Police and security experts were on hand yesterday to provide valuable advice to businesses in the North West, as the relaunched Manchester Security event returned to the city.
Organised by Manchester City Centre Crime Prevention Panel with the support from Greater Manchester Police, Manchester City Council and Atmaana Business Consulting, the event succeeded in helping businesses protect their people and property from crime and terrorism.
This year’s event was the best-attended in the event’s history, attracting over 200 delegates, including representatives from well-known city-centre retailers, banks and public and private sector organisations.
The event was opened by Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan QPM, with Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Jim Battle introducing the speaker line up.
Detective Chief Superintendent Tony Mole, the head of the North-West Counter Terrorism unit delivered an update on Counter Terror issues. Also presenting was Superintendent Marcus Noden of Greater Manchester Police, discussing city centre policing challenges, and James Brown, representing event sponsor Selectamark plc.
Julie Edwards, Operations Manager for Selfridges, of Exchange Square was presented with the prestigious GMP Business Crime Coordinator of the Year Award by ACC Garry Shewan. Julie has provided support to crime reduction strategies and operations throughout her 30-year career in the field of retail security.
Commenting on the award, Chief Inspector Gareth Parkin said “Julie continues to be a wonderful supporter of local city centre policing; always the first to offer assistance to any issues that may arise. Julie’s contribution to city centre security is unrivalled, and winning the GMP Business Crime Watch Coordinator of the Year Award is thoroughly deserved. I, along with GMP and the Manchester business community, thank Julie for her continued support.”
Manchester City Centre Crime Prevention Panel pledged to continue to fulfil its mission statement of “Helping the Police and Supporting the Pubic” and will be organising a follow-up event in Spring 2017.
Paul King Chair of the Panel commented: “The Panel are only too pleased to help deliver this event for the city of Manchester, and we are delighted at the response it has received.”