Visitors from across the safety and security community took a keen interest in a diversity of innovations, including high tech detection, surveillance and communications systems, as well as physical security assets, such as control barriers, blast-proof windows and fire-proof doors. Leading names participating included British Nuclear Group, L-3 Security & Detection Systems, Professional Barrier Systems, Samsung Techwin, Smiths Detection and Thales. The event also attracted a high level of media interest, including BBC TV and radio.

CCTV technology featured prominently, including a new camera that is capable of delivering quality images in conditions of virtual darkness. Other high tech solutions on show included a whole-body imager which quickly and easily locates weapons, drugs and other threats made of any materials - including liquids, metal, wood, rubber, wire, plastic and glass - concealed on the body.

Products for security critical areas such as the verification of personnel, documents and assets, together with license plate recognition, were also featured. Personal security is another major concern today and considerable interest was shown in a GPS based system for enhancing the safety of anyone who works, lives or travels alone.

Co-located with the exhibition, the ISNR conference took place on December 3, 4 and 5. Leading figures from UK and US government agencies participated, including Jay Cohen, under secretary for science and technology, US department of homeland security (DHS), and professor Paul Wiles, chief scientific advisor to the home office.

This was the first time that the UK has hosted a forum of this type and the delegates who filled the hall for the opening were given a clear picture of the extensive co-operation that exists between the two nations in this critical area. Day 1 was the DHS Stakeholders International Conference, which provided delegates with a unique opportunity to meet with senior officials from the Department.

On days 2 and 3 the conference broke down into five streams: Intelligent security for transport and supply chain; critical infrastructure protection; internal security - policing and intelligence; science & technology requirements for homeland security; and integrated border management - tools for effective enforcement.

One of the highlights of the streams was a scenario based exercise, led by Chris Parker of Hyder Consulting, in which three experts playing the role of terrorist, security official and an independent authority outlined their functions and plans for attacking and defending a specific targets in an urban setting. An audience of around 100 interacted with the experts by questioning the validity and adequacy of the concepts and plans they proposed.

ISNR 2008 will be held at Olympia on December 3 and 4. ISNR is the only event in Europe where visitors can meet and network with policy makers and product innovators who provide solutions for protecting the world's borders, infrastructures and people.

The show also provides a new route to high security end-users, government and public sector specifiers, police and emergency services and the transport infrastructure. This is the only European event where this market is available.
ISNR gives the UK and international security industry a unique new platform to demonstrate how the latest technologies work in conjunction with government agencies and the private sector. Promoting innovation and greater co-operation in the sector, ISNR is geared to delivering the security and safety of people, businesses and assets.