The steps to making your festival safe and secure

Festivals are an incredible opportunity to unwind, party and enjoy extraordinary entertainment. Hosting a big event isn’t the most straightforward feat. Still, with plenty of planning and sensible security measures, you’re likely to see a lot of success! Perhaps you’re inviting hundreds to a field venue full of tents with a stage. You may be organising a village festival for a smaller audience. No matter the circumstances, the health and safety of your guests, is your responsibility.

If you’re unsure about beginning organising event security, you needn’t worry! Here are the steps you ought to take in making your festival safe and secure.

1. Complete an initial risk assessment

Before you can select sensible safety and security measures for your festival, you need to know what risks you’re targeting. A risk assessment will analyse the proposed size of your event, the location you’re interested in, and the essential equipment you’ll install for performances. From here, you’ll know the biggest threats to the health and safety of your attendees, and you’ll be able to choose security measures that directly combat those.

2. Start to form a plan

Take your knowledge of the dangers of your venue and your equipment, and create a brief floor plan accordingly. There may be a river through the field you’re planning to use for your festival, so you’ll want to arrange all children’s activities as far away from that area as possible. If you fit chunky speakers that could fall in extreme weather, make sure tents are pitched far away from that danger zone. Your plan will inform the structure of your festival.

3. Involve a security company

Suppose you’re responsible for the safety of an audience for the very first time. In that case, some oversight from a professional will guarantee you don’t make silly mistakes. Present your plan to any security provider you choose, and they’ll identify gaps in your strategy. A security company can also advise on the placement of security guards around your venue. Manned guarding is one of the best ways to keep an eye on guests during your event and demonstrate that you value attendees’ safety.

4. Implement a ticket system

Planning a ticketed event is much more sensible. You can determine who is allowed on your premises and whether they need to be over 18. If drinks are readily available, a ticket system guarantees you won’t illegally serve children alcohol. Tickets also let you set a limit on the number of attendees. You can be confident you’ll have enough space to accommodate your guests, and you’ll have a reasonable ratio of security guards to attendees. Events without tickets are much less predictable, so you can end up poorly organising your security.

5. Consider your crowd management

Which area of your festival is going to be the busiest? Where is there a likelihood of high footfall and the potential for fights or claustrophobia to occur? Try and regulate these areas with metal gates and plenty of staff, and ensure that toilets are readily accessible. Arrange your venue in a manner that makes sense so your crowd spreads evenly. Offer more than one bar or bathroom for significant events, so you won’t have to confront crammed groups, and your customers will be in smaller clusters.

6. Complete bag searches

As attendees enter your venue, have guards complete bag searches. This cautionary step can prevent dangerous drugs and weapons from entering your premises! Consider any entrances into your event to ensure guests can’t slip by unsearched and without a ticket. Bag searches may seem extreme for a small event, but they’re almost always worthwhile!