Heald’s strategy for developing resilience against emerging threats

As the scale and visibility of events increase worldwide, so do the potential risks, ranging from physical threats such as terrorism to cybersecurity breaches and public safety concerns.

With this in mind, event organisers and authorities need to consider effective security protection while maintaining an enjoyable environment for event attendees.

In this exclusive article, perimeter security experts at Heald highlight five ways to ensure a robust and adaptive security approach:

Technological integration

As security threats become more sophisticated, technological assets should progress accordingly to support situational awareness at events.

Tools to consider include ‘real time’ communication and smart surveillance systems.

Debbie Heald MBE, Managing Director, Heald commented: “During events, it’s important that security personnel have access to real time updates of what’s going on around them so they can respond in a quick manner.

“Access to data like this provides complete operational visibility, facilitating more effective coordination.

“Taking advantage of this type of data to identify incident trends and patterns informs preventative measures for future events.”

Community involvement

Alerting the surrounding community of a large scale event not only helps to promote situational awareness for those in the perimeter of an event, but it adds another element of support.

If the community is aware of the event, it creates a sense of responsibility, with residents more likely to look out for threats and for each other during a period where their neighbourhoods may become increasingly busy.

Giving community members advanced notice of such events and communicating details effectively is a good way to create a trustworthy relationship with those in surrounding areas of the event.

Planning and infrastructure

Urban planning and infrastructure design plays a crucial role in supporting the security requirements of major events and, with the impending Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill (which is currently in consultation stage) in the UK, this is a particularly pertinent consideration.

Debbie added: “Our bollards offer a customisable solution, allowing for tailored security measures depending on the event’s needs.

“Temporary bollards, in particular, provide flexibility and adaptability for varying situations.”

Alongside this, early considerations of security and following frameworks such as the RIBA Plan of Work ensures a comprehensive approach.

This includes conducting security risk assessments, defining requirements, developing strategies and creating detailed plans.

Developing partnerships

When securing an event, it’s vital to create a network of partners to lean on for support.

By partnering with local authorities, security firms and event organisers, sector expertise and resources can be leveraged, providing knowledge to create a thorough security plan.

This collaborative approach enables information sharing, joint planning and resource allocation, ultimately improving the overall security of events.

Incident response and crisis management

Effective incident response and crisis management are essential factors for events.

Planning must include a range of scenarios to minimise the impact of security incidents and ensure a quick return to normality, as Debbie explains.

As highlighted by organisations like the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA), protocols to consider include identifying key risks, developing emergency plans and establishing clear roles and responsibilities.

First aid and medical assistance provisions, alongside evacuation procedures, are also crucial elements.

Debbie concluded: “Safeguarding large scale events requires a forward thinking and flexible approach to confront the ever evolving landscape of security challenges.

“As we navigate a world marked by increasing threats, ranging from physical dangers like terrorism to digital vulnerabilities, it’s important to adopt innovative solutions that support event security without compromising the welcoming atmosphere essential for attendee enjoyment.

“While technological integration, community engagement and collaborative partnerships remain vital pillars of event safety, one factor stands out as particularly important – and that’s perimeter security.

“By strengthening the outer perimeters of event spaces with robust security measures, such as our bollards and barriers, event organisers can create a secure environment that deters potential threats while allowing for seamless event flow.”

Heald

Heald is an international company, a family business and innovator in the field of perimeter security technology.

It is the largest manufacturer of quality security equipment in the UK, with approximately 80% of products and services currently being exported internationally.