Government urged to review public event safety framework

Nichola Evans, Partner

A new Police Inspectorate report has called for a Government review of public safety arrangements at events, warning that improvements achieved at sporting events have not been matched consistently elsewhere. It recommends a wide-scale review focused on protecting the public.

The Home Secretary asked the Inspectorate to examine how the police work with safety advisory groups (SAGs). Focusing on music festivals and other cultural events, the report concludes that event operators face inconsistent decisions because of gaps in legislation, guidance and regulation.

His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary Michelle Skeer OBE QPM said:

“The warning we heard from too many people on this inspection is that it is a question of when, not if, public safety at an event will go wrong.

“We are concerned that the lack of legislation and statutory guidance for non-sporting events is leading to widespread inconsistencies in the police’s public safety operations. They, and the public, deserve clarity so that police forces can work with local authorities and event organisers to protect the public.

“That is why we are calling for the government to carry out a review of public safety arrangements at events and the wider issues our inspection raises. This review, alongside the wider recommendations we make, will help make vital improvements to event safety”

In addition to the call for a review, there are a further 36 recommendations to be found in the report including:

• improving the training for police officersand staff involved with planning for public events and working with SAGs;
• strengthening the guidance for police forces and SAG chairs and attendees, including on the management of critical incidents;
• making sure there are robust quality assurance processes for the use of artificial intelligencein risk assessments;
• clarifying the funding that police forces can access for safety operations at public events; and
• developing a national police support function for events and introducing a national risk assessment matrix for all public events.

The report can be found here An inspection of the police’s role in safety advisory groups: planning for major public events – His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services

We will provide a further update once the Government publishes its response.