclusive interview with Sport Industry TV.
Lord Stevens, speaking in the first of a series of video interviews, insisted that while security is a vital part of major event preparation, it was important that it supported the sporting atmosphere rather than countering it.
He told Sport Industry TV: ‘It is absolutely essential that security is not seen to be the main event and main activity on any of these sporting events. If you do that people are going to get frightened, and if you do that you are going to get in the way of people competing for the general good of sport. Of course security needs to be there for people to feel safe. But it mustn’t be overreaching and it mustn’t be oppressive.’
Check out Lord Stevens’ comments on security at Sport Industry TV.
Lord Stevens continued: ‘You have to have an event that is welcoming and you have to be careful not to frighten people away, and that’s the trick. Of course, people need to feel secure so they know a certain level of security is necessary to do that. But you have to be very careful not to over-emphasise the security side of it. If you do that, it will be counterproductive and you’ll be putting yourself in the position of the terrorist – by frightening people. Let’s not make sure that we assist them with that.
‘Security should be behind the scenes, extremely effective and using all the technology available, but it should ensure that people come and enjoy the event without worrying if a bomb is going to go off under their seat.’
Earlier this year, Monitor Quest, the integrity management firm led by Lord Stevens, unified its sport-related expertise to create Monitor Quest Sport.
The move comes as sporting bodies become increasingly aware of the need for security across the board, including with integrity issues. Monitor Quest Sport is playing a key role advising on the development of robust governance structures and comprehensive anti-corruption training and education programmes for athletes and their support staff.
Lord Stevens also spoke to Sport Industry TV about ethics and integrity in sport, and the creation of Monitor Quest Sport. Check back soon for the latest updates.
