When planning an event, it feels like one thousand things could go wrong - the last thing you need is a health and safety or security risk. You may be wondering whether you need to hire private event security - in this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know.
Do Events Have to Have Security?
Legal implications are important to consider. You may be required to provide security under a number of UK laws, including:
The Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975
The Licensing Act 2003
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
Other requirements which may be set out by your local authority.
If the former two apply, you should already be aware of security requirements stipulated in your security certification or licensure.
However, the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) is applicable to any event where people are working, or which is hosted at an employee’s place of work. This Act legislates that you must control and mitigate foreseeable risks at work, including security measures to protect guests and employees.
Why is Security Needed at an Event?
Security Officers aren’t there just to check your ID and look intimidating.
Security Officers have a responsibility to look after your guests before they even walk in the door. They secure the area, manage entry and guest lists, and provide a key line of communication between events organisers and attendees.
Once the event is underway, Security Officers are the first point of contact for medical emergencies, criminal activity, crowd management, fire safety, and routine customer information.
For this reason, we believe that Security Officers should be approachable, proactive, and interactive with the public.
We seek to fill our teams with the right people - people who embody our values, bring diverse life experiences, and support each other's strengths and weaknesses. This gives us flexibility to respond quickly and appropriately to any situation.
When selecting a security company, choose a team which aligns with your own values and demonstrates competence in the events security industry.
Legal Considerations for Physical Security in the UK
Providing physical security is a licensable activity regulated by the Security Industry Authority (SIA).
If your event includes members of the public, your security officers must, by law, be SIA licensed.
Most Events Security Officers require a Door Supervisor licence - this is the minimum requirement of all DSS Officers, regardless of their current post.
Not only does this provide us with flexible teams, but it ensures that all DSS Officers have received SIA approved training on important topics like:
Awareness of legislation, arrest procedures, and incident management;
Understanding how to recognise and protect vulnerable people;
Understanding their role in an emergency or terror threat;
Fire and health and safety awareness;
Drug awareness and legislation;
Events management and legislation;
Conflict management and communication;
Safe physical interventions.
Our teams are uniquely formed by teaching the right skills to the right people. We even offer sponsorship for aspiring Security Officers to obtain their SIA Door Supervision licence, significantly lowering the barrier to entry and enabling those who wouldn’t have otherwise considered a role in security to join our teams.
At DSS, we also place great importance on Continued Professional Development. Our officers are encouraged to explore and diversify their skillsets, including continuous development support while on the ground and regular training opportunities.
Always ensure that your Security Officers for public events in the UK have the legally required SIA licensure, and ask your provider about the opportunities they offer for further skill development.
How Much Security is Needed at an Event?
When it comes to security, there is no one-size fits all - the event type, venue, and local and regional circumstances surrounding your event all impact the protective measures you’ll need.
The DSS Operational Requirements Procedure is a detailed analysis which sets out your needs and the services required to meet them, in line with the UK National Protective Security Authority’s recommendations.
For a free consultation, call us on +44 (0) 208 242 1546 or head to our contact page.
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