If you’re planning a high profile event, your first question may be regarding the number of security staff you should look to hire – after all, the safety of your guests is surely paramount. It’s a difficult question to answer without the relevant expertise in the area of security, which beyond the industry itself can be tricky to grasp.
Ultimately it all comes down to what kind of event you are looking to provide, but in this article we will break down all the different kinds of security, from VIP events, to crowd control, to close protection security. To start with, we should ask the question; what constitutes a high profile event?
High Profile Event Security
A high profile event is likely to have VIPs in attendance, meaning security risk undoubtedly increases. Those involved in VIP event security will be highly trained in ensuring the safety and security of those high profile individuals. Risk assessments and logistical know-how are vital for any good high profile security agency.
Good security patrolling practices include, but are not limited to, checking the toilets for substance misuse, looking for fire hazards, checking for health and safety hazards and so much more. VIP security services involve a lot more than you may initially think, so it’s vital that you are able to make the right calls on numbers and expertise needed.
As well as risk assessment, event security teams are also responsible for other elements of safety and security behind the scenes, such as CCTV monitoring. Depending on the scale of your event, you might consider using both forms of security to ensure your event runs smoothly.
You can never take too much care when it comes to protecting and looking after your guests to the highest possible standard. Preparation and planning is paramount, so keeping in contact with your security services on all aspects of the event is something that should definitely look to do.
You should also take time to consider the kind of security you have on the door – the old style aggressive ‘if your name’s not down, you’re not coming in’ style of bouncer is thankfully a stereotype of days gone by in the security industry.
Nowadays, a good door security officer should be able to handle enquiries and deal with potential situations with minimal fuss. Of course security is primarily about protection, but that should never be to the detriment of personability or friendly demeanour.
Alcohol is a Factor to Consider
If your event is serving alcohol, then the security risk increases considerably, given that attendees under the influence are more prone to requiring assistance. So, how many security guards do you need per person for your event?
The general number for each event should be around 1 security per 150 people, but this halves in the event of alcohol being served, so factor this into your costs. It is essentially a judgement call in many cases, depending on the kind of event you plan to provide.
It may not always be that things are likely to spiral out of control when serving alcohol, but it’s important to consider the risks and decide whether or not it is the kind of event in which attendees are likely to consume a great deal of alcohol, or if it’s likely to be relatively calm.
As mentioned, a lot factors into what kind of event you want to host, whether it’s an exhibition, a concert, a product launch, a sporting event, or regarding a public demonstration – this will ultimately factor into how many security staff you need. The 1 per 150 is a generally good rule of thumb, though of course it’s worth making judgement calls as to whether you need that much, or if you need more.
You might also look into hiring stewards who can assist with extra supervision where needed. Though they lack the training of security guards in general, they can still be a huge part of your event if it happens to be larger. They are also likely to be first aid trained, which is a huge benefit. It would definitely be worth consulting your security company as to how stewards can assist, if needed.
How Much Will it all Cost?
Again, this will depend entirely on your needs, as well as the size and scale of your event. The best way in which to find out is to contact the security services directly and ask for a quote, providing as many details as you can.
It will also depend on the VIP factor – higher profile guests would require higher profile services. A high profile security guard may sound like an unnecessary expense compared to a standard one, but with increased risk comes increased need for security. You may need to even invest in other kinds of security, such as close protection security. But, what is close protection security?
Close Protection Security
Known generally as bodyguards, a Close Protection officer will protect your VIP guests from unwanted attention or physical harm, using risk assessments and discreet surveillance in order to do so. With all kinds of threats to security existing nowadays, it’s vital to be one step ahead.
VIP security services are essential for higher profile guests, as they provide a service on an individual level that general security is unable to do. Close Protection guards tend to have Commercial, Government, and Military backgrounds, and are trained to the highest level, meaning your special guests are in highly capable and safe hands.
Threats to consider could be anything from potential stalkers to terrorist organisations or organised crime. This is essentially another factor that will need to be taken into account when planning your event – how many high profile guests are likely to need a Close Protection guard. Your choice of security is crucial to ensuring your event runs smoothly, and that all potential risks are accounted for and minimised. The call is yours to make, though you can contact us for more information on how we can meet your needs.
