SecurityWorldMarket

03/02/2022

The complicated world of venue security

Papworth, Cambridgeshire

Every security check you deploy creates a line, and the people in that line are vulnerable to hostile actions like attacks by vehicles.

Many of us have all been waiting for the day when we can once again go to concerts and sports events and, finally, we are there. Going to such a large gathering might make someone feel exposed, thinking of the risk of contamination. But what about the other dangers? Since the world has been shut down, there have been few terror attacks, but it doesn’t mean that anything has changed. The perpetrators of these crimes simply have not had the opportunity, says Todd Research, a designer, manufacturer and supplier of X-ray scanners, metal detectors and blast suppression equipment across a diverse range of public and private market channels.

Responsibility

If you are organising a large-scale event, the responsibility for the safety of staff and visitors falls on your shoulders. You are the one who needs to make sure that the venue follows all the appropriate safety measures, and that your employees know what to do. In addition, you must be prepared to handle a critical event, because even if you do everything right, there will still always be a risk that the attacker will get lucky and succeed with the strike.

Some solutions can create new problems

One might think it is simple, just put up some metal detectors here and there, hire some security guards, and then it will all be good. Unfortunately, it is more complicated than that; for example, every security check you deploy creates a line, and the people in that line are vulnerable to hostile actions like attacks by vehicles. It is therefore important to get the visitors into the venue as quickly as possible, and here is where another important aspect comes in, operator training. To search people quickly – without missing dangerous items – your staff needs to have proper knowledge and experience; sometimes operators will only have seconds to decide whether there is a risk, so they need to know what they are doing.

Communication during a critical event

We frequently hear that communication is the key across many walks of life, and it also applies here. In case of a critical event, you can make a huge difference – minimizing the damage and even saving lives – if you have efficient ways to send information, and can quickly establish a chain of command. There are apps for absolutely anything nowadays, and there are even some apps that have been specifically developed for critical event management. One example is Callmy, an app that can send information between situation controllers, first responders and the teams tasked with critical jobs. This app can even override a recipients ‘silent mode’, and relentlessly send message after message until a response is received. Another of the app’s useful features is the ability to send geo-targeted messages; the user can decide to send certain information to those who are closest to the scene.

Selecting the right equipment

There are many types of metal detectors, X-ray scanners and trace detectors to choose from when shopping for security equipment, from classic metal detector arches to search poles, and airport-style X-ray systems to scanners that are so compact they can be carried around by a single person. But which ones are best suited for your specific venue and expected number of visitors? This question can be tricky to answer; all the different pieces of equipment have their own strong sides and quirks, and you need to be aware of them to make the optimal choice.

Just as some people turn to a personal shopper when choosing a new outfit, it can be helpful to reach out to a third party that specialises in security solutions when buying equipment. Todd Research has extensive experience working alongside event organisers, security providers and facilities managers to provide equipment, advice, and guidance. The company can also maintain your security scanners and train your staff, making sure that they use the technology in the best way, and can quickly spot dangerous items and even suspicious behaviour.


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