16 - 18 March 2027
Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre
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Innovation Awards

ADS Security Innovation Award

The ADS Security Innovation Award recognises organisations delivering innovative technologies, products and services that strengthen the UK’s ability to prevent, respond to, mitigate and investigate security threats and incidents.

Designed to celebrate excellence in innovation, the award showcases capabilities that have delivered a step change in tackling security and resilience challenges. Entries are assessed by an expert judging panel against a range of criteria, including innovation, market differentiation, customer demand and measurable impact.

Why enter?

Entering the ADS Security Innovation Award offers a unique opportunity to showcase your innovation to some of the most influential stakeholders across the UK security sector.

  • Exposure to senior representatives from Government, industry and academia with a focus on innovation and capability development.
  • Enhanced visibility for finalists at Security & Policing, including the opportunity to present on the Spotlight Stage.
  • Presentation of the winner’s award by a UK Minister or senior government official.
  • Promotional and media support surrounding the announcement of the finalists and award winners.

Judging Criteria & Process

Entries for the award are judged against the following criteria:

  • Innovation
  • Uniqueness in the market
  • Market demand
  • Company ambition and clear impact on addressing security and resilience issues

All submissions will be reviewed by a panel of judges drawn from Government, academia and industry. Following the initial assessment process, up to six finalists will be selected to progress to the final stage of the competition.

Finalists

Up to six finalists will be invited to present their innovation during a live pitch session on the Spotlight Stage.

Following the presentations, the judging panel will select the ADS Security Innovation Award Winner and Runner-Up. The judges may also recognise outstanding entries through the award of Highly Commended certificates.

Eligibility

To be eligible for entry, applicants must:

  • Be an exhibitor at Security & Policing 2027.
  • Be a UK-registered company.
  • Have brought the product or service to market within the last two years (including significant enhancements or new versions of existing technologies).
  • Provide evidence of a government or commercial customer currently using the product or service.
  • Demonstrate that the product or service was developed in the UK by the applicant organisation.

2026 Winner

LINEV Systems UK were crowned winners of the ADS Security Innovation Award 2026 for their baggage screening system, LV STREAM.

LV STREAM uses enhanced X-ray technology to scan bags and personal items to identify weapons, explosives, knives, and other prohibited items at venue entrance and exit points.

The judges were impressed with LV STREAM’s speed, adaptability and its potential for a diverse mix of venues. The judges also commended its ability to assist with the development of frictionless borders across the UK.

JSaRC Academic Innovation Award

To complement the ADS Security Innovation Award at the Security & Policing Exhibition which recognises the innovative capabilities and services of exhibitors, the Home Office is sponsoring an innovation award for the UK academic research community.

The Innovation Academic Award is specifically designed to identify research that has the potential to provide a step change in the effectiveness of the UK’s ability to prevent, respond to, reduce the impact of or investigate risks and incidents.

Why enter?

Entering the JSaRC Academic Innovation Award offers a unique opportunity to showcase your research to influential stakeholders across the UK security sector.

  • All submissions are exposed to senior representatives from Government, industry and academia involved in innovation.
  • Finalists will get the opportunity to present their research on the Innovation Stage at the Security & Policing event.
  • Opportunity to meet with representatives from the Policing, Security & Resilience Community, Industry & Sector Experts.
  • Media support for announcement of the Award winners.
  • Opportunity to work with the Home Office in taking your research forward.

Judging Criteria & Process

Entries for the award are judged against four criteria:

  • Innovation & Research Quality
  • Uniqueness in the market & potential market demand
  • Clear impact on addressing security and resilience issues
  • Proposed Exploitation path

Please note: Academic Attendees must meet the visitor criteria for Security & Policing.

Submissions will be reviewed by an eminent panel of judges drawn from Government, Academia and Industry who will down select up to six submissions to the Finals Stage.

Finalists

Up to 6 finalists will be given the opportunity to pitch their submission to the panel of judges in a Live Pitch Final on the Innovation Zone stage. Following these presentations, the judges will decide the HO Academic Innovation Award winner and runner-up. The judges may also choose to recognise other entrants through ‘Highly Commended’ certificates.

Eligibility

To be eligible for entry, applicants must:

  • You must be from a UK Institute of Higher Education.
  • Potential Intellectual Property Rights must be held by the Researcher &/or the Academic Institute.
  • There must be a clear intent to develop & exploit the research.
  • The product or service must have been developed within the UK and by your Organisation.

2026 Winner

2026 Academic Innovation Award winner Nick Dale (University of Cambridge) was recognised for research exploring how existing data and national intelligence infrastructure can be used more effectively to strengthen trust, confidence and legitimacy in policing. Developed with North Yorkshire Police, supported by the University of Cambridge and endorsed by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), the project focused on maximising existing capabilities rather than creating new systems. Operational since 2023, the pilot demonstrates how evidence-based innovation and cross-sector collaboration can bridge the gap between academic research and practical policing outcomes, delivering tangible benefits for public safety.

Nick Dale receiving the 2026 Academic Innovation Award

Previous winners

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