"You've got to be able to act when it's necessary to act. And you've got to be able to act where the threat is"

This quote by Lord Robertson highlights the importance of taking action when it is needed. He is recommending that a person must not wait on the threat to come to them, however rather they ought to be proactive and take action prior to the threat arrives. This might suggest taking preventative procedures to safeguard oneself or others, or it could imply acting to deal with a problem prior to it ends up being a bigger issue. It is essential to be able to acknowledge when a situation needs action and to be able to act accordingly. Lord Robertson is suggesting that one must not be afraid to take action when it is essential, even if it indicates going into a scenario that may be dangerous. Acting is typically the only way to safeguard oneself or others from damage.