The 2014 Commonwealth Games represents the largest security operation Scotland, and in particular Glasgow, has faced in recent history. The Games ideology is closely linked to the key themes of the Scottish Government, amongst which is ‘safer and stronger communities’.
The 2014 Games aims to reflect the friendliness and openness of the Scottish people whilst at the same time providing a safe, secure and successful event. These apparently conflicting objectives can be met successfully if there is early consideration of the security requirements. Experience demonstrates that retrospect measures will inevitably undermine those principles.
For the overall success of The Games it is vital that security measures can be embedded throughout the entire process from design, through build, to delivery of the event itself and onto the legacy. Early awareness and consideration of security issues and requirements will also contribute to the long term success and sustainability of the new communities created.
The Scottish Police Service, the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) and the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI) can support architects, engineers, planners and developers in the creation of safe and secure environments.
Secured by Design
Having proven the benefits of SBD through Academic research by Glasgow Caledonian University Centre for the Built and Natural Environment, the partnership of Strathclyde Police, ACPO CPI and GHA have independent evidence of the benefits of Secured By Design. The challenge thereafter lies in gaining access to key strategic forums to allow a police influence over the design and security requirements of the 2014 Commonwealth Games Village, and by doing so bring Secured By Design onto the international stage, by developing the first SBD accredited Commonwealth Games Village.
Incidents of international terrorism occurring nationally conspired to push security in the built environment up the agenda. While Counter Terrorism Security Advisors would rightly retain responsibility for aspects of the Critical National Infrastructure a significant proportion of ALO projects fall within the ‘soft targets and crowded places’ classification, and delivery of the protect stand of the CONTEST strategy in such areas is delivered by ALOs.
Throughout a rolling programme of continuous improvement, key project milestones were established to help visualise what success would look like when delivered and drive the project forward. The methodology employed over the course of the project has been to build the knowledge base and professional capacity among practicing ALO’s to drive up
standards of service delivery. This in turn will be supported by promotion of the service in a strategic context.
As quality was driven up by the new processes, confidence in the service grew accompanied by increased in demand. Representation for Strathclyde Police was secured on a number of key strategic groups, including the Clyde Waterfront Strategic Partnership and the Glasgow Urban Design Panel.
Strathclyde Police also engaged with the redrafting of Glasgow’s local development plan, City Plan. This led to a number of significant inclusions in support of the service, including the first explicit references to ‘Secured by Design’ in a local development plan for Glasgow. The established partnership became particularly beneficial when the Strathclyde Police were invited to become a member of Glasgow City Council project team to assess the bids to develop the Games Village and devise the security requirements for the procurement process.
As part of the Council procurement process, Strathclyde Police assessed proposals from each consortium bidding to gain the preferred contactors status. The proposals included plans in relation to both Security in Overlay Mode (games time) and Secured By Design in Legacy mode. The project team provided constructive feedback to all bidders in relation to the requirements of Secured By Design, and advice to Glasgow City Council and the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee on the likelihood of each proposal achieving Secured By Design accreditation.
Throughout this time Strathclyde Police had the full support of Centre of Protection of National Infrastructure CPNI, in providing briefings and accredited training to key partners, ie Architects, Planning Officers, Roads Engineers. The level of joint training undertaken significantly contributed to the ease of communication and level of support from partner agencies. It also led to some of the key success achieved in relation to incorporating protective security measures in the design stage.
Legacy
The 2014 Commonwealth Games represents the biggest sports event Scotland can attract and is second only to the Olympic Games in terms of global significance.
The build programme for the 2014 Commonwealth Games is already underway and will comprise 13 major sporting venues, 70% of which is already in place. The centre piece of the Games will undoubtedly be the Athlete’s Games Village. This new development will be designed to accommodate 7,500 competitors and 1,500 officials.
The Games Village will be located in the Dalmarnock area of Glasgow and comprises a 38.5 Hectare site. The existing area is, in essence, a brown field site with a light industry history.
The plan for the village draws heavily on that developed for Melbourne for the 2006 Games, which was deemed by participants to be the ‘best games venue ever’. The village will comprise three main zones, namely athletes’ residential, international zone and village services including transport hub. For the purposes of the Games event the village will provide about 1,000 residential units. In delivering the legacy there will be in excess of 1200 homes for both the public and private sectors all of which will achieve Secured by Design Accreditation. For the Games all residential space provision within these units will be bedrooms, toilet, and shower facilities. Catering will be provided through temporary structures.
The International zone will provide a ceremonial area, shopping complex, media facilities, entertainment complex, conference and meeting areas, VIP reception and serve as the Security Management Centre for the entire site area.
The Service zone will accommodate a 2,000 seat restaurant, religious centre, gymnasium and training facilities, Games Management Centre and facilities for emergency services.
The ALO unit met with Sports Scotland in respect of the build programmes for the other sporting venues associated with the Games. This level of engagement provides the opportunity for delivery of the Architectural Liaison service for all venues and to consider the preventative and protective security requirements for each site. Every opportunity was taken to align build standards with CPTED and SBD principles.
Post Games Legacy
Part of the main legacy from the Games will be the new residential area in Dalmarnock and the associated transport, commercial and leisure infrastructure. Following the Games the greater part of the International and Service zones will be dismantled and an additional 500 residential units built. All existing residential units will be retro fitted for normal family living.
In addition to the obvious physical legacy of the Games it is vital to consider this element within a wider physical, socio and economic legacy. It is therefore important that as much as possible of the investment made in the Games is retained.
There is little doubt that the 2014 Games can serve as a springboard for the future development and well being of Glasgow’s East End whereby it can become an exemplar in terms of a community that reflects the Government’s aspiration of a Wealthier, Healthier, Safer and Stronger, Smarter and Greener Scotland. This also has the potential to become a flagship Secured By Design development.
Further information
Contact Inspector B Graham, Force ALO, Strathclyde Police HQ, 173 Pitt St, Glasgow G2 4JS or 0141 532 2349.
