Top 10 Reasons to Have Security at Your Event
When planning an event, whether it’s a small gathering or a large-scale affair, ensuring the safety and security of attendees should be a top priority. The presence of professional security personnel not only provides a sense of reassurance but also plays a critical role in safeguarding the overall success of your event.
Professional security guarding services will not only help to make your event safer, but they can also increase the legitimacy of the event, helping to build trust in your attendees. In this article, we explore the top 10 reasons why having security at your event is an essential investment.
Crowd control
Large events often attract sizable crowds. Security personnel are trained to manage and control the flow of people, preventing overcrowding and ensuring a safe and orderly environment. This is a legal requirement for many events, so having specially trained security guards and proper measures for managing large crowds is essential. Working with a
Prevention of unauthorised entry
When you are selling tickets to your event, you need to make sure that no one is gaining entry for free. And once your event has sold out, you need to make sure you don’t go over the safe and legal capacity of the venue by having people sneak in without tickets.
Security guards help maintain access control, ensuring that only authorised individuals enter the event premises. This helps prevent gate-crashing and unauthorised access, enhancing the overall security of the event. This also makes it fairer for those event attendees who support the event by purchasing their tickets.
Emergency response
In the event of emergencies such as medical incidents, security personnel are trained to respond swiftly and effectively. Their ability to manage emergencies contributes to the well-being of attendees. Emergencies are common at events due to high instances of drinking, drug use and dehydration. There is also the risk of injury due to falling or getting crushed if there is poor crowd management in place.
Deterrence of criminal activity
The mere presence of security guards acts as a deterrent to potential criminals. This proactive approach helps prevent theft, vandalism, and other criminal activities, creating a safer environment for all attendees.
A strong event security presence can help to deter individuals from bringing drugs or outside alcohol into the event, making it safer for everyone. Specialist security with drug detection dogs are recommended for high risk events.
Conflict resolution
Events can sometimes lead to interpersonal conflicts. Security personnel are equipped with conflict resolution skills, helping to defuse tense situations and prevent escalations that could disrupt the event atmosphere.
As part of the training requirement, event security guards are required to learn how to diffuse situations verbally, rather than relying on physically removing individuals from an event. This skill is an essential part of the security guard training that will help to keep the atmosphere pleasant, even if an individual steps out of line.
Protection of VIPs and performers
If you have invited high profile individuals to perform at your event, you need to ensure their safety. Security guards provide a layer of protection, ensuring the safety and privacy of these individuals, as well as managing the crowd around them.
Security guards will often be tasked with managing access to specific areas throughout an event, ensuring that only those with AAA credentials are able to get anywhere near the artists and their crew.
Traffic and parking management
Efficient traffic and parking management are crucial for the smooth flow of an event. Security personnel can assist in directing traffic, managing parking areas, and preventing congestion, contributing to a seamless experience for attendees.
Event attendees may arrive at different times, but they will likely all want to leave at the same time. This can present a unique challenge for security professionals to ensure the smooth flow of traffic and minimal disruption to the surrounding areas.
Asset protection
Events may involve valuable assets such as equipment, merchandise, or sponsored items. Security guards play a vital role in safeguarding these assets, reducing the risk of theft or damage.
Without security guards in place to provide a visual deterrent to attendees, there is the risk of damage to equipment and even theft. Security guards will need to be on site from the start of the event set-up to the end of the take-down in order to provide ongoing protection.
Peace of mind for attendees
The presence of visible security offers peace of mind to attendees. Knowing that security measures are in place helps create a positive and secure atmosphere, allowing attendees to focus on enjoying the event without unnecessary concerns.
Attendees will be able to relax and enjoy themselves if they can feel confident that any hostile attendees will be dealt with promptly. It will also encourage attendees to be on their best behaviour, as they won’t want to risk being removed from the event.
Liability mitigation
In the unfortunate event of accidents or incidents, having security at your event can help mitigate liability. Security personnel can document incidents, provide witness statements, and assist in the overall investigation process. They can also coordinate with law enforcement if they need to bring individuals to justice for their actions.
Working with an external security company means that you will also share in the liability and can be separated from the liability if things go wrong. As an event organiser, you will hire a security company to provide specific services. If they fall short in these provisions, you will be within your rights to take legal action against the firm.
Conclusion
In the realm of event planning, prioritising the safety and security of attendees is a fundamental responsibility. The decision to have security at your event goes beyond meeting basic requirements; it is an investment in the overall success and positive experience of everyone involved.
From crowd control and emergency response to deterrence of criminal activity and protection of assets, the top 10 reasons outlined above underscore the indispensable role that professional security personnel play in ensuring the smooth and secure execution of any event.