SAFECROWDS, the integrated security and counter-terrorism specialist, has deployed an innovative new lanyard system for the first time at a major music festival in Essex.
The event was the first to benefit from SAFECROWDS’ latest best practice initiative, and the lanyards are now a standard issue for the company’s trained security teams and HVM installers at every deployment.
Designed to provide a quick and simple reference guide for SAFECROWDS teams, with information and protocols for varied aspects of counter-terrorism, security, and safety, the lanyards include multiple durable cards in a wearable format so that the information is always to hand.
The new lanyards have been compiled by Jonathan Neal, SAFECROWDS’ head of risk and counter-terrorism, drawing on his expert knowledge of safety and security best practice as a former Counter Terrorism Intelligence Unit and Specialist Operations officer, CTSA and AET-qualified trainer. Each lanyard has colour-coded sections detailing hazards that security teams need to be vigilant against, with clear and concise instructions on what action to take in different scenarios, including marauding terror attacks, suspicious items, suspicious individuals, cardiac arrest and catastrophic bleeding.
Jonathan explains: “All our security and HVM teams have been trained in first aid and have undergone ACT (Action Counters Terrorism) training, but, in an emergency scenario, having vital information to hand can be both reassuring and helpful as a reference.
“The lanyards will be carried by every member of our team, but in the event of an incident, they could also be used by members of the public to give them the basic knowledge they need to act appropriately or support with first aid. We’ve kept the information simple and easy to follow because clear and accessible knowledge can save lives in high-pressure situations.”
SAFECROWDS is involved in various security and counter-terrorism deployments, from providing security and HVM protection at major events such as music festivals and sports fixtures to security for sectors as diverse as retail, hospitality, construction, and the nighttime economy. Jonathan leads the company’s TVRA and VDA capabilities. The lanyards are the latest step taken by SAFECROWDS to ensure risk awareness and mitigation are embedded in the company’s operations at every level.
“We can’t train everyone at an event,” Jonathan adds, “and we don’t want to scare anyone, but we’re hoping these lanyards will not only equip our teams but provide a talking point when interacting with the public.
“If every member of the public were to take a simple piece of knowledge away with them from discussing these lanyards with our team, such as the ‘run, hide, tell’ protocol for what to do in the event of a marauding attack, we could significantly improve resilience and reduce the potential impact of such an incident.
“It’s all part of our integrated security and counterterrorism service and our commitment to keeping people and places safer by training and equipping our team to the highest standards.