Every year at Security & Policing, we challenge ourselves to create something that goes beyond the traditional conference experience. The immersive isn’t just a demonstration or a walkthrough—it’s an opportunity for participants to step into the shoes of those working on the frontline of UK security.
Why we do it
The immersive experience exists because we believe the best way to understand complex security challenges is to live them, even if only for a short time.
Government, law enforcement and industry partners all attend Security & Policing with a shared goal: addressing the security challenges facing the UK. But reading about these challenges in a briefing paper or watching a presentation only takes you so far. The immersive puts you in the moment, facing incomplete information, time pressure, and difficult decisions- just as operational teams do every day.
It’s also about showcasing genuine collaboration. The immersive brings together government priorities and industry innovation in a way that reflects how these partnerships actually work in practice. When you see a piece of technology in action during the scenario, you’re seeing it applied to real-world problems.
What to expect in 2026: Operation Borderline – The Traffickers’ Trail
This year’s immersive focuses on border security and people trafficking—a priority that cuts across multiple departments and agencies. We’ve developed this experience in close partnership with the Border Security Command and a group of UK companies who are bringing their technologies into the scenario.
Participants will follow a people trafficking case from the first intelligence reports through to intervention. You’ll take on the role of a border security officer, receiving updates as the situation develops and making operational decisions as the narrative unfolds. This isn’t about watching from the sidelines—you’ll be actively engaged, seeing how intelligence, technology and teamwork combine to disrupt criminal networks and protect victims.
The scenario has been designed to reflect genuine operational realities. You’ll experience what it means to make decisions when the picture is still forming, and you’ll see how different capabilities—from intelligence analysis to detection technologies—contribute at each stage.
Built with Border Security Command
From the outset, we’ve worked hand in hand with the Border Security Command to ensure this year’s immersive reflects the real challenges facing the UK and our international partners. People trafficking is a global issue, with criminal networks operating across borders and exploiting vulnerabilities in systems worldwide. The scenario we’ve developed draws directly on the operational understanding and priorities of those tackling this threat every day.
By grounding the experience in genuine insights from Border Security Command, we’ve ensured that participants won’t just encounter a plausible scenario—they’ll be engaging with the kinds of decisions, pressures and complexities that frontline teams face as they work to disrupt trafficking networks and protect some of the most vulnerable people.
Who’s involved
We’re proud to be working with a number of UK companies who have helped bring this year’s immersive to life, including Airbox Systems, Blackdot Solutions Ltd, Claritas Insight Services Ltd, Foster+Freeman, KIM Software Solutions, NEC Software Solutions UK Ltd, and Zamna Technologies Ltd. Their involvement means participants will see real technologies applied within a realistic operational context.
Book your place
Security & Policing 2026 takes place from 10–12 March. Spaces for the immersive are limited, so if you’re attending the event and want to experience Operation Borderline: The Traffickers’ Trail, we’d encourage you to secure your slot early.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Registration for Security & Policing 2026 is now open – APPLY TO ATTEND