Festivals are continuing to grow both in size and popularity. With a larger number of people attending it’s essential to have the right security measures in place.

Festivals are a massive draw for people of all ages, and the potential audience for any single event is huge. Big name festivals such as Glastonbury continue to bring in huge crowds, and independent festivals are becoming more common. A big crowd is always difficult to keep in order, but adding drugs and alcohol into the mix will provide a whole new challenge.

To keep a festival safe it’s vital that certain security measures are put in place, and here are some that should be at the top of the list.

Front of House Security

Festivals tend to have one main entrance, and it’s where security should begin, as well as allow the staff to set the tone for how security will be handled for the entirety of the event.

Every festival is different and has specific rules in place about bringing alcohol onto the site etc. All security staff at the entrance need to be aware of these rules, and whether or not it’s necessary to carry out searches.

By preempting potential trouble at the front gate, and either turning certain attendees away or confiscating any items they shouldn’t have, security staff can massively reduce the chances of a security breach.

Perimeter Fencing

Festivals tend to be pretty big, and in some cases enormous, so without an established perimeter security will be in for a bit of a nightmare.

Most festivals have an entrance fee or tickets, and some of the bigger name ones aren’t cheap, so not having a fence is asking for trouble. From a security point of view, it’s crucial to have a fence that is sufficient to stop people climbing over with ease. By doing so, it means that attendees will have to go through designated entrances where there will be security staff posted.

Without fencing attendees will be able to avoid security altogether, bringing with them any drugs, alcohol and dangerous weapons they want.

Static and Patrolling Security

At a festival, there’s a lot going on at all times, and security will need to try to keep an eye on as many areas all the time. This may sound like an impossible task, but by having security placed in specific areas, as well as patrolling it gives you a better chance of securing the entire area.

There’s likely to be several tents, bars and stage areas, so it’s a good idea to have security in places that you think will require constant attention. Static security at events will also act as a deterrent to any trouble-makers in these areas, with eyes on the crowd at all times there’s less chance of trouble.

Patrolling security is ideal for both inside and outside of the event, the outside of the fence will need a patrol to keep an eye out for any trespassers or people jumping over. Then a patrol in and around the event will be sufficient to keep an eye on the less populated areas where there may not be static security.

On-Site Medical Services

To keep any event or festival safe, it’s vital that there is on-site medical services, or at least staff members who are medically trained. With such a large number of people attending festivals, many of which who are drinking alcohol, there’s always a risk of the occasional medical emergency.

When you hear security, you tend to think of security guards, but medical staff are a huge part of maintaining the safety of events. You never know when attendees or staff members may be in need, and having the right resources on-site could potentially save lives.

Festivals never fail to attract a massive crowd, with so many people in one place the need for efficient security is a top priority. To make any event as safe as possible there need to be the right security measures put in place, the list above are imperative and required at any festival.

If you need information about our services and what we can do for you in regards to event security, or have any other enquiries then don’t hesitate to contact us via 0203 246 0094 or email us at office@closecircuit.snobmonkey.com.

Image via Paul Townsend / Flickr

No matter how well you plan ahead, there is always the potential for trouble or hazards at an event. This is why security is essential.

As the owner of a business, holding events or conferences can be extremely beneficial. Whether your goal is to draw in new customers, promote a new product or simply to get your company’s name out there. Planning ahead will be important to prevent anything going wrong, and one of the most crucial things you need to consider is security.

Here are a few ways you can improve the security of your business’s event.

Hire Professionals

The phrase “if you want something done properly, do it yourself” definitely doesn’t apply here. When it comes to maintaining the safety of your attendees, staff and also your reputation, you’re going to want to call in a security company.

Professional security staff will have the experience and knowledge to prevent and handle any situations that could cause alarm at your event, as well as being helpful and approachable for any attendee or staff member in need.

Planning an event will require a lot of your time and effort, so the last thing you need is to be worried that your security isn’t going to be efficient. Hiring security services will give you the peace of mind knowing that it’s in the hands of the pros.

All Entrances and Exits Should Be Monitored

If your event requires a ticket or fee to get in then, it’s essential to have security on the door to keep things in order; that’s a no-brainer. Even if you’re holding an open event it’s a good idea to have the entrances and exits manned; your security needs to start from the front door.

As the person holding the event you’ll know exactly who should be entering and who shouldn’t be.

Know the Layout

Whether your event is in one room, an entire building or a large outdoor site – it’s vital for you and your staff to familiarise yourself with the layout. Knowing where the fire exits are is always a top priority. Make sure staff are aware of these locations so they can escort people to safety as quick as possible.

Your location may have areas that are off limits to the public. Whether someone is trespassing or has just wandered off in the wrong direction – boundaries should be maintained.

Make Staff Easy to Identify

At events where there’s going to be a significant amount of attendees, it will be worthwhile to make sure your staff members are easy to identify, from a security point of view this will make it simpler to spot people who are in places they shouldn’t be. It also makes it easier for attendees to recognise members of staff if they require any assistance.

There are a few different ways you could make it easier to identify employees, for example, name badges and lanyards are two of the most common types of ID at events, and also are cheap to produce.

Communication is Key

Keeping in contact is a vital part of security, especially at events where there will be lots going on and plenty of people to keep an eye on. If you’re working with a large area, or multiple floors of building it will be impossible to maintain face-to-face contact.

In this type of situation walkie talkies will be a massive help to make sure your security can work more efficiently as a unit, if there are any security risks or other incidents, then it will be easy to get some assistance.

No matter how big your event is, you will want to treat security as a top priority and make sure that it’s handled properly. You want your business event to run as smoothly as possible, and the chances are that it will, but that one time you decide that security isn’t necessary is when you’re bound to have issues. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

If you want some information about our services and what we can do for you in regards to event security, or have any other enquiries then don’t hesitate to contact us via 0203 246 0094 or email us at office@closecircuit.snobmonkey.com.