Borders Kill banner carried by four campaigners with hats and headscarfs outside Home Office. Three hold smoke pyrotechnics

Security & Policing

Security & Policing is where arms, border, policing and surveillance companies gather to exhibit equipment and technologies. It is a secretive, annual Home Office event that does not even allow journalists to attend. Security and Policing 2023 will be Farnborough, Hampshire from 14-16 March 2023.

Last updated 10 March 2023

Security & Policing is where arms, border, policing and surveillance companies gather to exhibit equipment and technologies. It is a secretive, annual Home Office event that does not even allow journalists to attend.

ADS, the industry trade association that organises the event on behalf of the Home Office, states that it is

the official UK Government event for the security sector and the only ‘closed’ event of its kind… it provides a unique environment for both UK stakeholders and specially-invited international customers.

The government’s arms sales unit (UKDSE) is responsible for inviting international delegations. In 2020, 64 countries were invited, including many with police forces that have been accused of torture. Over 40 country delegations attended. The event hosted more than 300 exhibiting companies.

Security and Policing 2023 plans to take place in Farnborough, Hampshire from 14-16 March 2023.

Related content

Activists protest against borders at the Stop DSEI arms fair week of action, September 2019

Borders

Migration is framed by governments as a security problem and a threat - a narrative pushed by the military and security industry, who make a killing from selling the equipment used to maintain borders: from border patrol ships and razor wire fencing, to fingerprint databases to monitor migrants' movements.

Police with shields and helmets in front of the House of Commons

Policing

State violence is the same whether it’s carried out by the military or police. The line between the two has always been blurred and, via equipment, tactics and terminology, this is increasing.

A Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet being viewed by arms dealers with a BAE Systems logo in the background

Arms fairs

Arms fairs are major events that are crucial to the smooth-running of the arms trade. They promote weapons sales by giving arms dealers the chance to meet and greet military delegations, government officials, other arms companies and a host of individual visitors.

Action reports

Protestors hold a big red banner that states 'Borders Kill' and blue flares outside the Home Office

Security & Policing 2020

Security and Policing is an annual event organised by the UK government’s Home Office and the arms industry trade body, ADS. But it is clear that there is no consideration for the security of people, rather this event is a clear example of promoting ‘security’ for government and state officials, and the corporations they work

A speaker talks in front of a crowd with banners in the background

Resisting police militarisation: shut down ‘Security and Policing’

Activists from several groups including the Network for Police Monitoring, Global Justice Now, Lesbians and Gays Support the Migrants, London Mexico Solidarity, London Campaign Against Arms Trade and Stop the Arms Fair protested outside the Home Office to call for an end to the 'Security and Policing' arms fair.


Cathedral cancels arms trade event

We’ve found arms trade events in some unlikely locations before ... but finding the Gala Dinner for an arms fair in a Cathedral probably tops the bill. Guildford Cathedral hosted Security & Policing’s “exclusive networking dinner” in 2012 and it was booked again for 2013.

CAAT would not exist without its supporters. Each new supporter helps us strengthen our call for an end to the international arms trade.

Keep in touch