Preparing security for holidays and large gatherings

Holidays and large gatherings pose a different problem from ordinary days. Three factors tend to arrive together: a sharp rise in people coming and going, more leave among the client’s own experienced staff, and more stock or cash held on site than usual. An everyday security plan, however good, was not designed for this.

Re-survey the site before each period

During a peak period the site is rarely what it is on an ordinary day: temporary stalls go up, a stage appears, parking is extended, a walkway is closed off. Each of those changes where the crowd moves and where officers need to stand. Re-survey and redraw the post plan before each period rather than reusing the old one.

Separate entry and exit

Splitting the way in from the way out reduces congestion and makes observation far easier than a single door used in both directions. Staff, supplier and visitor routes should be separate and clearly marked.

Add staff at the right hours

Not every hour needs extra people. Identify each site’s actual peak hours and concentrate the additional cover there, rather than spreading it evenly. Officers brought in to reinforce a shift should be briefed on the plan and walk the site beforehand; nobody should start a shift without knowing the layout.

Control goods and valuables

Deliveries and despatches during peak periods are rushed and come in bursts, and reconciliation is easily skipped. Keep the same counting and sign-off procedure as on an ordinary day, even under time pressure. Areas holding valuables need a dedicated officer rather than being folded into the general patrol route.

Evacuation and first aid

More people means higher risk if an evacuation is needed. Escape routes must stay clear throughout the event and must not be blocked by stalls or materials. Every officer on duty should know where the extinguishers and first-aid kit are, and the nearest route out from where they are standing.

Debrief afterwards

As soon as the peak period ends, take a short session to write down what went wrong: where congestion built up, which posts were overstaffed, which were short, what information arrived late. Written down while it is fresh, it is far more useful than trying to recall it next time round.