Defence and Policing: Further Information
Newrisk Limited is able to advise organisations and governments on defence and policing issues. Newrisk Limited and its principal adviser, Dr Leivesley, have previously provided media commentary, lectures, conference papers and publications on defence and policing issues, examples of which are set out below. To return to an overview of Newrisk Limited's defence and policing expertise, please click here.
To request Newrisk Limited's assistance in connection with defence and policing issues, or to discuss a tailored package of services, please contact Newrisk Limited directly.
Media Commentary
Newrisk Limited's principal adviser, Dr Leivesley, has previously provided media commentary on defence and policing issues, including:
- Threats to the Paris Olympics during the High Speed Rail Sabotage event on 27 July 2024, for Al Jazeera English on 26 July 2024;
- Terrorism and other risks to the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony, for The Globalist Monocle Radio on 23 July, 2024;
- New Year look ahead, The Globalist, Monocle Radio, 1 January 2024.
- Chinese Spy Balloon over USA nuclear missile site, Talk.TV at 8pm, 13 February 2023: "The United States is finally “waking up” to China’s “trojan horse” balloon campaign, which is being
used to possibly target military sites, according to security expert Dr Sally Leivesley. “The Americans
now understand that American homeland, as we should understand as a nuclear nation here, will be
being targeted,” Dr Leivesley said. “These close-to-the-ground, highly capable surveillance balloons
may not just be communications but may be doing the potential targeting that a new nuclear
weapon may use in the future. “There’s more close surveillance of potential sites than we may have
assumed." - Uranium in package arriving at London Heathrow Airport sparks counter- terror investigation, Sky
News at 2.30pm and repeats in news, 11 January 2023: "What it may mean is, if London is being used to trade and prove sampling capability of what can be sold, this is very serious and if so, it's an indicator of part of the weapons build-up we're seeing, said Dr Sally Leivesley, a risk management consultant.” - Kabul Airport Evacuation- international terror consequences and South China Sea, 7 Network (Australia) on 26 August 2021;
- 39 bodies found in Freezer Truck in UK, for Channel 7 Sunrise on 24 September, 2019;
- Novichok Poisoning Britain, Appearance for Channel 4 News on 6 July 2018, Channel4 News Video:
“It’s a hostile nation state... and that nation state needs to muddy the waters.”
Chemical weapons expert Dr Sally Leivesley says this is one explanation behind the second Novichok poisoning in Wiltshire, after Britain accused Russia of using the UK as a "dumping ground" for poison - Venezuela political crisis and Trump and Putin opportunities for circuit breaker influence on peace in the world trouble spots, for BBC World Service Weekend News Review on 4 May 2019;Drone disruption Gatwick Airport for BBC World Service Weekend News Review on 4 May 2019;
- Cold War and Britain’s response to Sergei Skripal Russian Spy poisoning with Novichok nerve agent for Nine News Today (Australia) on 17 March 2018;
- Munich Security Conference 2018, Prime Minister Theresa May’s post- Brexit defence statement, for BBC News Channel on 17 February 2018;
- North Korea Threats and Mitigation Options and other issues for BBC World Service Weekend News Review on 27 August 2017;
- 'The Nervous breakdown of the Internet', for BBC Radio 4 (England) on 1 December 2015, with Edward Lucas: "Internet security is vital, but increasingly fragile."
- Requirement for Internet Monitoring Following Increased Terror Threats in UK for BBC News Channel (England) on 27 February 2015;
- Post Terror Attack Analysis, Sydney Hostage Siege by Monis, Sociopathic Terrorist for Chanel 9 Australia Today on 17 December 2014;
- Sydney Hostage Siege by Monis, Lone Wolf Terrorist for BBC World News, BBC Five Live, Good Mornig Britain, Channel 9 News (Australia) on 16 December 2014;
- Kassig Beheading, ISIS Threats, and COBRA Meeting for BBC Newsday on 18 November 2014;
- ISIS Sotloff Beheading & Obama/Cameron Options in Context of Nato Meeting for ITN News on 3 September 2014;
- James Foley Execution Videofor ITV Good Morning Britain on 20 August 2014: "The video purporting to show the execution of US journalist James Foley by Islamic State Miltants is a 'come on' to supporters in the UK, security expert Dr Sally Leivesley told Good Morning Britain. 'We have to take a risk message here in Britain and the risk will be first in the local communities where those sympathisers are,' Dr Leivesley said."
- Without a Trace: Who is behind the mystery of flight MH370? Talk in Hanger-7 for Servus TV (Austria) on 5 June 2014;
- 10 Year Old Female Suicide Bomber Afghanistan for Channel 5 News on 7 January 2014- available online;
- Sochi Olympic Threats and Russian Security Capability for Al Jazeera (English) on 2 January 2014;
- Radicalisation Threats Following the Terrorist Killing of Soldier Lee Rigby for BBC Radio Scotland on 21 December 2013;
- US Threatens Punishment Aerial Bombardment on Syria Following Chemical Weapons Attack for Channel 5 News on 26 August 2013 - available online;
- Home Affairs Select Committee Recommendations for Cyber Crime for ITV Daybreak on 30 July 2013 - more online;
- Taliban Peace Talks with USA for ITV Daybreak on 19 June 2013;
- White House announces Syrian Military's Chemical Weapons Use & US Military Support for Rebels for ITV Daybreak on 14 June 2013;
- English Defence League activism and its followers for BBC Radio Scotland News on 27 May 2013;
- Catastrophic Risk Cyber Security Press Briefing for the Institution of Technology and Engineering at the Wellcome Trust on 29 April 2013;
- London Marathon Security & its implications for future sporting events on Channel Pro7, 'TAFF' programme (Germany);
- Boston Marathon Terror for Channel 7 Weekend Sunrise (Australia) on 21 April 2013;
- Boston Marathon Terror for Chanel 5 News on 20 April 2013;
- Boston Marathon Terror for ITV Daybreak, Channel 10 News (Australia) and Channel 5 News on 16 April 2013;
- Boston Marathon Terror and Security for the London Marathon for BBC Radio Scotland on 16 April 2013;
- 3 British Muslims convicted of disrupted 2011 backpack suicide bomb plot for ITV News on 22 February 2013;
- North Korea's nuclear test 7 kiloton yield for ITV News on 12 February 2013;
- Zero Dark Thirty - CIA sharing of data with film makers for Sky News on 25 January 2013;
- Libya Benghazi terror threat and FCO advice to British citizens for ITV News on 25 January 2013;
- MoD Cyber Report, House of Commons Defence Committee for ITV News on 9 January 2013;
- Resignation of General David Petraeus for Sky News on 10 November 2012;
- CIA's future influence on US foreign policy following resignation of General Petraeus for Sky News on 10 November 2012;
- Camp Bastion baby born to Gunner soldier for ITV News on 19 September 2012;
- Taliban attack Camp Bastion & Prince Harry's safety for ITV and Channel 5 News on 17 September 2012;
- British family brutally shot in France, child survivors & questions of state sponsored/family causes for Sky News on 9 and 10 September 2012, for ITV Daybreak on 10 September 2012 and for TF1 on 11 September 2012;
- Twitter threat to blow up airport found 'not menancing' following court appeal for BBC News on 27 July 2012;
- Olympics threats and status of Olympic security for N24 Television Germany on 24 July 2012;
- Olympic security and public protection for Channel 10 (Australia) on 23 July 2012;
- Military support to the Olympics and impact of private security guarding failure on safety status of the Games for Channel 5 News on 18 July 2012;
- Olympics guarding failures and advantages of military support for public protection for ITN Daybreak and Al Jazeera (UK) (pre-record) on 16 July 2012;
- Olympics receive 3,500 deployed troops to support private security for ITN Daybreak and Channel 5 News (pre-record) on 12 July 2012;
- MI5 Director General's speech on terror threats for the Olympics & beyond for Channel 5 News (pre-record) on 26 June 2012;
- Strategic consequences & alternatives to cutting of 20,000 military personnel for Sky News on 7 June 2012;
- Olympics security tested in Queen's Diamond Jubilee for Channel 7 (Australia) on 4 June 2012;
- Olympics defence exercise & Olympics security preparedness for Channel 5 News on 3 May 2012;
- Coronial verdict on GCHQ/MI6 Cryptologist's death, forensics & security issues for ITV Daybreak on 3 May 2012;
- Missile Batteries on Residential Tall Building close to Olympic Park for Sky News and Al Jazeera (UK) on 29 April 2012;
- Coronial Evidence on GCHQ/MI6 Cryptologist's Death for ITV Daybreak on 23 April 2012;
- National & Cyber Security post-GCHQ/MI6 Cryptologist's Death for ITV Daybreak and Channel 5 News on 22 April 2012;
- Olympic Volleyball at the Horseguards Parade for Channel 10 (Australia) on 16 April 2012;
- Data Attack on the Home Office Website (recruitment of police cyber personnel) for Sky News on 8 April 2012;
- Shootings in Toulouse & British Hostage Release in Kenya for Sky News on 21 March 2012;
- Release of US Hostage in Iraq for Sky News on 18 March 2012;
- Ministry of Defence Marine & Para Resignations for Sky News on 17 March 2012;
- US Soldier's Mass Killing in Afghanistan for BBC Breakfast on 12 March 2012;
- Death of British & Italian Hostages in Afghanistan for BBC News and ITN Daybreak on 9 March 2012;
- Defence Personnel Cuts for Sky News on 3 April 2011;
- Wikileaks Critical Infrastructure Cables for TT5 News (Italy) on 8 December 2010 and Sky News on 6 December 2010;
- Saudi Terrorism Funding Revealed in Wikileaks for Sky News on 5 December 2010;
- General Richards' Comments on Troops in Afghanistan for 30 Years for Sky News on 14 November 2010;
- MI6 Chief's (Sir John Sawers) First Public Speech for Sky News on 28 October 2010;
- National Security Review for BBC Breakfast/BBC Radio Five Live on 18 October 2010;
- Change to the Northern Ireland Threat Status for Mainland Britain for BBC News on 24 September 2010;
- David Cameron's Security in Afghanistan and Taliban Missiles for Sky News on 27 August 2010;
- British and Pakistani Joint Statement on Terrorism during Zadari's Visit to UK for GMTV on 3 August 2010;
- Police Force Cuts for BBC News on 2 July 2010;
- UK Terrorist Threat Level Raised for BBC News/BBC Breakfast on 22 and 23 January 2010;
- Change to UK Threat Status and Impact upon Retail and the UK Population for Sky News on 23 January 2010;
- Houses of Parliament Incursion and Security for Sky News on 11 October 2009;
- Attempted Infiltration of MI5 Recruitment for Al Jazeera (English) on 1 August 2009;
- Ministerial Statement on Identity Cards for Sky News on 30 June 2009;
- MI5 Appointment of Chief Scientist for BBC News/BBC Radio Four on 17 April 2009;
- Police Chief Bob Quick's Security Breach and Arrest of Terror Suspects for GMTV on 9 April 2009;
- National Counter-Terrorism Strategy for BBC News/BBC Breakfast on 22 and 24 March 2009;
- Urban Search and Rescue and Terrorism Protection Exercises for BBC Breakfast on 28 February 2009;
- GCHQ and Government Security for BBC Wales on 21 October 2008;
- Second Government Security Documents Lost and Financial Terrorism for BBC News on 15 June 2008 and Sky News on 15 June 2008;
- Vote on 42 Day Detention Period and Documents Security Breach for BBC Breakfast on 11 June 2008;
- Security Breach regarding Documents on Al Qaeda in Iraq and Pakistan for Sky News on 10 June 2008;
- Gordon Brown's Announcement of National Security Strategy for BBC News on 19 March 2008;
- National Security and National Identity Cards for Sky News on 6 March 2008;
- Protestors on Roof at House of Commons & Security Issues for Sky News on 27 February 2008;
- Government Legislation to Detain Terrorists for 42 Days for BBC Radio Five Live on 24 January 2008;
- Building Construction and Terrorism, the Lord West's Review on Protective Security and Aviation Security for BBC World on 14 November 2007;
- Terrorism Arrests and the Inquiry into Surveillance Society for BBC Radio Five Live on 22 March 2007;
- M15 Public Warning System for Terror Threat for BBC News on 9 January 2007; and
- New Terrorism Warning System for BBC News/BBC Breakfast on 10 July 2006.
Lectures & Conferences
Newrisk Limited and its principal adviser, Dr Leivesley, have provided lectures and conference papers on defence and policing issues, including:
- CISO Leadership for Strategic Threats and Innovation, 5th CISO 360 Middle East, Pulse Conferences, 10-11 September 2024, Dubai, UAE;
- Pre-Olympics cyber/physical risks: Olympics case studies for Pulse Conferences, 9th CISO Global Congress, 19-21 June, Marseille, France;
- Risky Times 2024-2027, for the Risk and Security Management Forum Summer Seminar, London, 13 June, 2024';
- Risky Times, for the High Premium Group Insurance Agency on Monday 10 June, 2024;
- Singapore 2023 New Cyber-Quantum - Geopolitical Risk Update, Keynote, at Pulse CISO 360 Asia & Oceania Conference, Singapore, 26-27 September 2023;
- Exercise Supply Chain Threat Scenario- Radiation - strategic risk and resilience issues, 6th CSO 360 Congress, Istanbul, 30 November-2 December 2022;
- Supply Chain Threat Scenarios Singapore - strategic risk and resilience issues, 2nd CISO 360, Singapore, Pulse Conferences, 13-14 September 2022;
- Exercise Europe under Threat: Discussion strategic resilience issues; 5th CISO 360 Congress, Geneva, Pulse Conferences, 6-8 July 2022;
- Ukraine under siege high level briefing, Panel Discussion, Ukraine Round Table and Defence and Security Forum, London, 14 March 2022;
- Exercise & Discussion strategic issues on supply chains – Russia/China, 5th Annual CSO Global, Madrid, Pulse Conferences, 7-9 March 2022;
- 'Snapshot of Regional Risks and Sustainability- Incorporating Exercise Cyber-Defence' - Lecture to MIS Chief Information Security Officer Middle East 6th Annual Summit and Roundtable in Dubai (UAE) in February 2014;
- 'CBRNE/Cyber Terrorism: Technical briefing for ‘Exercise London' - Lecture for the Ministry of Defence, Terrorism Causes, Trends and Responses, Knowledge Transfer Programme at the University of Bradford, School of Social and International Studies in April 2013;
- 'Water and CBRNE/Cyber Terrorism: Waterborne threats and sustainability of cities including unusual secondary and tertiary water contamination lessons from Fukushima' - Presentation to the 'Role of Science in the Third Millenium, International Seminar on Nuclear War and Planetary Emergencies', 45th Session in Erice (Italy) in August 2012;
- 'CBRNE Risks' - Lecture to the Leadership in Counter-Terrorism Course, Scottish Police College in Kincardine (Scotland) in June 2009;
- 'CRBNE2 - New Risks, New Solutions, New Plans' - Lecture to the 10th International CBRN Defence Symposium at the Defence Academy in Shrivenham (England) in November 2007;
- 'Terror, Risk and Preparedness in the UK' - Paper to the Defence and Security Forum Meeting in London (England) in November 2006;
- 'Credibility in CBRNE2 Public Information - Cooperation or Apathy?' - Paper to the CBRN Resilience Defence IQ in London (England) in April 2004;
- 'Exercising Skills in CBRN Crises - Risk Assessment and Business Continuity' - Paper to the Managing UK Homeland Security Summit in London (England) in October 2003;
- 'Specific Threats - Chemical and Biological: The Terrorist Threat Against Business' - Paper to the London Conference in London (England) in May 2003; and
- 'Public Private Systems Partnerships in CBRNE2' - Paper to the National High Tech Crime Unit Congress on First Strategic Stakeholders in E-Crime in London (England) in December 2002;
- 'Exercising New Plans in CBRN Defence' - Paper to the Global Security Conference at the Department of Defence Management and Security Analysis and Security Studies Institute in Shrivenham (England) in October 2002.
Publications
Newrisk Limited's principal adviser, Dr Leivesley, has written unpublished papers relating to defence and policing issues, including:
- 'Queen and political leaders defy Remembrance terror threat after police smash plot by Islamist extremists’ by Nick Dorman, Daily Mail, 9 November 2014: "Security expert Dr Sally Leivesley claimed last night that the UK leads the world in countering terror threats. Australian Dr Leivesley, who served on the Met’s Counter Terrorism Advisory Panel, insisted: “We are not seeing anything we wouldn’t expect to see before any big occasion. 'What we are seeing has been a response by counter-terrorist officers to intelligence of intended attacks.“It is a very effective mopping-up of known suspects. However, despite the arrest of suspects, there is, at this stage, no evidence of any materials or weapons being seized.' She added: 'We are not yet seeing the raw capabilities of ISIS. We are merely seeing the ‘expendables’ – the new converts – being caught.“It is the ‘unxpendables’ who pose the real threat. These are the people with the means and expertise to carry out a very real terror attack.' Dr Leivesley said the biggest problem faced by security officers was tracking down so-called “lone wolves” planning random attacks."
- 'Queen of England braves threats to her life, attends Remembrance Day' by Brooks Hays, 9 November 2014: "Terrorism experts said the response by British officials was predictable.'We are not seeing anything we wouldn't expect to see before any big occasion,' Sally Leivesley, a former member of the Met's Counter Terrorism Advisory Panel, told the Daily Record. 'What we are seeing has been a response by counter-terrorist officers to intelligence of intended attacks."
- Mobile Borders: New Solutions for Future Terror Threats (Unpublished briefing paper, November 2008): This paper discussed mobile borders as an innovative concept presenting new options for national security and cross-border and international intelligence cooperation. It discussed ports, airports, rail and road entry points and discusses the risk to border security personnel from fixed border points and guard posts and considers layered sensor technology to disrupt terrorist and criminal cross-border activity.
- British Policy and its Influence on Trends in International Terrorism (October 2007): This paper suggests a proactive national strategic operations centre as an effective solution for police and security organisations faced with a flashover in recruited numbers of terrorists and issues of human rights requiring speed of investigation. A key component of services delivered by a national operations centre or encouraged in the private sector could be public and private sector real-time programmes within the internet that can measurably reduce the level of influence of international terror recruitment of young persons as suicide bombers, fighters or support members for terrorist networks.
Newrisk Limited's principal adviser, Dr Leivesley, has also been cited in various publications relating to defence and policing issues, including:
- 'Eurim Digital Policy Alliance: Discussion Meeting on Recent Developments in Child Internet Safety', chaired by Diana Johnson MP (Shadow Minister for Home Affairs) in House of Commons, London, 22 January 2014: transcript availale here.
- 'Outsourced IT Offers Hackers Access to Key Control Systems' by Mark Hennessy in Irish Times, 2 May 2013, discussing cyber security: "The North Koreans have been blamed for interrupting websites run in South Korea by banks, newspapers and TV companies in “a show and tell” warning about what they are capable of during a conflict, warns Sally Leivesley of Newrisk. The South Koreans have taken the warning seriously, upgrading security at their nuclear plants – including disabling every USB port in every computer at the plants lest they be used to breach defences."
- Bomb Squad at UK House of French Shooting Victims - (Anonymous), Euronews (10 September 2012): "Governments have been known to make killings appear gangland related, according to security analyst Sally Leivesley: 'If this is organised crime, then we look at state-sponsored terrorism because we've certainly seen links between Iran and organised crime, and organised crime provides deniability if it's a state situation. But equally, forensically, it could be mischance. You know, we are looking at very, very broad options, perhaps 20 to 30 different permutations in this one.'"
To request Newrisk Limited's assistance in connection with defence & policing issues, or to discuss a tailored package of services, please contact Newrisk Limited directly.
