We are a specialist UK security company providing security for festivals. If you are looking to hire a firm for your upcoming festival or event, we can provide assessments, trained guards, VIP protection, crowd management, access control, emergency planning, and more. Get started by requesting a quote, and we will be in touch with more information on how we can help.
Festival security is one of the vital security services we provide at Stage Security. It is one of our most challenging tasks, but we are always dedicated to ensuring all attendees, performers, and staff have a fun and safe day. Several obstacles can cause danger at a festival, from public disorders to drug abuse, which is why we must be prepared. The steps we take to execute a successful festival and the risks involved can depend on the nature and size of the event.
In this article, we will discuss key steps in planning for festival security and highlight the high risks that our experienced team is trained to identify.
How Should You Plan for a Festival?
As with much of our work, providing security for a festival starts right at the planning stage. This is where we will conduct several risk assessments to determine the current level of risk. For instance, we will assess the current risk of overcrowding and, if necessary, identify actions to mitigate it. Other risks that we frequently encounter include electrical and fire hazards, crew safety and weather or environmental conditions. Ultimately, we must prepare for any scenario, including those that are unexpected or unlikely to occur. Should an unexpected situation arise during the festival, the correct procedures must be in place to counteract the threat and mitigate the level of risk. By assessing the risks, we can determine what resolutions need to be in place before the festival and prioritise resources for the risks that are more likely to happen.
In addition to risk assessments, this early process involves planning the festival in as much detail as possible. We will consider aspects such as site suitability and transport links. It’s essential that the festival site can accommodate the intended capacity, that sufficient transportation options are available for attendees, and that the festival does not negatively impact the local community and environment. It’s also essential to outline what items can and cannot be brought into the festival site in the form of a prohibited items list that can inform security personnel and festival-goers of the clear regulations.
We will also prepare for any emergency to ensure an effective evacuation plan is in place should the site need to be evacuated at any point. It’s vital to liaise with local councils and emergency services at every step to explain the security measures that will be taken, and to hear their suggestions and concerns. When we plan for a festival, we will always produce security briefing packs to provide clear and informative communication for all those who require it.
What Are The Security Operations Involved?
When it comes to the festival week itself, crowd management is crucial to the work we carry out. We make sure that suitable fencing and barriers are in place. It’s essential that a streamlined entrance and exit system is in place and that restricted areas are clearly marked and secured. When permitting access to guests, our security personnel are both friendly and firm when conducting searches, ensuring that a good first impression is made while restricting unauthorised access and removing any prohibited items. Festivals are meant to be fun, but from time to time, some people either take it too far or attend with bad intentions in mind. Our security guards are trained to spot all kinds of bad behaviour, including anti-social behaviour, out-of-control mosh pits, crowd disturbances and drug use, and respond appropriately.
Festivals can lead to unpredictable situations, regardless of the event’s size. They are typically much larger than a concert or an event at an indoor venue and require complex management. Effective communication among all festival staff is crucial for running a safe and successful festival. We will always provide security briefing packs to inform relevant personnel about key information. This ensures that everyone is on the same wavelength regarding various security matters, including prohibited items, evacuation procedures, and key contact information. We take steps to ensure that the security personnel for Stage Security maintain a visible presence and have access to a good radio communications system. We must ensure strong and clear communication between all relevant agencies, including the police, first aid, and event management. We also perform regular spot checks on staff and events car parks, as well as storage areas.
How Is the Welfare of All Parties Safeguarded?
As a professional security firm, it’s our priority to maintain the welfare of all those involved in the successful operation of the festival. It goes without saying that we aim to keep all attendees safe, so they have a fun and entertaining time at the festival. However, there are three particular areas of welfare that we pay special attention to. One of these areas is staff welfare. Festival staff should be able to carry out their tasks without encountering risks. Securing restricted areas, providing efficient crowd management and preventing health & safety hazards help us to keep staff safe. We know that some festival-goers can become loud and aggressive after becoming intoxicated, which is why our security guards always maintain a highly visible presence.
Then there is the welfare of children at family-friendly festivals. There is a risk of children running around where they shouldn’t, getting seriously injured, or losing their parents or guardians at large-scale events. Our personnel hold the necessary qualifications and skills to safeguard the welfare of children and will be fully aware of the procedures to reconnect lost children with their parents/guardians.
Finally, we look to provide adequate solutions to ensure site welfare. This includes setting up lost and found areas, providing necessary supplies to attendees, and ensuring key facilities are available, such as toilets, power points, and food & drink.
Is Customer Service at a Festival Important?
We understand the importance of customer service when interacting with the public. Security for festivals should not make attendees feel intimidated or deterred by an overly intrusive security presence. We do everything we can to ensure everyone’s safety first and foremost, but it’s absolutely possible to achieve this with a friendly and positive attitude. We understand the importance for festival organisers that attendees leave with a positive experience. This is especially true for annual shows that rely on returning attendees. Our role in customer experience starts at the very beginning. We will typically be the first point of contact for festival-goers as soon as they arrive, so we must leave a good first impression. All our personnel are instructed on the essentials of security, as well as people skills, clear communication, and maintaining friendly interactions.
Additional Safety Requirements for Festivals
Hiring a professional security company to oversee your festival is only one of the essential measures that you should put in place. To ensure the safety and well-being of your festival attendees, there are additional safety requirements to consider. For instance, you may need to hire several medical services. You can partner with a medical provider, such as St John Ambulance. This measure will provide you with trained medical personnel such as doctors and paramedics, ambulance vehicles, a mobile medical centre, and first aid equipment. Ultimately, it will ensure that your customers can receive vital treatment during a medical episode, an area in which security guards are limited in their capabilities to deal with. Other partners you may work with include local police forces, Highways England, wellbeing charities, disability organisations, and fire safety consultants.
How We’ve Provided Security for Festivals
We have vast experience working on various festivals across the South East. Our security experts have worked on a range of festivals, from small to large, including music festivals, food & drink festivals, maritime festivals, and cultural events.
LeeStock Music Festival
An example of a festival we’ve provided security for is the LeeStock Music Festival, one of the region’s largest festivals. The event celebrates music and people in honour of local musician Lee Dunford, who sadly died from blood cancer in 2006. The money raised by the festival goes to the Willow Foundation, which helps create memorable experiences for young adults with serious illnesses.
Stowmarket Food and Drink Festival
We’ve also worked at the Stowmarket Food and Drink Festival, a family-friendly event that ensures an excellent day out for all. This annual festival takes place on the first Sunday of every July and typically draws crowds of over 7,000 people. With its focus on food and drink, visitors can choose from a wide range of tasty goods, including street food, pop-up bars, sweet treats and produce stalls.
The Suffolk Show
The Suffolk Show is another family-friendly event that our guards have attended, ensuring a safe and pleasant experience for visitors. The festival raises money for the Suffolk Agricultural Association, a charity dedicated to Suffolk’s food, farming and countryside matters. The Suffolk Show promises a fun-filled day with a range of attractions and activities suitable for the whole family.
1 Big Multicultural Festival
We’re proud to support the annual 1 Big Multicultural Festival, which brings together people of diverse faiths and community backgrounds. This diverse event is run by the Bangladeshi Support Centre, an Ipswich-based charity that supports people from all walks of life. We’ve been working with this festival since 2014 and have seen it grow yearly. Visitors can expect a diverse range of experiences, including international cuisine, live music and dance, sports, and much more.
Ipswich Music Day
One of our favourite local events to cover is the Ipswich Music Day. Set during the summer months in the gorgeous Christchurch Park, this is the UK’s largest free one-day music festival. Attendees can enjoy live music and entertainment across six fantastic stages, as well as fairground rides for both children and adults, street food, a marketplace, and more.
Other local festivals we’ve supported include the Ipswich Maritime Festival, a one-day event held over the August bank holiday, featuring good entertainment and spectacular sailing yachts; the Smoke and Fire Festival; and Summertime Ipswich. Our team is dedicated to ensuring the safety of the public and VIPs while hosting a successful event that is enjoyed by all.
Should You Use a Specialist Festival Security Company?
If you are reading this article, you are likely seeking information about how best to prepare for your upcoming festival. Security for festivals is an essential measure as it safeguards your event from potential risks, ensuring attendees are safe and preventing incidents that could harm someone, disrupt the festival, or expose your business to legal consequences. No matter the size or nature of your festival, it’s highly recommended to hire a dedicated security company with experience in this area.
The benefits of hiring a specialist include:
- Access to experienced guards with a wide skillset so they can safely and efficiently manage crowds, assess threats, coordinate emergency responses, and perform other vital festival security duties.
- Utilise advanced technology and specialist equipment to minimise risk and ensure the festival runs smoothly without a hitch.
- Undergo a thorough risk assessment that identifies potential threats and vulnerabilities.
- Maintain compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
- Ensure that disputes are handled promptly and professionally by trained personnel.
- Keep costs down by arranging a bespoke solution, ensuring you only pay for what you need.
- Enjoy excellent peace of mind knowing that expert guards are in charge of your festival’s security.
Festival security is one of the many professional services we offer at Stage Security. For more information, click the button below to request a customised quote and hear from our team about how we can support your festival or event.
How Good Security Personnel Can Enhance Your Festival
Having a professional team of security personnel who are friendly and skilled at their job can significantly enhance your festival, ensuring the safety and enjoyment of all attendees. Crowd control is a critical element, and guards are skilled at managing the flow of people to prevent overcrowding. They also set up and monitor entry and exit points to avoid bottlenecks. The security personnel will usually be the first representatives of the festival that attendees will face, so offering welcoming, friendly and engaging communication from the outset will leave a strong first impression.
The majority of festivalgoers are well-behaved, law-abiding citizens, so they will feel at ease knowing a security company is there to keep them safe. Guards will prevent incidents by patrolling the site to deter criminal activities and conducting thorough security checks to prevent the entry of prohibited items or attendees with bad intentions. In addition to maintaining order, preventing incidents, and handling emergencies, security guards often serve as the primary point of contact for information and assistance. Attendees may approach a guard for information on the festival, including the event schedule, lost and found services, or directions, or for assistance with vulnerable attendees, such as children and individuals with disabilities.
At Stage Security, we’re proud to have a record of going above and beyond to ensure a safe, friendly and fun event for both attendees and organisers. We regularly receive glowing feedback from event organisers and their customers, some of which is included below.
– “Firstly, a big thank you for all the work you and your team put in over the weekend. We had nothing but compliments and I am delighted we opted to use you for LeeStock. Following on from our previous security arrangement, it was a big step for us, but you made it really easy. Your team was excellent throughout and we were in close contact with your manager backstage throughout the weekend and he was a credit to you too.” – Matt Keogh, LeeStock Music Festival
– “I would like to thank Adam Howes and his team for their work and support at Suffolk Pride 2019. They brought their professional expertise and clear understanding of our needs to our event. They understood and delivered our objectives for the day in a proficient and skilled manner whilst carrying out their role. They embraced the importance of the event which was fantastic.” – Suffolk Pride
– “May I take this opportunity to say thank you, it has been a pleasure dealing with you and the company. Also, we all wanted to pass on our personal thanks to David who was such a nice person and he did such a good job giving us such peace of mind (and a much needed break every night after such long days!). We may be having a similar event next year for WW2, if we do need security again then we will of course be back in touch as you provided us with such a good service.” – Katrina Robertson, Whitton Parish
– “Always on point from a customer perspective and as a festival colleague… these guys nail it everytime very professional and friendly but secure safe with a smile! ! A quality that lacks these days massively… East Anglia’s no 1 Unit.” – Aaron Cooper
– “The boys who did the Spedeworth Camping over the weekend were brilliant, they cleaned the site for us as they didn’t have much to do bless them. Thanks as always.” – Graham, Trinity Park Events
– “A big thank you last night to one of your Security Team for an amazing act of kindness. I didn’t catch his name (description very tall, long black hair, full on beard) but he was an absolute credit to your team.” – Neil Swan, Customer at The Apex
Request a Quote for Festival Security
If you plan to host a festival in the UK soon, we would be more than happy to discuss how Stage Security can assist you. We can provide security for festivals in areas such as event assessments, emergency planning and crowd management. Visit our request a quote page to leave your contact details, and a member of our team will contact you.