The ingress and egress phase of venue operations is a time when customers and members of the public may be most vulnerable. Considering the safety and security of staff and visitors is an essential task for those responsible for any premises. Recognising vulnerabilities in these situations and striving to reduce them is a fundamental part of protective security planning.
NPSA's 'Mitigation of terrorist threats at venues during ingress and egress' guidance aims to highlight the primary security concerns arising during the ingress and egress phases of venue operations. It subsequently details various strategies for mitigating the related risks.
The guidance outlines potential vulnerabilities during ingress and egress and then provides a scalable approach to security regimes, from a basic design to more complex solutions. It covers:
- Crowding during ingress and egress
- Key components of reducing risk
- Understanding potential threats
- Identifying vulnerabilities during ingress and egress
- Control measures to be considered when looking to reduce risk
- The importance of recording security processes, testing, reviewing and revising
- Through an example, shows how control measures may be applied at a venue
The guidance can be applied to any venue where crowds are likely to form, ranging from stadia, concert venues and exhibition centres through to nightclubs, shopping malls and even temporary sites that are set up for short periods such as festivals.