The annual series of shows, organised by Live Nation, included two Kings of Leon gigs, the Hard Rock Calling show (with headliners including The Killers, Bon Jovi and Rod Stewart), an Arcade Fire gig and the Wireless Festival, featuring acts including the Black Eyed Peas, The Chemical Brothers and Pulp.
Showsec had to ensure that nearly half a million ticket holders remained safe across a record nine gigs in 13 days running from 22 June through until the 3 July.
The company has provided security at these events for the last eight years, and once again director Simon Battersby led a vastly experienced management team in overseeing all security arrangements.
Battersby commented: “It’s hugely rewarding to see the strength and quality we have across our management team. The operation led by Steve Reynolds and Paul Legge not only featured seasoned campaigners but great new talent that has been scouted, trained and mentored. It must also be said that this talent improves year-on-year.”
As with all major events in London this summer, there’s a lot of focus being placed upon observing procedures by various agencies including the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), the Greater London Authority (GLA) and, of course, the Metropolitan Police Service ahead of events being planned for 2012.
Monitoring changed road closure system
These organisations monitored a new road closure system implemented by Showsec and the traffic management company Sola, which saw Park Lane and other tributary roads closed from 10.00 pm each evening until egress was complete.
Previously, the Metropolitan Police Service managed the egress of the public onto public roads but this year Live Nation – and, in turn, Showsec – took full responsibility due to changes in policing policy.
The decision to put a temporary closure on Park Lane and its tributary roads was a progressive and positive move which enabled the site to clear more swiftly and, arguably, more safely each evening. It also allowed Showsec to distribute the 45,000-65,000 strong crowds to various exits across the area, and offer a safe route towards public transport.
Up to 100 Security Industry Authority-licensed event stewards helped man the closure period each evening, their tasks ranging from implementing diversions and directional stewarding through to road closure marshals trained to Chapter 8 standards.
Hannah Farnham, the festival manager at Live Nation, said: “This year has been a huge success, and we’ve seen nearly half a million customers come through the gates in ten days. It’s been an eclectic mix, both of bands and audience with an interesting audience demographic split each night. Every group acts differently. We have worked closely with Showsec, and they have ensured that the correct level of security has been provided each day, and across each area of the site.”
The varied bill of artists, diverse audiences and the changing site set-ups required vigilant monitoring of crowd safety and behaviour at all times.
Over 600 event security specialists per show were drawn from Showsec’s offices, with London office manager Paul Legge co-ordinating the logistics and organisation.
Legge explained: “While the London office took the lead, we had invaluable support from our offices across England and Wales. The company’s new management infrastructure meant we could provide experienced managers across all areas of the site, all of whom were able to make decisions quickly and excelled in delivering a responsive, reactive and professional service.”
Event security specialist ‘Shines’ with Take That
In addition, Showsec managed the safety of 350,000 screaming Take That fans as the band returned to their home town of Manchester for eight gigs between 3-12 June as part of their record-breaking Progress tour.
The overall security operation was spilt between four agencies. Following detailed planning, Showsec supplied 254 Security Industry Authority-licensed security professionals and stewards.
Showsec’s responsibilities at the Eastlands stadium – the home of Manchester City FC – began with managing the queues before the gates opened, implementing a smooth ingress, guiding the public onto the pitch and stands, ensuring their safety throughout the show and then clearing the stadium.
Mark Wilcock, Showsec’s area manager, said: “Take That’s Manchester tour dates saw us liaising with several different security organisations along with the venue manager and the production team. This meant that communication between myself, Showsec’s operations executive Graham Herbert and the other companies involved was key to the success of the effective crowd management procedures that were in place.”
Wilcock continued: “Our professional, approachable team welcomed visitors to the stadium, ensuring swift crowd flow from the car parks through the turnstiles and into the concourse. We also provided stewards for the perimeter of the large pitch, who worked alongside Manchester City’s own stewards to guarantee the safest environment for the excited crowd.”
Double success in Manchester
Indeed, Showsec’s Manchester office has also been busy securing the city’s football fans, with two separate victory parades for both Manchester City on 23 May and Manchester United on the 30 May requiring safety plans.
Following the successful security operation a week prior, where Showsec ensured the safety of hundreds of thousands of Manchester City fans as they took to the streets for the FA Cup parade (more of which anon), the crowd management specialists then returned to Manchester city centre.
In the second non-ticketed public event, Showsec secured Manchester United’s parade in celebration of their 19th Premier League crown.
Led by Alan Wallace, the company’s northern regional sales manager, 350 Showsec professionals managed the crowd of excited supporters as they surrounded the bus, which bore the number 19 to symbolise the record-breaking number of times the club has won this trophy.
“We worked with Greater Manchester Police and Manchester City Council to plan a smooth security operation across the 4.5-mile route,” stated Wallace.
“Our licensed and trained security and stewarding teams provided excellent crowd management services for similar non-ticketed public events. We managed to combine our national network with in-depth local knowledge.”
Security for the FA Cup victory parade
As thousands of football fans lined Manchester’s city centre in celebration of Man City’s triumphant FA Cup victory parade, Showsec successfully ensured the safety of the players, the crowd and the all-important FA Cup trophy.
The Manchester office used local knowledge and its vast experience of securing public events within the city to secure two separate celebrations for Man City’s victory.
The first, non-ticketed public parade was organised by Manchester City Council, while Manchester City Football Club put on entertainment inside the stadium for the second event which was a ticketed scenario.
Showsec professionally managed crowds of over 100,000 excited supporters as they celebrated the club’s first trophy in 35 years on Monday 23 May. The security teams planned and implemented the complex security operation, including the handover from public to private grounds as the bus carrying the team left the city and entered Manchester City’s stadium.
Working alongside Manchester City Council, the Greater Manchester Police and Manchester City Football Club, Showsec “exceeded the aspirations of the three different stakeholders” and secured the city centre in a very short time scale.
“With all free, non-ticketed events, it’s vital to have efficient communication channels between everyone involved,” stressed Alan Wallace.
“We divided the security operation into two phases, beginning at Albert Square and ending inside Manchester City’s ground. This meant we needed a watertight handover between myself and area manager Mark Wilcock.”
Wallace stated: “We had over 600 trained and licensed Showsec staff securing the entire route, which was a huge logistical operation and a testament to our highly organised booking team that we were able to source all the security professionals we needed in-house and deploy them effectively.”
Safest environment possible for the crowd and the players
The celebrations began in Manchester’s Albert Square where Showsec professionals ensured the safety of the 8,000 capacity crowd and directed people to follow alternative routes once this had been reached.
In order to achieve the safest environment for both the crowd and the players, Showsec staff and Greater Manchester Police officers effectively became a moving human shield, sealing the bus as it made its way along a planned route.
Showsec staff were quick to remove the pedestrian barriers lining the route once the bus had passed, in turn easing crowd movement as people continued on behind the bus towards its final destination.
Inside the stadium, Manchester City had given out 40,000 free tickets for selected fans to enjoy the second celebration of the day: entertainment included an impressive fireworks display and a performance from Badly Drawn Boy.
Second phase of the operation explained
Mark Wilcock, Showsec’s area manager, was keen to explain the second phase of the security operation.
“The handover from the public to a free ticketed event took place at the side entrance of the stadium on Rowsley Street, where barriers were removed to let the bus and escort staff pass through. This marked the end of the parade and the beginning of the club’s own celebrations in their own ground.”
Wilcock went on to state: “Having worked successfully all season securing the club, we understand the high standards expected and are familiar with procedures, the layout, the players and general venue management.”
For his part, Wilcock was in constant communication with Graham Herbert (Showsec’s lead manager at the stadium), keeping him updated on the parade’s position at all times and ensuring a smooth security operation as the bus turned into Rowsley Street.
“As soon as the parade had safely passed through the entrance, our staff replaced the barriers and directed the hordes of fans towards the stadium for entry into the ticketed evening festivities.”
The physical access control market is moving fast. Find out where you stand with the latest edition of IFSEC Insider's comprehensive 2022 State of Physical Access Control trend report, covering all the latest developments within the market. We assess the current technology in use, upgrade plans and challenges, and major trends on the horizon after receiving the views of over 1000 security, facilities and IT professionals.
Get your copy for free today.
