As the new leader of the ‘Disability Confident Group’ within IPSA I have been obliged to start attending functions again. Since I was diagnosed as clinically blind three years ago my life changed drastically. I stopped attending meetings and events.
In fact, the only event that I kept in the diary was the Professional Security-Women in Security (WiS) awards. However, that has all changed and now and I am out and about again. One of the first functions that I wanted to attend was the Masters Annual Dinner of the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals (WCoSP). This company is dear to my heart since I was one of the founders and devoted a lot of time to it when it began its journey. I was privileged to preside as Master when we transferred from being a Guild to Company status. The next transition was when Peter French presided as Master from Company to Worshipful Company. These unique step changes were very memorable but on the night of this annual dinner, nothing could have been more special. Having not attended livery functions for some time since I lost my sight I was amazed at the warm and welcome response. It was lovely to drink in the splendid surroundings of the Merchant Taylors’ Hall. It is one of the ‘Great 12’ Livery Companies in the City of London.
One of my favourite things about the City of London is the history and how it reaches forward from ancient times to modern life. It never ceases to amaze me how many of the ‘proverbs and sayings’ that we use as part of contemporary language emanate from the City. One of my favourite maxims is ‘being at sixes and sevens’. This adage came about in the Middle Ages when a dispute arose as to who was number six and who was number seven in order of procession. Merchant Taylors’ or the Skinners? Both claimed to be the sixth! However, this was later resolved by the order of precedence established in 1515 under Henry VII. It was decreed that the companies would take it in turn, year in, year out, having the Merchant Taylors being sixth in odd-numbered years and the Skinners in even-numbered. To this day the tradition is upheld and they take it in turn in the procession.
Amidst these beautiful surroundings it was wonderful to catch up with so many people that I had not seen for years (forgive the pun) and it was a night to remember, made even more special by the welcome by the Master, Stephen Anderton (pictured). As the 17th Master of the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals he is the essence of a security professional. He was previously a career officer in the Royal Air Force with the final appointment of Commandant General RAF Regiment, heading the RAF’s Force Protection and Security organisation. He is a graduate of the Royal Air Force Advanced Staff College and the Defence Strategic Leadership Programme and now works as an independent adviser and consultant to the security and defence industries. His business acumen is backed with an MA in Corporate Business Management.
The Master not only has the experience of charitable endeavours within the WCoSP, but he is also a Trustee and Board member of the Lady Grover’s Fund, a Friendly Society supporting the armed services. On the night of the annual dinner the atmosphere was filled with that charmed atmosphere that to me is only associated with the WCoSP. That might sound a bit romanticised, but it is true. Since its inception in 1999 the WCoSP has had a different ambiance and feeling to it than any other security organisation that I have been involved with over the years; and there have been many! I guess it goes back to the day when it all started and we called together the founders. Just getting those people in the room with one common goal was the start of something different from the very start. It was at that time when all those involved had the aim of giving back to the profession that had sustained them. Not only did we want to become the charitable arm of the profession; we also wanted to introduce a cultural ethos on behalf of the wider world of security. Our original aim was to promote, support and encourage standards of excellence. We intended for all security practitioners involved with the WCoSP to conduct business with integrity and honourable practice within the profession. We also intended to aid societies and other organisations connected with the security profession. That ethos was culturised at the very beginning as a Guild of the City of London and today that foundation still prevails within the WCoSP.
Members of the Company can now benefit primarily by being able to give something back to the profession and by supporting the WCoSP’s charitable works. Apart from all the hard work and charitable endeavours, members can also help raise money by simply attending formal Company luncheons and dinners, sporting events and other informal gatherings where they will meet and socialise with like-minded people and enjoy the unique fellowship that only the City Livery companies can offer. However, none of these incredible events would be possible without the support of our sponsors. This year National Monitoring sponsored the WCoSP dinner.
Livery Movement
As a member of a City Livery Company, people are afforded the opportunity to become a Freemen of the City of London and a Liverymen of the Company. The role of a Liverymen is very important within the City. Each year two Sheriffs are elected for the City of London by the Liverymen of the City Livery Companies. Historically the Sheriffs were the most important City officials and were directly appointed by the King of England until circa 1130. Primarily, they collected London’s annual taxes on behalf of the royal exchequer and had judicial duties in the City’s law courts. They have attended the Justices at the Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey since its original role as the Court for the City and Middlesex. To this day, the Sheriffs still live in the court house complex during their year of service, so that one of them can always be attendant on the judges; and at the famous number one Court at the Old Bailey the principal chairs on the bench are reserved for the Sheriffs and the Lord Mayor’s use, with the Sword of the City hanging behind the bench. It is an unchanging custom that the Lord Mayor of London must previously have served as a Sheriff. The Sheriffs’ jurisdiction is the square mile of the City of London. It is with this history in mind and the association between the Sheriffs and the wider world of security that Past Master Emeritus Steve Neville and Past Master Peter French created the ‘Sheriff’s Award’.
Initially the award was to celebrate the ordinary people of London, the public going about their business. It was for people finding themselves in a threatening and potentially dangerous situation where bravery prevailed. Since the creation of the Sheriffs Award the criteria has extended to include nominations from the emergency services, the armed forces and of course members of the public and the business community.
This year the Sheriffs Award was presented to PC Wayne Marques a British Transport Police officer. The room was silent as the submission was read out. This young man was confronted by three knife-wielding terrorists during The London Bridge Attacks, suffering severe, life-changing injuries. On the evening of Saturday, June 3, 2017 after hearing the screams of a woman outside the railway station. PC Marques headed towards the terrifying scenes which became known as the London Bridge Attacks. Passers-by tended to a man suffering from multiple stab wounds and amidst scenes of panic and confusion along Borough High Street, PC Marques, without thought for his own safety, charged the three attackers to stop more members of the public being injured.
Equipped only with a standard issue expandable baton to defend himself, he engaged all three attackers who turned on him fiercely brandishing eight- and ten-inch knives and were dressed in what were later found to be fake explosive vests. Despite the desperate danger of the situation, PC Marques fought courageously and relentlessly, until he lost consciousness. He suffered severe injuries inflicted by stab wounds to his head, hands, hip, legs and was rendered temporarily blind in one eye. PC Marques had been a probationary officer who had been working for less than two years with the British Transport Police at that time. PC Marques demonstrated a remarkable degree of bravery and an outstanding level of selflessness. The actions he took whilst seriously endangering his own life led to the terrorists being shot dead by armed police and unquestionably prevented others from being injured or killed.
The 2017 Sheriffs Award could not have been bestowed upon a worthier recipient. As part of this award, PC Marques will receive a cheque for £2500 and his name will be inscribed on an Honours Board and placed in a Book of Honour, both on permanent display within the Central Criminal Court (The Old Bailey). After the outline of his endeavours the room erupted and everyone stood for an ovation after hearing about his outstanding bravery. After the dinner I was able to catch up with him and congratulate him personally; it was an honour.
