of new legislation. Next year we should start to see real progress. With direct access to the minister and the power to influence national strategy, there’s a genuine chance for S12 to make a difference.
Paul Harvey
Executive Director at Ward Security
that need to be considered when developing security strategies and programmes.
Preparing for Martyn’s Law
There is one new piece of legislation which will, in my view, become a turning point as to how ‘we do security’: the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, otherwise known as Martyn’s Law. In approximately 18 months from now, the Statutory Regulations of the law will be published, and they will provide guidance on implementing the requirements contained in the Act.
I believe that adherence to Martyn’s Law will not only help in preventing and mitigating the impact of terror attacks, but will also deliver collateral benefits in that the measures employed to deal with terror attacks can also help deter and prevent other sources and categories of threats such as organised and opportunist crime, hostile and violent protest activity and anti- social behaviour. It is for these reasons that Martyn’s Law may well become a catalyst and springboard for the security sector’s equivalent to the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, a piece of legislation that has defined the appropriate practice of health and safety since 1974.
The double-edged sword of Artificial Intelligence
Finally, there is no doubt that the rapid advancement in Artificial Intelligence can itself be a ‘double-edged sword’ that will play an increasingly significant role in shaping security strategies and solutions throughout 2026, by influencing how organisations anticipate, detect, and respond to threats. AI brings with it enormous opportunities, but an equal number of potential threats, and it is too early to fully understand the full implications of its impact on society. For instance, losing the capacity to differentiate between reality and fabrication presents significant challenges, not only in matters of security but across multiple facets of daily life.
A period of change
“Physical security looks like it’s on the verge of a major shake-up.” Not the first time that these words have been heard! New threats, smarter tech and rising labour costs are all coming together to change the way organisations protect people and places, especially in higher-risk environments. With the National and London Living Wage climbing sharply over the past few years, traditional manned security models are under pressure.
Budgets are getting squeezed, and many clients are now questioning whether they can continue paying staff in line with Living Wage Foundation guidance. As a result, some organisations are reducing the number of on-site security roles, choosing instead to invest in more advanced solutions. Smart access control systems, biometrics, robotics, drones, AI and predictive analytics are no longer futuristic concepts – they’re becoming realistic, cost-effective parts of the security toolkit. This blend of technology and fewer on-site staff is set to transform how physical security is delivered in the years ahead.
The industry regulator, the SIA, is also heading into a period of change. Alongside getting ready for the requirements of the upcoming Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act, it has a range of other projects underway. These include a review of security officer qualifications; a new Business Approval Scheme; tougher rules around licence-related offences; and more targeted checks on training centres and labour exploitation.
The good news is that the current security minister continues to take a much stronger interest in the SIA’s work, and engagement from government has noticeably improved.
In 2026 we’ll also see the S12 Security Leadership Group start to mature. Everyone accepts that its early launch was a bit rushed, driven by tight deadlines, and the reaction across the industry has been mixed. Even so, the idea behind S12 is solid: a forum aimed at raising standards, shaping policy and speeding up the rollout
© CITY SECURITY MAGAZINE – WINTER 2025
www.citysecuritymagazine.com Alfonso di Muro
CEO at Imperium Security AI is bringing opportunity
Artificial Intelligence is filling the missing links in risk mitigation. The last three years in my organisation have shown that proactive patrol can dramatically reduce crime, with data demonstrating a 99.6% drop per road under service.
Before these measures, an average road faced 17.5 crimes each year; after deployment, this plummeted to just 0.04 – amounting to only three successful crimes per year across 30 roads while patrol officers are on shift. These are truly figures to be proud of, but they still don’t make any service bulletproof.
Experience shows that, even with diligent patrols, crimes such as vehicle theft, bicycle theft, or a smashed window can happen in seconds. With an average of just 38 seconds per crime, unless the security officer has direct eyes on, it’s nearly impossible to prevent such opportunistic acts. With AI, however, things change.
AI analytics can improve analytics in an environment, spotting suspicious actions on CCTV and triggering responses before an incident escalates. Had AI analytics been installed, all three incidents mentioned would have triggered an alert to a control room, resulting in a report to the patrol officer and a real opportunity to intervene and deter the offender.
The coming years will see security surveyors crafting the rules for AI to identify threats, and officers shifting to more dynamic, responsive roles – triaging, de-escalating, and collaborating with constantly learning AI. The future is not about replacing security personnel but working hand in hand with AI: a partnership where the virtual responder leads, but human expertise remains essential.
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