Ensuring your event security is in place and robust is imperative. Event security has become more essential over recent years with the ever-present threat of terrorist attacks and requires extensive coordination and communication. Experienced security guarding companies have enabled best practices, technologies and innovations to be established to ensure a smooth and safe event execution. However, because security has become a more complex issue, ensuring all aspects of event security are covered is more important than ever.
It is crucial for the success of an event that attendees feel safe and enjoy the event. So what steps are needed to deploy effective event security and create a welcoming and secure environment for your event?
Security Strategy
A security strategy should be devised in the initial event planning process. The types of security you need will depend on the size, scope, location, and type of event you’re planning. It will also depend on the types of threats present at the event that may need security coverage – from property damage or crowd control to monitoring for potential terrorist attacks.
Know Your Venue
Understanding where all potential entry points are in a building or event site is vital. This includes all obvious points of entry such as doors, but all ‘porous’ points – meaning ways a person could enter without using an obvious entry point.
Once all points have been identified, all event personnel should be made aware of them. If an event is outdoors, the event perimeter needs to be determined to enable effective security management. This is usually via temporary fencing or barricades.
Understand Attendee Risk
Ticketed events will allow you to gather data on names of attendees but it’s not always possible to run background checks for all ticket buyers.
Risks will also increase if, for example, an event has a guest speaker from a company with a controversial history. In this case, it’s wise to look for bulk ticket purchases as this can indicate event protesters buying tickets for other people to join in potential disruption.
Crowd Control
Large-scale events will naturally attract larger crowds, increasing the likelihood of something going wrong. Your security team needs to be experienced with managing large crowds and exerting authority if needed.
Your security team needs to ensure exit points are kept clear, and attendees stay within designated areas only. Keeping a count of attendees is also vital to ensure a venue doesn’t go over capacity.
Assess for Potential Terrorist Attacks
Unfortunately, we’re in an age where the threat of terrorist attacks is ever present. Large crowds are an easy target for creating devastation, so we recommend armed security personnel for larger events.
Your security team should check attendees’ bags for weapons or potentially dangerous items, as well as contraband items or certain chemical materials.
Security should also be on high alert for any suspicious behaviour such as scouting the venue layout or feigning interest in activities. Behaviour monitoring also needs to occur outside the venue or event, before potential attackers gain access to the event.
Constant Communication
Your security team needs to be not only in constant contact with each other but also with other members of the event team – from entrance staff to on-site caterers. Any suspicious behaviour or incidents needed professional security can then be easily relayed for a prompt response.
Event security matters. BusinessWatch Guarding provides event security officers local to the Cambridgeshire area and only provides security personnel that are extensively trained, SIA licensed, and DBS checked.
If you’re looking for a security team for your event, then contact us. Following an initial security risk consultation, we’ll work with you to ensure you get the right security cover to work in harmony within your event.
