Security & Policing

Migration is framed by governments as a security problem and a threat - a narrative pushed by the military and security industry, who make a killing from selling the equipment used to maintain borders: from border patrol ships and razor wire fencing, to fingerprint databases to monitor migrants' movements.

State violence is the same whether it’s carried out by the military or police. The line between the two has always been blurred and, via equipment, tactics and terminology, this is increasing.

Arms fairs are major events that are crucial to the smooth-running of the arms trade. They promote weapons sales by giving arms dealers the chance to meet and greet military delegations, government officials, other arms companies and a host of individual visitors.

Security and Policing is an annual event organised by the UK government’s Home Office and the arms industry trade body, ADS. But it is clear that there is no consideration for the security of people, rather this event is a clear example of promoting ‘security’ for government and state officials, and the corporations they work

Activists from several groups including the Network for Police Monitoring, Global Justice Now, Lesbians and Gays Support the Migrants, London Mexico Solidarity, London Campaign Against Arms Trade and Stop the Arms Fair protested outside the Home Office to call for an end to the 'Security and Policing' arms fair.

We’ve found arms trade events in some unlikely locations before ... but finding the Gala Dinner for an arms fair in a Cathedral probably tops the bill. Guildford Cathedral hosted Security & Policing’s “exclusive networking dinner” in 2012 and it was booked again for 2013.