Lynne Breen, OCS security and customer service manager at Centre:MK, will be awarded a Local Policing Area Commander’s Commendation from Thames Valley Police (TVP), which will be presented on the 14th of March at the Double Tree by Hilton, Milton Keynes. The commendation has been awarded to Breen for her work organising, developing, and delivering bespoke anti-terrorism training to shopping centres, councils, colleges, and universities across the South East region, and delivering to retail group managers from across the UK. She has also been a driving force across the whole of Milton Keynes shopping centre promoting and delivering improvements to physical security measures.
In 2013, the shocking attack at the Westgate shopping centre in Nairobi and the murder of Lee Rigby in Woolwich prompted Breen to instigate a meeting with TVP to discuss potential training for Centre:MK. Working with the counter terrorism security advisers at TVP, Breen developed a bespoke training package specifically to help mitigate the threat to shopping centre environments.
“Lynne’s expertise and depth of knowledge of the retail industry, and her role as security manager at one of the busiest retail sites in the UK, ensured that the workshop was pertinent to the needs of the proposed audience,” said the CTSAs. “She has also maintained a strong working relationship with the Thames Valley Police tactical firearms team, ensuring that any response to the site would be assisted by them having an increased knowledge of that site.”
Jane Sheard, CEO UK facilities services for OCS, commented: “I am very pleased that Lynne is being recognised for her initiative and all the hard work she has done. Her dedication, and the exceptionally positive feedback she has received, reflects OCS’s commitment to providing excellent facilities services and ensuring the safety of staff and customers.”