ATBSS - Alan Townsend - Curriculum Vitae

Curriculum Vitae

Alan joined the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) in 1976, having been previously employed in the printing industry for ten years. He was a 'career detective' and became a full time investigator in 1980 when he joined the Criminal Investigation Department, serving in a number of London's busiest areas. From that time he served tours of duty with specialist branches including Anti Terrorism, Major Incident Teams and Child Protection.

Alan is a trained facilitator, having been a member of the MPS 'Plus Programme' team, which involved facilitating step-change meetings for all 44,000 police and civilian staff over an eighteen-month period. Alan also delivers regular national and regional media interviews in relation to his work and prepares news releases for national and trade press outlets.

In 1997 Alan became the Crime Prevention Co-ordinator for the Flying Squad, responsible for the commercial robbery crime reduction strategy for London. His work involved liaising with industry on a national and international basis, advising on crime reduction good practice and promoting strategic partnerships within London's business community.

Alan regularly delivered presentations on commercial security matters and presented at overseas seminars including the Danish Banking Security Committee, Sultanate of Oman Police/Central Bank, Northern French Post Office, Universal Postal Union, European Security Transport Association, Belgium Bankers' Association, French Post Office / Police Security Forum, ATM Industry Association, EU Accession Programme, Canadian Interac Association Risk Management Forum and Kingdom of Bahrain Police.

Closer to home, Alan frequently presented countrywide providing advice on crime trends and effective crime reduction measures. These presentations included UK tours for the Association for Payment Clearing Services, Association of British Travel Agents, Petrol Retailers Association and Building Societies Association, as well as one-off presentations to police/business liaison groups and retail security forums.

An important aspect of Alan's work involved the preparation and delivery of training packages for both trainers and front-line staff within the business community covering areas of Tiger Kidnap, foreign travel, robbery awareness, personal security, pattern avoidance and conflict management. This partnership programme continues to be an essential part of the Flying Squad's crime prevention strategy and includes the cash in transit industry, financial institutions, jewellery industry, travel agents, High Street retailers and business and community groups.

Alan has served as a member of several national and international crime prevention and business security committees advising on crime reduction issues, these include: -

APACS ATM Crime Group;
APACS Cash Risk Review Group;
ATMIA (European Security Advisor);
ATM Security Working Group (Chair);
Banknote Watch Trust (Chair);
Banknote Watch International (Chair);
BBA Security Liaison Group;
Bookmaker / Police Security Liaison Group
BOSS Operations & Evaluations Group;
BSIA Cash & Property Marking Section;

BSIA Transport Section (CIT);
BSA Security Liaison Group;
Bureau / Travel Agent Security Forum (Chair);
Cash Security Liaison Group (Secretary);
ECB Ad-Hoc Advisory Group
ESTA Security Working Group
Global ATM Security Alliance;
Jewellers Security Working Group (Chair);
Post Office Police Liaison Group; and,
Raid-control Trust (Chair).

Alan has received a number of commendations, awards and appointments for his work in crime reduction: -

June 2002, personal commendation from Assistant Commissioner David Veness, Metropolitan Police Service, for professionalism, ability and expertise in respect of crime reduction initiatives, particularly Banknote Watch;
July 2002, BSIA Chairman's Award for his contribution in "Promoting the Cash in Transit Industry" in connection with his work as national co-ordinator for Banknote Watch;
November 2002, Global ATMIA Award for "Best Individual Contribution to Promoting the ATM Industry" in connection with his work as chairman of the ATM Security Working Group;
June 2005, appointed Member of the British Empire in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for Services to the Police;
April 2006, personal commendation from Chief Constable Colin Cramphorn, West Yorkshire Police, for commitment and professionalism in co-ordinating the implementation of Raid-control in West Yorkshire.
April 2006, Raid-control Trust Award for "significantly reducing robbery in high risk areas through developing and promoting the Raid-control concept".

During his time with the Flying Squad Alan has received one hundred and forty five letters of appreciation in connection with his work with internal and external partners.

Having completed thirty years service, Alan retired as a Police Officer in May 2006 and formed his own company to enable him to continue to work within the Police Service as an independent contractor. His previous role has been split into two areas of responsibility - strategic and tactical - with Alan looking after the former and his successor the latter. This arrangement has led to Alan continuing to manage the Flying Squad's strategic partnership strategy, providing business training programmes, delivery of presentations to the business community and serving on several of the committees mentioned above.

Alan is now also able to offer an independent service to other orgainsations and businesses through Alan Townsend Business Support Services Limited (ATBSS).

ATBSS offers a complete support service to clients, which includes security references, event management, project co-ordination, public relations support, meeting facilitation, presentation and training services, mentoring and contact liaison.

For more information please contact .

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