UKCOA partners with anti-terrorism group
The UK Coach Operators Association (UKCOA) has partnered with the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) to promote greater security awareness across the coach sector.
The government introduced ‘Martyn’s Law’, officially known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, in April. It requires premises and event organisers to implement clear and proportionate security procedures to help reduce the risk of terrorist attacks. While coach operators may not fall directly under the scope of this legislation, their involvement in transporting the public to and from such venues places them at the heart of this important national conversation.
“We’re proud to support NaCTSO’s work and help ensure that the coach sector remains an active part of the UK’s wider security landscape” – Stephen Spendley, Director of Operations at UKCOA
“Coach operators and their drivers are often the first and last point of contact for event goers,” said Stephen Spendley, Director of Operations at UKCOA. “Whether at stadiums, music festivals, attractions, or rail replacement sites, they are uniquely placed to observe and report suspicious behaviour. We’re proud to support NaCTSO’s work and help ensure that the coach sector remains an active part of the UK’s wider security landscape.”
Central to this effort is the ‘See, Check and Notify’ (SCaN) campaign, developed by NaCTSO, which equips frontline staff with the tools to spot, verify and report unusual or concerning behaviour. The SCaN training materials are designed to be practical and accessible, focusing not on creating security experts, but on building confidence to speak up when something doesn’t feel right.
The initiative also encourages operators to adopt small but effective security measures in their day-to-day practices. A range of free tools and resources are available to support this work, including guidance on how to complete a security risk management process, e-learning for staff, and poster campaigns, all of which can be accessed via the ProtectUK website. These have been developed by security professionals in collaboration with industry and government.
UKCOA will continue to raise awareness through its own newsletters and member communications and encourages all operators to explore the free tools available and begin incorporating them into their operations.
“We all have a role to play,” said Stephen. “This is about building a culture of awareness, where simple actions and informed decisions can make a real difference.”
For further information about SCaN training or to access the available resources, click here.