The illicit proliferation and misuse of SALW presents a unique threat to communities due to its multifaceted and diverse impacts upon conflict, security and development; with differing intersectional-felt consequences within each context.

 

For example, impacts to security might be direct, such as death and injury, or indirect, such as emergent cultural violence which breeds instability. Likewise, economies, health and developmental programmes conducted by IFIs and NGOs can be swiftly undermined by the insecurity engendered by SALW misuse, thereby impairing human development.

 

Like all security and development issues, any ‘one size fits all’ approach will be doomed to failure. Each case is unique, and any approach needs to be bespoke based upon individual needs and aspirations. Therefore, international cooperation and a diverse assortment of expertise across the legislature, the judiciary, law enforcement and forensics is required to meet the complex and dynamic threat posed by SALW misuse.

 

In this lecture, Paul James and Callum Lloyd from Arquebus Solutions discuss the impacts of SALW, the building blocks to reducing the impact of SALW upon societies, the Ukrainian Conflict, and their real-world experience of working in over 50 different countries with partners such as the UNDP and the EU to make societies safer.

 

Paul James BA (hons), MSc., MBPsS – Chief Executive Officer

 

Paul is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the services that Arquebus provide on an international basis. He was a founding Director of Arquebus in 2012 and took on his current role as Chief Executive Officer in April 2021. Prior to joining Arquebus, he was a police officer for 30 years in the United Kingdom. For the final six years of his police service, he was at the forefront of the establishment and operational management of the United Kingdom’s National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS), performing the roles of Programme Manager and Unit Head. During Paul’s time as the Head of NABIS he oversaw a reduction of over 50% in the levels of recorded gun crime in the UK.

 

During his time with Arquebus, he has overseen work in over 50 different countries, working with governments, police forces and other agencies to help develop and implement work to tackle gun crime in all its forms. He was at the forefront of developing the concept of Firearms Focal Points (FFP’s) and worked in conjunction with UNDP to establish FFPs in 7 jurisdictions in Southeast Europe. FFPs are now being rolled out across all EU States.

 

Paul is a graduate member of the British Psychological Society and a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. He has a wide network of contacts in the law enforcement community, legal profession, and private industry internationally.

 

Callum Lloyd BA (hons), MSc - Project & Research Coordinator

 

A former student of the University of Bristol, Callum is Arquebus’ Project & Research Coordinator. He holds an MSc in Development & Security with distinction, winning the SPAIS School Award for best overall grade in the class of 2021. During his studies, Callum’s research focus centred upon conflict studies, insecurity and foreign policy analysis.

 

This academic background brings an intimate knowledge of conflict, security and development to the Arquebus team, in addition to research skills which allow Arquebus and its clients to best understand emerging trends in SALW criminality, the impacts of SALW on security and development, and how Arquebus’ specialist knowledge and capabilities can be leveraged to create positive social impact.

 

Callum’s professional experience ranges from providing strategic consultancy services to international development NGOs, to coordinating and conducting EU Commission research projects such as FOCALSF and REGISYNC. Alongside his role at Arquebus, Callum is also a British Army Reservist, which further expands the scope of Arquebus’ operational experience and understanding.