Abu Ahmed, Head of the Joint Security and Resilience Centre (JSaRC), reflects on the achievements of this year’s Security & Policing event and outlines what lies ahead for 2026.
It was mid-March, around 4.00pm, on the third and final day of the Home Office’s annual Security & Policing exhibition at the Farnborough International Convention Centre – a cavernous site now filled with the clanking sound of exhibition stands being dismantled.
It was Ramadan – I hadn’t eaten or drunk since dawn. My legs were heavy from pacing up and down the sold out exhibition floor, and I was eager to head off to a hearty meal with some friends. I slung my backpack on, ready to leave, when someone tapped me on the shoulder.
I turned to find an eager chap who apologised for interrupting, promising he would be brief. He had just heard me speak on a panel.
“I didn’t know the Home Office organised this event. What you said about small businesses not having the budget to travel overseas and being reliant on domestic shows like this is spot on. I’ve met with some buyers from overseas here, and I think we might be signing a multi-million-pound deal. Thank you so much for this event.”
What a beautiful end to three amazing days, I thought. I must stress, of course, that the credit for the event belongs to many people – my team, wider departmental colleagues and our trade association partners, ADS.
But we cannot rest.
Security & Policing (S&P) is back for 2026, and I’m delighted to share that visitor registration is now open.
Each year S&P brings together around 10,000 professionals from government, law enforcement and industry in a way that no other event does. It is the official UK Government global security event, and it continues to grow in scale, influence and impact.
For 2026, we are once again expecting to welcome over 400 leading security businesses – from world-renowned Primes to innovative SMEs breaking new ground in areas such as CBRN detection, baggage screening, cyber resilience and counter-drone terrorism solutions.
Alongside them will be colleagues from across government, including the College of Policing, the National Counter Terrorism Security Office, UK Border Force and the Security Industry Authority. These are just a few of the many organisations who will showcase how our shared missions are being delivered in practice.
One of the elements I’m most excited about is the return of our immersive feature. Building on the success of last year’s Safer Streets experience, the 2026 edition will bring to life the UK’s Border Security mission in a dynamic, interactive way. Visitors will be able to step into a real-world scenario and see how multiple technologies and approaches come together to strengthen our borders and protect the public.
S&P is not just a showcase – it is a catalyst. Last year, more than 80% of businesses reported leaving with multiple new commercial leads. We also welcomed a record number of international delegates and senior decision-makers from across the globe, reflecting the UK’s growing position as a leader in security exports, now worth over £11bn annually.
For government, the event is a chance to signal priorities to industry, stimulate targeted innovation and engage directly with those building the next generation of security capabilities. For industry, it is a rare opportunity to hear from Ministers, engage senior officials, connect with operational leaders and demonstrate how their technologies can make a tangible difference to our collective missions – from safer streets to stronger borders – and, of course, to supporting the UK’s economic growth.
I want to thank our partners at ADS and colleagues across the Home Office for their work in making S&P possible. Each year, the event demonstrates what we can achieve when government and industry come together with a clear purpose: to safeguard the UK and contribute to global security.
Visitor registration is now open, and I encourage you to secure your place. I look forward to welcoming you to Farnborough in March 2026.
Abu Ahmed
Head of the Joint Security and Resilience Centre (JSaRC)
