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Allan Burnett is appointed Chair of the Security Industry Safer Scotland – Counter Terrorism group.

Interior of an office with modern furniture

At a recent meeting of the Security Industry Safer Scotland – Counter Terrorism (SISS-CT), a group facilitated by SBRC,  Allan Burnett QPM FSyI was appointed as chair.

He takes over the position from Brian Muir who remains in the capacity of Vice-Chair.

Commenting on the appointment, Mr Burnett said: I am honoured to have been appointed chair and look forward to building on Brian Muir’s lead.  Our strategic aim ‘to enhance the capacity and capability of the security industry to counter terrorism’ remains valid, and that threat cannot be disregarded even as we focus on the COVID-19 virus.

“The current threat from international terrorism is defined as ‘substantial’ meaning an attack is likely and leaving no room for complacency.

“The role of the front-line security officer in countering terrorism is underestimated and sometimes even maligned.  The fact is they have a major role to play in being our eyes and ears and keeping us all safe.”

Mr Burnett added that SISS-CT believe they have a role to play across all elements of CONTEST, the UK’s counter-terrorism strategy. And that training, communication, and confidence “are key words in our people’s development.”

He said: “We have a broad partnership to call upon, including the security industry itself, our regulator the Security Industry Authority (SIA), Police Scotland, the Scottish Business Resilience Centre (SBRC), clients and security drawn from numerous sectors including retail, sport, events and education, and our security associations.”

Allan Burnett QPM FSyI is the former police Counter-Terrorism Co-ordinator for Scotland.  Since his retirement from that role in 2010 he has held a director role in the private security industry.