The Institute’s View

The Manchester Arena Public Inquiry’s level of scrutiny has laid bare the weaknesses and vulnerabilities in the event industry and wider sectors. No-one needs to be convinced that change is necessary. In much the same way that the Lord Justice Taylor report served to enhance crowd safety at football stadiums after the Hillsborough disaster, the Manchester Arena Public Inquiry is driving change at a faster pace than would ordinarily be achieved.

Events such as Hillsborough and the Manchester Arena terrorist attack raise questions about whether they occurred as a consequence of individual failings, due to a failure of Government strategy and regulation, as a consequence of a breakdown in communication, co-ordination, planning and training or all of the above and more.

Whatever the scenario, the families of the victims deserve answers. Were there simple, reasonable and proportionate steps that could have been taken to either prevent or reduce the impact of any given incident?

There’s an abundance of advice regarding what we need to do, but a scarcity of support in terms of the practicalities of ‘doing’ it (ie completing a risk register, identifying the threats and vulnerabilities, implementing contingencies that are compliant and then developing an action plan).

These are not simple tasks. Even the most basic research reveals numerous approaches for accomplishing them. Often, managers just need a qualified specialist with whom they can discuss key points. Someone to reassure them and support their understanding.

Given the Protect Duty proposals and the increased responsibilities that come with it, this is a seminal moment for those who protect people in crowded places. We all recognise the need to integrate crowd safety and security disciplines and to institute a collaborative approach across a wider range of sectors with a wider range of stakeholders. However, budget cuts, supply chain issues and the continued erosion of the roles and responsibilities of those typically charged with maintaining public order and public safety have placed a growing burden on the private sector.

Special Interest Group

The official launch of the Protecting People in Crowded Places Special Interest Group will be a Continuing Professional Development (CPD)-certified event. Taking place at The London Stadium (the home of West Ham United FC) on Thursday 21 April 2022, the launch event features an array of world-leading speakers including Professor Keith Still and Professor Chris Kemp, who’ll be joined by a panel of Special Interest Group co-chairs.

The Special Interest Group is being co-chaired by Anne Marie Chebib (secretary of the UK Crowd Management Association), Gary Simpson MSyI from ASM Global, Simon Ancliffe (of Movement Strategies) and Simon Roberts from the Natural History Museum. I’m serving as the sponsoring director. Between us, we share a deep understanding and a breadth of experience around safety and security in crowded places.

Collaboration between professionals will ensure that we’re heard. Together, we can influence policy-makers regarding issues facing the industry, while also providing peer support. It’s about contributing nationally and internationally towards developing and improving guidance and Best Practice in order to protect crowded places. In addition to exerting influence, our objectives include thought leadership, education and working in partnership.

In terms of thought leadership, we want to inform and advance thinking around the roles and responsibilities relating to risk, new legislation, ‘grey space’, publicly accessible locations and the techniques used to protect crowded places. Education is focused on advancing the security community’s awareness and understanding of new legislation and guidance.

Further, we want to highlight the importance of multi-agency co-operation and working with stakeholders at all levels openly and transparently to effect positive change. We must lead by example in this regard. Providing CPD opportunities and promoting good working practices to improve standards in the disciplines of safety, security and risk management will be a key requirement.

Room for improvement

Events that attract mass media attention are often negative in connotation. However, it’s important to always bear in mind that, on a daily basis, millions of individuals and families shop in our High Streets, journey through transport systems and visit places of worship, cinemas, theatres, museums, sporting events and festivals without incident due to the dedication and professionalism of those involved in our industry.

Every single day, the majority of us operating in the security space ask ourselves how we can do our jobs even better. The new Special Interest Group provides a platform upon which to answer that very question.

Rob Kennedy CSyP FSyI is a Board Director of The Security Institute (www.security-institute.org)