About The Public Safety Foundation

We are on a mission to make the UK the safest place to live, work, and raise a family

Crime and disorder has a profound impact on the quality of our lives. The failure to deal with it swiftly and robustly only allows it to grow, inflicting further misery on those it affects. We all suffer when crime and disorder goes unchallenged, with the poorest and those on low incomes hit hardest.

The Public Safety Foundation is the UK’s only non-profit championing the fight against crime and disorder and speaking up for the law-abiding majority who rightly wish to see a criminal justice system that is tough on crime and resourced to protect us.

Our Director

Oliver Laurence

Oliver serves as the Director of The Public Safety Foundation working with the Advisory Council in a voluntary capacity to help map out and build the future of The Public Safety Foundation.

Oliver began his career in the Metropolitan Police as a cadet in Gypsy Hill, and has over 18 years’ law enforcement and Government investigations and intelligence experience, including time spent as a frontline police officer and leader across Australia. Following Oliver’s succesful career in policing, he was appointed one of two personnel who oversaw professional standards as part of the Australian Governments, Operation Soverign Borders, stationed on the island of Nauru. Here he responded to the needs and expectations of asylum seekers and refugees who were being processed as part of the Australian Governments turn back the boats policy.

More recently he has applied his expertise as an award-winning global investigations consultant, specialising in supporting clients in EMEA with risk across APAC.

Oliver is also the host of Protect and Serve, a leading podcast that captures the first-hand accounts of the brave men and women who have helped protect the public through their work in policing and wider law enforcement. He is also reguarly interviewed by British media, and has reguarly appeared on GBNews on matters pertaining to law enforcement, and immigration, he also writes opinion pieces for Policing Insight a globally recognised policing publication.

William J. Bratton, Former NYPD and LAPD Commissioner

“The Public Safety Foundation’s focus on supporting the police to fight crime and disorder is much-needed in these challenging times.”

“The Public Safety Foundation’s focus on supporting the police to fight crime and disorder is much-needed in these challenging times.”

The Foundation’s Advisory Council


The Public Safety Foundation’s Advisory Council comprises a growing network of credible and prominent individuals who have a track record and significant experience in relation to public safety, criminal justice, and fighting crime and disorder. Our Advisory Council help us stress-test our plans, offer non-binding advice on key issues, and support our vision for making the UK the safest place to live, work, and raise a family.

Chris Donaldson
Chris Donaldson

Chris Donaldson spent three decades policing the streets of London, with substantial experience as a firearms and public order commander. Chris has also served as a Chair, Board Member, and youth mentor for a number of charities focused on serving young people in the inner city.

Baroness Helen Newlove

Baroness Helen Newlove was thrust into the public eye in 2007 following the horrific murder of her husband, Gary. Baroness Newlove was subsequently given a peerage in 2010 and served as Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales between 2012 and 2019. Baroness Newlove remains a campaigner for victims of crime and is Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the University of Bolton.

His Honour Timothy Pontius

His Honour Timothy Pontius was called to the Bar in 1972, practising as a criminal barrister for 16 years. After a further 7 years as a Deputy and Assistant Judge Advocate, he was appointed as a Circuit Judge at Blackfriars Crown Court from 1995 to 2008, and subsequently as a Senior Circuit Judge at the Old Bailey from 2008, before retiring in 2016.

James Treadwell

Professor James Treadwell is Professor In Criminology in the School of Justice, Security and Sustainability at Staffordshire University. Prior to entering academia, James worked for both NACRO and the National Probation Service. Recent research has included examining crime in prison and criminal drugs markets in the poorest areas of the UK.

Kevin Hurley

Kevin Hurley was the independent Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey, between 2012 and 2016, following more than three decades as a police officer. Kevin famously served as the Borough Commander for Hammersmith and Fulham, supporting his police officers and staff to serve the public and fight crime and disorder.

If you believe you have valuable expertise or skills to bring in support of The Public Safety Foundation and share in our vision and mission for making the UK the safest place to live, work, and raise a family, get in touch.

Rory Geoghegan, Founder, The Public Safety Foundation

“Those brave men and women who go out each day and night to fight crime and disorder on our behalf deserve nothing less than our full support.”

“Those brave men and women who go out each day and night to fight crime and disorder on our behalf deserve nothing less than our full support.”

Our Founder

Rory Geoghegan
Rory Geoghegan
Founder

Rory has spent more than a decade working on law and order, from fighting crime and disorder on the beat as a neighbourhood police officer in south London to advocating for anti-crime policies in the corridors of Whitehall and Parliament.

Prior to the launch of The Foundation, Rory served as Special Adviser to the Prime Minister on Justice and Home Affairs in the No10 Policy Unit. He has subsequently served as Special Adviser to the Home Secretary, the Rt Hon Suella Braverman KC MP.

Rory is unique in having served as both a Constable and to have spent time at the heart of Government working exclusively on public safety. He has seen the reality of the frontline, the reality faced by victims of crime and disorder, and the barriers in Westminster and elsewhere that prevent us from making the UK the safest place to live, work, and raise a family.

Having been the victim of a serious crime in the line of duty, when he was shot at by the suspect he was chasing, Rory understands all too well the risks that police officers take on behalf of the public, and is clear that in striving for world-class policing, we must never take for granted the very many good crime-fighting cops who we all rely on to keep us safe.

Rory has regularly written for and appeared across a range of media, including The Daily Telegraph, The Spectator, ConservativeHome, GB News and LBC. He has spoken at conferences both in the UK and overseas.