Coachella marked the start of festival season and with this comes the many security challenges faced with large capacity events. So, how can you secure yours this summer?
With any event, large crowds bring increased security risks, whether it be the potential of injuries from bad crowd control or an individual disguising themselves to commit violent crimes.
However, festivals run a unique risk; their vast size and sheer number of festival goers makes managing their security difficult, placing them at an increased risk compared to other event types.
Previous instances of crime at festivals have ultimately led to fewer attendees and even shutdowns as the incident overwhelms the festival’s history, becoming the only memory amongst potential festival goers.
So, how can you prevent your festival from becoming a victim of this?
What Are The Security Challenges Festivals Are Faced With?
As mentioned, all events face risks due to their large size and number of attendees, all condensed into a short period of time.
However, with festivals attracting at times over 250,000 individuals in one weekend alone, there is a much greater chance of crime and other security risks threatening the operations of your event.
There are several security risks your festival could be faced with:
Theft
Festivals often store high-value items including electronics, machinery, sound systems, metal and camping gear.
Having these items all in one location essentially provides a one-stop shop for thieves to steal multiple items easily as the large crowds provide them cover to carry out crime.
Theft can impact businesses, the festival company itself, attendees, and music artists.
Recurring instances of theft can create both short-term and long-term issues including stage suspensions, festival goer complaints and bad reputation for the festival which leads to long-term financial loss.
Crowd Control
Controlling any crowd size carries its risks, so for festivals where crowd numbers will be greater than normal, the risk of poor crowd control only increases.
Overcrowding can lead to stampedes, injuries, increased violence, and at worse deaths, all of which will reflect poorly on the festival and those who organized it.
Additionally, festival organizers could be held liable for any injuries and fatalities which can lead to financial loss from legal expenses.
Trespassing and Unauthorized Entry
Most festivals will have experienced some form of trespassing or unauthorized entry.
This could be in the lead up to the event whilst it is under construction or during it, however, due to them often using back routes to access your festival, this heightens the risk of injury as these routes could be dangerous.
The unknown motives of individuals engaging in this may also place festival goers and any other individuals at risk with their safety as trespassers may look to harm individuals there.
Any festivals faced with overcapacity could lead to disastrous consequences that organizers could be held liable for if shown to have neglected their security with this.
Terrorism
Large events like festivals can entice serious crime such as terrorism due to the large crowd sizes because of both the impact that can be had and concealment they provide.
Terrorist attacks are often sporadic and you may not be aware of a strike until during the event, making strikes often catastrophic to those in attendance.
Crimes like this mostly focus on creating severe impact, so events with large crowds are considered more high-risk to terrorism.
Violent Behavior
Festivals tend to be linked to increased violence levels due to the heightened alcohol consumption and risk of drugs being present there.
These contributing factors are often associated with violent crime and behavior, all of which festivals will be expected to monitor.
However, with thousands of individuals entering the festival site at once, there is a high chance that some individuals entering will avoid capture and this is where risks then increase.
Medical Emergencies
Medical emergencies are more likely at festivals based on the high heats, large crowds, and the risk of drug and alcohol overconsumption.
Where multiple medical emergencies take place, emergency services can become stretched and this can have a knock-on effect to those seeking help.
This is why for security purposes, festivals will be expected to remain vigilant for any external security risks that could be causing this.
Cybersecurity Threats
There are many physical threats to festivals, however, the risk of cybersecurity attacks is also high with various access points that hackers may target.
This could be through the stage electronics, phone masts, and data towers which can be used to gain sensitive information of various individuals attending the festival.
Without the correct protection, this leaves your festival vulnerable to numerous cybersecurity attacks, all of which could have extreme financial repercussions.
How to Secure a Festival Site Against Security Risks This Summer
So, with all these security risks and the main responsibility of protecting all those in attendance in your hands, do you feel prepared to manage them efficiently and effectively?
We explore some of the key measured you can implement to protect against the unique security challenges your festival is likely to be faced with this summer:
Implement Perimeter Fencing
Perimeter fencing acts as a physical criminal deterrent, aimed to prevent access and create a strong security presence that informs individuals that unauthorized access isn’t allowed.
Essentially, it aims to restrict access by blocking the perimeter to all those looking to gain entry without authorisation.
Individuals who are presented with this form of defence will likely avoid this challenge in case of injury or capture as it makes them aware that you have security measures in place with the event.
However, as much as this method is successful in many instances, there is still the risk that those looking to gain unauthorized access will do so.
Individuals can scale fencing and without other security measures to support following this, they will have access in minutes, leading your festival to be overcapacity and at risk.
Therefore, always aim to have this as part of a blended approach, not as a sole tool.
Increase Access Control
Unauthorized access is one of the biggest threats posed to festivals, that’s why your access control measures should be restricted as best as possible to prevent this.
There is a common misconception that trespassing to a festival will be carried out via back routes and unofficial access points, however, many will try their hand through official entrances also.
Individuals may disguise themselves for many reasons, perhaps due to age restrictions, criminal motives, or to simply attend the festival without paying.
Therefore, you need to thoroughly consider the measures in place at all entrances.
You should ask yourself three questions:
- How can you verify individuals comply with age restrictions?
- How will you prevent and capture unauthorized items from entering the festival?
- How will you monitor individuals entering the festival site?
Carrying out ID checks, bag searches, and ticket checks at all entrances is a must-do, but you also need to ensure you’re generally monitoring attendees too for any suspicious behaviour.
One method of doing this is through security guards, however, installing mobile surveillance would also offer an effective solution to monitoring this also.
Install Mobile Surveillance Across the Festival Site
Mobile surveillance is often considered the strongest form of security against unauthorized access, especially across large spaces.
However, with so many attendees using the internet at the event, at times it can become overwhelmed and therefore mobile surveillance that requires this and a power source may not be an appropriate option for a festival.
In these instances, having mobile surveillance solutions that have complete power autonomy and cellular connectivity available themselves would be best as it allows them to work separately to your festival site without you needing to skimp on your security.
Compared to other security solutions, our Solar Surveillance Trailers work to detect, deter, and deal with security risks, providing both live monitoring and recording to ensure your receive protection from start to finish.
Fitted with up to 4 PTZ IR cameras, they offer a near 360 degree view and can see up to 200 metres in the dark.
The biggest benefit of mobile surveillance is that it can be easily fitted into a blended approach to work as a high-quality preventative tool that helps monitor the festival and protect against any external security risks.
Ensure Your Cybersecurity Systems Follow Compliance Guidelines
Festivals make a perfect target for cybersecurity attacks, with such high numbers of attendees, including music artists, employees, businesses, and festival goers, it brings together thousands of individual’s sensitive data all into one place .
And more importantly, it connects them all to the same server or group of servers.
Individuals looking to strike these events could have differing motives, from disrupting the festival’s operations and suspending a particular artist’s set to stealing data of festival goers and businesses.
Cybersecurity attacks can be extremely damaging to a festival’s reputation, so ensuring you meet all compliance guidelines and are protected as best as possible from these types of incidents is vital.
Employ On-Site Security Guards
Due to the number of festival goers entering the site, most festivals will require security guards to support them with both access control and in protecting the festival’s perimeter.
Security guards can be used for ticket checks, crowd control, and manning the perimeter to prevent unauthorized access.
The number required for your festival will depend on various factors including the capacity of the venue and the space in which it spans over.
Consider potential access points and security weak spots that individuals could take advantage of. These places should have boosted security guards to manage the increased risks presented to those areas.
Carry Out Risk Assessments of the Festival Site Beforehand
Preparation is just as important as delivery and you should always complete a risk assessment of your festival in plenty of time prior to the actual event.
Ideally, most will do this within the earliest stages of planning as this will often be required to get permits and ensure the festival is allowed in the first place.
To ensure you complete it thoroughly, you are best to employ an individual or group of individuals who have experience in doing risk assessments and who understand health and safety compliance.
Once the risk assessment has been completed initially, you should continue to check in on this throughout the journey in case of any new security risks or changes that would lead to security changes being required.
Make Sure Your Security Provides Visual and Audio Criminal Deterrents
It’s difficult for security guards to be everywhere at once, therefore you need to ensure that any other security measure in place can also offer some form of visual or audio deterrent to prevent any external threats presented to the festival.
A major element of crime prevention is through deterrents, as such it’s a way of informing individuals of any laws, consequences, and informs them the site is being monitored.
These deterrents are aimed to be off-putting to any external threats and make your festival a more difficult target for them.
Our Solar Surveillance Trailers offer both visual and audio deterrents. Standing at 20 ft tall and with flashing blue lights, they are a strong surveillance presence that aims to leave no mistake to any individuals that your site is under watch.
Additionally, we boost this further by backing them with audio deterrents including, sirens and live voice-down audio message capability which allows trained professionals to cater a personalized warning message to any potential intruders.
Get Festival Ready With Our Fully-Managed Security Service
Getting festival ready doesn’t just apply to attendees and music artists, but for you as organizers too.
Whether it be you’re looking to get ahead of your festival security next year or wanting to boost upon our current security plan this summer, WCCTV are here to support you.
Our market-leading surveillance solutions are designed to manage even the most challenging environments such as festivals.
Interested in learning more about our Surveillance Trailers? Speak with an expert today!
