Anyone attending an event this summer should arrive early for extra security measures, say police. Counter Terrorism Police have delivered ‘Summer Security’ advice, best practice and training to festival workers, staff and security guards covering entertainment and sporting venues across the UK.
The authorities say there is no intelligence to indicate an increased threat to summer events. The new National Coordinator for Protect and Prepare Policing, Detective Chief Superintendent Nick Aldworth, says: “Summer Security is all about making sure people can enjoy themselves safe in the knowledge that the staff around them are trained to know what to do should the worst happen.
“Sadly we have seen that these big public events and crowded spaces can be targeted by those who want to cause harm, but I want to reassure the public that the police, partners and the event organisers are doing all we can to keep them safe and secure. You can help make these events safer by reading our Run, Hide, Tell advice, and to be ready to ACT if you spot suspicious behaviour and activity.
“Don’t think you might be wasting our time, it is always better to be safe than sorry. If something doesn’t look or feel right, tell someone.”
Specialist advice for companies operating in crowded places, split into sectors such as major events, sport stadia, visitor attractions, bars, theatres and shopping centres, is available on the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NACTSO) website.
Police ask you not leave bags unattended or anywhere they could cause a security scare. And never agree to look after anyone else’s bags, no matter how plausible their story. The advice is to be patient with security checks, and that you do not bring unnecessary items to an event.
For official ‘Stay Safe’ advice in the event of a weapons attack, visit http://www.npcc.police.uk/NPCCBusinessAreas/WeaponAttacksStaySafe.aspx.
Picture by Mark Rowe, from May 2018 print issue of Professional Security magazine; DCS Aldworth, right, at launch of London-wide Servator deployments, Parliament Square, central London.
