£2 million pledged to improve crowd resilience during terror attacks

The Defence and Security Accelerator has launched a competition in partnership with the Home Office to find the best academics, researchers, engineers and technology developers, and bring them together to combat the current terror threat. During an event at the Chelsea Harbour Hotel in London on July 27, attendees will be able to submit innovative ideas to the ‘Improving crowd resilience’ competition to detect the use of explosives and weapons in busy public spaces by using the crowd as a sensor. The Defence and Security Accelerator is also seeking ideas on improving the recognition of explosives and weapons in crowded spaces, training the public to spot threats, and enabling crowds to report threats. Winners of the competition will form a team to study how to keep people safe in crowds, and the Home Office has pledged £2 million to fund this research. At the event, Security Minister Ben Wallace is expected to announce that the Government is making up to £2 million available to fund research into cutting edge technology and behavioural science projects designed to keep people safe in crowds. “The threat from terror does not stand still so neither will we, which is why we are calling on the best and the brightest from the science and technology sector to come forward with their ideas and proposals to support our ongoing work to keep people safe,” he will say. Head of the Defence and Security Accelerator, Lucy Mason, said: “The terrible terrorist attacks in London and Manchester shocked and appalled all of us. Protecting people from terrorism is something we can all do, industry and academics and public servants. “We don’t have all the answers. So we must bring together the brightest minds from the private sector, and academia to help find solutions to help keep our country and people safe and secure. “The Defence and Security Accelerator exists to help government find and exploit game-changing ideas to help the security services and police stay one step ahead of those who threaten our safety. By funding and fast tracking the development of real solutions, we help to bring the innovation community together, rapidly. “So today I reach out to our innovation community to be part of something bigger and show their support for their country. I’d encourage anyone who feels they have a great idea that can help keep our crowded areas safe to visit our website for more information on this competition.”