Debbie Heald MBE, Managing Director, Heald discusses major event security and the growing public concern over terrorism, as new data reveals a sharp rise in perceived threat levels.

Public safety risks

Fear of terrorism is on the rise, according to YouGov research.

In mid-2023, only 14% of Britons believed the threat had increased “a lot” over the preceding five years.

This figure has since doubled to 29% as of June 2025.

When combined with those who feel the threat has increased “a little,” the total number of Britons who believe we are increasingly at risk has climbed from 38% to 54% in just two years.

Large-scale events inherently carry public safety risks.

The sheer number of attendees makes these events more susceptible to vulnerabilities.

Early engagement and planning 

Engaging security experts early in the planning process for major events is crucial.

This ensures that risks and public safety are integrated into the planning from the outset, rather than being considered as an afterthought.

The specific security measures required will vary depending on the event, but key considerations include:

Physical protection

Installing temporary or permanent hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM) measures, such as bollards and access control measures, is vital in securing an event and its premises.

These are typically overt measures that are known to the public; however, in deploying these obvious security measures, the public often feels a sense of comfort and reassurance that they’re surrounded by physical defences. 

Bollards serve multiple purposes in event settings, such as perimeter protection, crowd management, access control, parking management and emergency access.

The specific functions required depend on the event’s scale.

Temporary or removable bollards are typically preferred for outdoor events, while permanent fixed and retractable bollards are a better choice for dedicated event venues.

Visible security personnel 

In addition to HVM solutions, ensuring that visible security personnel are present in and around the venue is important.

Again, a visible presence of security will reassure attendees of the event, but it’s also necessary to handle a large number of people. 

Officers should undergo reputable and recognised training, such as NPSA courses.

The success of security protocols hinges on thorough planning and a well-informed team. 

Security personnel should be present at event entry and exit points, high traffic areas like stages, restrooms and bars and in restricted areas such as backstage.

Mobile teams should also be present to provide continuous surveillance of the outside perimeter of the venue.

Organisers should also consider setting up a security station where attendees can report issues or seek assistance. 

Security officers should also consider having their own room where surveillance can be monitored at all times, enabling fast action should any security risks arise. 

Detection and screening on arrival 

As part of having visible security personnel on entry points, it’s encouraged to undertake screening of attendees.

This could include checks like bag searches and body scanners, but it should also incorporate more advanced technologies such as CCTV, body-worn cameras and facial recognition. 

This screening and detection should continue throughout the event, ensuring that security officers are confident in spotting and managing threats or suspicious behaviour.

Before the event, it’s important that security personnel outline what threats or behaviour they’re looking for.

For example, is your concern an intentional threat, or is it the potential for attendees to display politically motivated banners – or both?

The nature of the event, its environment, and the audience it attracts will dictate this.

Clarity on these concerns will ensure officers understand what to look for.

Emergency protocols

On the occasion that a security incident does happen, some incidents will need to be passed over to external agencies, such as emergency services.

In this instance, event organisers and security personnel must be confident enough to know when to activate emergency protocol and call for outside sources.

Once this has been decided, it’s essential that they have the ability to clearly and effectively communicate information to these stakeholders, allowing the emergency services to respond in the most efficient manner. 

Debbie Heald MBE, Managing Director, Heald commented: “Security challenges are continuing to evolve as threats become more advanced and perpetrators become more sophisticated.

“We can’t ignore this, and preparation and adaptability are key to a robust security approach.”

Additional requirements for compliance

Alongside this, with Martyn’s Law having received Royal Assent, organisations and events of all sizes must now consider the additional requirements for compliance.

Failure to comply with these new regulations could lead to event cancellations. 

For example, a Norfolk village recently cancelled its annual firework display because it could not meet the new requirements due to time and resource constraints.

To continue providing entertaining and meaningful events for communities across the UK, event organisers, even those of small village gatherings, should embrace this new law, taking into account additional resources and timescales required to ensure additional safety factors are considered to meet the requirements of the legislation.