SME case study: securing crowded places
Updated 23 September 2026
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SME case study: showcasing SME innovation – crowded places demonstrator
Requirement
In order to provide a realistic context for demonstrating a solution to securing crowded places, the Centre for Protection of National Infrastructure, the Joint Security and Resilience Centre (JSaRC) and a number of partners from industry and academia worked together to deliver an immersive demonstrator under the theme of ‘securing crowded places’.
The UK Security Expo at London’s Olympia exhibition centre provided live and realistic environment for demonstrating a coordinated solution and gave visitors the opportunity to participate in an integrated experience using the latest and most innovative security technologies and techniques.
Approach
Many sites and buildings can be considered ‘crowded places’, for example iconic sites, transport infrastructure, sports stadia and entertainment venues, shopping centres, museums and large office buildings. Each site or building will have a unique threat and risk profile, vulnerabilities and operational requirements. There is no one-size-fits-all security solution. What might not work in one context could be a valuable tool in another. A particular challenge in securing crowded places is how to screen people and their possessions for threat items.
The initial requirement was created in accordance with a cross-government joint approach which resulted in a call to industry for responses around screening technologies. The assessment of the responses resulted in 24 SME’s being successful. All 24 SMEs were involved in developing a solution aligned to the crowded places requirement. Both public and private sectors were able to experience the demonstrator at the UK Security Expo and Olympia event.
What we achieved
For many of the SMEs participating, the crowded places demonstrator provided a unique opportunity to showcase and integrate their innovative technology in an environment where the public and private sector could clearly visualize how the technologies could be applied in their own environments and business settings.
This, in turn, has helped to encourage stronger supplier relationships, shape the market and create awareness of SME capabilities that can be developed further. There are already plans in place to test this capability operationally on real sites.
About JSaRC
In a move to take a more coordinated approach to tackling urgent and long-term threats to the UK’s national security, the Home Office has formed JSaRC. As part of a four-year programme with funding provided by the Home Office, JSaRC is resourced by experts from industry, government and academia. The centre is to serve as government’s primary means of sharing strategic priorities and coordinating industry support.
The JSaRC team can be reached by email at: JSaRC@homeoffice.gov.uk