As the UK prepares for the upcoming events of 2024, a leading manufacturer of hostile vehicle mitigation systems, Heald, surveyed 2,000 Brits¹ to uncover their perception of safety at public gatherings during the year ahead.
This timely investigation by Heald gains significance in light of recent Protect Duty updates, including the ongoing six-week public consultation. This consultation is focused on updating security measures for Standard Tier premises under the legislation (also known as Martyn’s Law and the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill).
How safe does the public feel attending events?
According to Heald’s new study, individuals feel concerned for their safety when attending public gatherings (6%)². The events where individuals feel the least secure include sporting events (28%), with men more likely to be more fearful (30%) than women.
One respondent expressed that he feels nervous about attending events like football games due to the aggressive attitude of some fans: “Many football game visitors don’t come to see the match, but they come to fight. Football should be visible on TV only.” Research supports this sentiment, with public disorder (35%) and violent disorder (20%) making up the total number of arrests during the 2022/23 football season³.
Cities that feel sporting events are the least safe include Cardiff (40%), Southampton (38%), and Norwich (33%), according to Heald’s survey.
The new data reveals that women are more likely to feel uneasy when attending concerts/music festivals, with 37% reporting a sense of insecurity. Gig attendees in Belfast (61%), Bristol (40%), and Edinburgh (36%) are also among those where attendees feel least safe. These findings are backed by YouGov research⁴, which indicates that one in five women have experienced harassment at a festival.
What factors influence the public’s sense of security at events the most?
Heald’s study found that event goers feel like crowd size (25%) influences their sense of safety the most. This heightened concern regarding crowd size stems from various factors, including the potential for overcrowding, difficulty in navigating dense crowds, heightened anonymity, which can facilitate misconduct or crime, and challenges for event organisers in effectively managing large numbers of attendees in emergencies. However, respondents reveal that if venues had more bollards and barriers surrounding the perimeter (20%), this would reduce concerns.
This preference for heightened physical security measures at events suggests that visible infrastructure like bollards and barriers can reassure attendees by highlighting safe zones, managing crowd flow, and deterring unauthorised access or hostile vehicle incursions. This finding follows respondents emphasising that past incidents, such as the Manchester Arena attack, influence their sense of security, negatively impacting their confidence to attend future events. In addition to implementing perimeter security solutions, there is a call for increased security personnel.
As the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill nears enforcement for venues with over 100 attendees, event organisers and venues must prioritise securing their premises.
How can event organisers and venues enhance event security measures?
Establishing a comprehensive event security framework means event organisers and venues must consider a holistic approach to safeguarding visitors. While physical security measures such as bollards and barriers are effective at protecting against specific threats, they are just one piece of the puzzle, Heald’s owner and managing director, Debbie Heald MBE, explains.
In conjunction with perimeter security solutions, comprehensive surveillance systems provide constant monitoring and early detection of suspicious activities. Additionally, deploying well-trained security personnel ensures prompt response to security incidents and enhances crowd management capabilities; this is particularly important at the entrance of venues. Effective emergency response protocols mitigate risks and ensure swift and coordinated action in crises. Debbies continues: “It’s the combination of these elements, alongside effective hostile vehicle mitigation solutions, that ultimately contributes to the desired outcome of safe visitors and secure event environments.
“It’s disheartening to see widespread concern among individuals attending events, and event organisers and venues must prioritise listening to the sentiments of the UK public concerning their event experiences. Neglecting these problems could lead to a significant downturn in the vibrancy of events in 2024 and beyond.”
To learn more about the UK’s perception of safety and security at events in 2024, please visit: https://www.heald.uk.com/news/exploring-the-uks-perception-of-event-security/