Summer Events, Safety and Counter-Terrorism

The summer of 2022 is proving to be one of the hottest and driest on record. That’s been good news for the organisers of outdoor events and for hospitality and catering venues because it increasing numbers of people have been encouraged to venture outside to enjoy the sunshine and the open air. However, while many businesses will welcome this, the trend brings with it a number of important risks.

Crowds and Theft
The summer season has seen huge crowds descend upon coastal and rural holiday hotspots, upon urban parks and around various popular leisure venues. It has also meant that large numbers of people have pressed into confined spaces in city centres, near sports venues and around public transport hubs including tube, tram, bus and railway stations.

For criminals, an environment in which people are constantly passing and jostling one another presents an easy opportunity for pickpocketing, stealing luggage and other forms of theft. Faces come and go quickly in a crowd, and it’s almost impossible to keep track of what every passer-by is doing.

One can, of course, post warning notices and play recorded messages to alert the public to the risks but such measures are little deterrent to thieves. A more visible and proactive approach is often required, particularly for organisations that are taking responsibility for an organised event.

In venues and gated outdoor events, manned guards stand as a very visible reminder to criminals that activity is being watched and that, should they be seen, they will not so easily be able to fade away into the crowd. Combining this physical presence with a more ‘omnipresent’ security measure such as a CCTV mast adds a further level of deterrent. And importantly, these same measures also act as a deterrent to other unwanted behaviours such as vandalism, aggression or harassment.

Crowds and Safety
Excited crowds and hot weather can add up to a serious safety hazard. Visitors can be injured if crowds surge or become too closely packed, and heat exhaustion can also become a real risk as temperatures rise. The presence of alcohol at certain events can be another exacerbating factor.

This all helps to emphasise the importance of effective crowd control. Indoor venues have clearly defined limits on occupancy for the purposes of fire safety and speed of evacuation, but the same principles should also apply to outdoor events, including festivals.

When organising summer events, it can be very helpful to talk to an experienced security company, and not only with respect to and tasks such as entry control and bag-checking. An experienced specialist can advise at an early stage on important issues such as site design, likely bottlenecks, evacuation planning, access for emergency services, and the potential value of using additional security measures such as CCTV. The resulting advice can help to ensure that security is effective without being overbearing and without impinging on the customer experience.

Crowds and Counter-Terrorism
As previous atrocities have proved in the UK and overseas, large crowds can also provide an easy target for terrorists intent on causing maximum damage. In public spaces, risks can include physical assault, the use of explosives, or employing vehicles as a weapon. Each risk demands specific safeguards.

Initial entry checks are an obvious and essential security measure wherever there could be a threat of terrorists using explosive devices or concealed weapons. Bag-checking is never an exciting prospect for visitors but an experienced security company can apply tools and techniques to ensure that the process is safe and efficient, and that the visitor feels both reassured and respected throughout.

Beyond that first point of entry, a manned security presence is always a key element of a good security strategy. ‘Boots on the ground’ make a crucial difference to an organisation’s ability to monitor activity, to deter attacks and to respond to any emerging threat. This is particularly important in enclosed spaces such as indoor venues or gated outdoor events.

However, intelligence and co-ordination are also very important, which is why CCTV can be so valuable. Using well-placed cameras, a skilled team of security operatives can discreetly monitor suspicious behaviour or individuals and liaise directly with staff on the ground to prevent risks from developing. That might be anything from a gap in the perimeter fence (allowing unauthorised visitors into an outdoor event) to suspicions regarding concealed weapons or unattended baggage.

Awareness and early intervention are vital to an effective security management plan, and the combination of on-site personnel and dedicated monitoring staff helps to keep security tight.

As to the risk of vehicles being used to harm pedestrians, good site design can prevent many risks from the outset. For outdoor events, the site planning process might consider making use of existing features such as steps, trees, ditches, walls, benches and other street furniture, as well as sharp turns in the access route – any of which could potentially limit the risks when used as part of an intelligent vehicle-protection plan. However, event and venue hosts can also call upon a number of specialist products including highly effective road barriers that will stop most vehicles even when they are travelling at speed.

Find Out More
For advice about security planning, training or on-site support, please call us on 0800 035 6607. Alternatively, you can send us your questions via our enquiry form.