Threats in the UKThe UK’s security landscape is facing unprecedented pressure due to a multitude of challenges, ranging from the shortage of trained security officers and police officers to rising threats posed by terrorism, riots, and other forms of public disorder. The demand for capacity building and investment in the security workforce is more critical than ever to safeguard the public, protect critical infrastructure, and maintain law and order in a fast-evolving threat environment.
Shortage of Security Officers
One of the most pressing issues is the ongoing shortage of qualified security officers in the UK. The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has acknowledged that the sector has struggled to attract new talent due to the cost and time involved in acquiring the necessary qualifications. The ongoing SIA licensing requirements, while essential for ensuring professional standards, have inadvertently added further strain on recruitment (SIA, 2022).The security industry plays a pivotal role in various sectors, including retail, healthcare, transport, and corporate environments. However, without enough personnel to meet demand, private companies and public institutions alike are left exposed to security risks, from theft and vandalism to large-scale security breaches. The shortage has also led to increased overtime and burnout among current staff, which raises concerns about the quality of security services being delivered (Institute of Security and Resilience Studies, 2023).
Shortage of Skills in the Security Industry
The shortage of security officers is compounded by a skills gap that has developed over time. Modern security roles demand more than just physical presence; they require expertise in areas such as cybersecurity, counter terrorism, and crisis management. A 2023 by GuardPass study by the found that over 40% of security professionals feel they lack the necessary training to deal with the increasingly sophisticated nature of contemporary threats, such as cyberattacks and terrorism (Resources for Employers, 2023). Cybersecurity breaches are a growing concern, with 39% of businesses in the UK experiencing an attack in the last year alone, according to the UK Government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2023. As more businesses and institutions digitalise their operations, there is an increasing need for security personnel who are adept in both physical and cyber security measures. However, the training and upskilling of existing officers to handle these new threats have lagged behind, leaving critical infrastructure and sensitive data vulnerable (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, 2023). The need for comprehensive training is further highlighted by the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO), which has repeatedly stressed that many security officers are ill-prepared to handle counter-terrorism tasks in high-risk public areas such as shopping centres, airports, and transport hubs. While counter-terrorism preparedness has become a cornerstone of public safety strategies, it requires a highly skilled and knowledgeable workforce to be effective (NaCTSO, 2022).
Shortage of Police Officers
The strain on the UK’s security infrastructure is not limited to the private sector. The UK police forces are also experiencing staffing issues, with numbers failing to keep pace with demand. As of September 2023, there were 149,164 officers across the 43 territorial police forces in England and Wales. This number is insufficient to deal with the increasing complexity and volume of modern policing tasks (Home Office, 2023). The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) has highlighted that many officers are overworked and under-resourced, leading to high levels of stress and burnout (PFEW, 2022). Policing today requires handling a range of issues, from organised crime and terrorism to dealing with the repercussions of public protests and civil disorder. However, with the current workforce stretched thin, response times have slowed, and the quality of service delivery has been impacted.
Current Threats: Riots and Civil Unrest
In recent years, the UK has witnessed a surge in civil unrest and riots, further straining both the police force and the private security industry. Events such as the Kill the Bill protests in 2021, which resulted in widespread clashes between protesters and police, and the cost-of-living riots in 2023, have highlighted the fragility of public order and the need for robust security and law enforcement responses (BBC News, 2023). The riots in Leicester in 2022 are another example of escalating civil disorder. Tensions between different community groups spilled over into violent confrontations that required a significant police presence, but the scale of the disorder proved difficult to manage with the limited resources available (The Guardian, 2022). Public anger over economic issues, including rising energy prices and inflation, has also contributed to increased levels of unrest, with further protests and riots expected in the coming months, as experts warn that the situation could worsen due to the cost-of-living crisis (Institute for Public Policy Research, 2023).
Threats of Terrorism and Preparedness
Terrorism continues to pose a significant threat to the UK, with the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) keeping the threat level at substantial, meaning an attack is likely. The UK has been a target for both international terrorist groups and lone-actor terrorists in recent years, with incidents such as the Fishmongers’ Hall attack in 2019 and the Streatham High Road attack in 2020 underscoring the dangers posed by extremist ideologies (JTAC, 2023; BBC News, 2020). However, a lack of adequately trained security personnel has hampered efforts to mitigate these threats. The government’s Protect Duty (also known as Martyn’s Law) is expected to impose stricter security requirements on venues and public spaces, but without an adequately trained workforce, implementing these measures effectively will be a challenge (Home Office, 2022).
The Critical Need for Capacity Building
In light of these challenges, it is evident that the UK’s security sector needs. significant capacity building to fill the gaps in both personnel and skills. The current demand for well- educated and well-trained security officers far exceeds the supply, which leaves both public and private institutions vulnerable to the growing array of security threats. Collaboration between government agencies, private sector companies, and educational institutions will be essential in addressing this shortfall. Security companies must invest in both the recruitment of new personnel and the upskilling of existing staff, while the government needs to streamline licensing processes to make security training more accessible to a broader range of individuals. Without immediate and decisive action, the UK will continue to face significant risks from crime, terrorism, and public disorder. (Alastal & Shaqfa, 2023).
This body of research clearly outlines the urgent need for more robust capacity building in the UK’s security sector. Addressing the shortage of skilled personnel is not just about filling positions but ensuring that security professionals are equipped to meet the modern challenges facing the nation. In 2024, the UK has seen a rise in public disorder and civil unrest due to a range of factors, such as economic stress and political tensions. The ongoing cost-of-living crisis, marked by rising inflation, energy prices, and stagnant wages, has fuelled significant dissatisfaction among large sections of the population. The economic downturn has hit many communities hard, leading to increasing numbers of protests, some of which have escalated into riots.
One notable instance of civil unrest in 2024 occurred in London and several other major cities, where protests over inflation and government austerity measures spiralled into violent confrontations with the police. Demonstrations initially focused on the lack of affordable housing, growing food insecurity, and rising energy costs. However, as frustrations grew, protests became more frequent and volatile, culminating in several riots in inner-city areas, where tensions were already high due to social inequalities and economic hardship. The impact of these riots has been severe, with looting, vandalism, and clashes with police becoming commonplace. The Metropolitan Police struggled to maintain control, highlighting a growing concern that police resources are being stretched thin. According to reports, over 500 arrests were made during the riots, but the incidents have brought attention to the need for additional support from both security personnel and other forces to manage such events (The Guardian, 2024).
These riots are part of a broader wave of social unrest that has also been seen in other parts of the UK, including Birmingham, Manchester, and Bristol. In these cities, similar grievances related to economic hardship, coupled with the perceived inaction of the government, have led to tensions spilling over into violence. This increase in public disorder underscores the need for well-trained security officers to support the police in maintaining public safety and restoring order during periods of heightened tension (BBC News, 2024). In particular, the riots have exposed gaps in the UK’s ability to manage large- scale disturbances, as police forces are often overworked and under-resourced. With crime and disorder rising in urban areas, there is a pressing need for collaborative security efforts that involve not only the police but also private security companies and local community groups. These riots have served as a stark reminder that the UK’s security apparatus must be better equipped and staffed to deal with the increasingly complex threats posed by public disorder in the current socio-political climate.
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