Written by Ryan Soper
My thoughts are with everyone affected by the attack in Kraków’s Main Market Square. I’m glad to hear the police officers involved are reported to be in a stable condition, although still in hospital. Incidents like this put event security planning straight back to the front of organisers’ minds, even when they happen hundreds of miles away. In this post I’ve set out how I approach it in practice: keeping protective measures proportionate to the event, and looking after an audience that may turn up a little more on edge than usual.
What was reported in Kraków
If you aren’t aware: according to reports, a gunman opened fire in a busy public place, equipped with a long gun and ‘tactical’ gear. Local police stopped him quickly and were injured in the process. Six people lost their lives and others remain hurt. Many will have seen the image of a police officer kneeling and applying a tourniquet to himself. It’s reported that he was then given emergency aid by two surgeons who were eating nearby.
Why an attack elsewhere still lands close to home
When something like that happens elsewhere, it still lands closer to home. Whilst it isn’t inherently an ‘event safety’ story, the ripples are felt, even if only in slightly more nervous attendees or authorities. In my experience, organisers then tend to ask two things:
- How do we reduce the chance of being seen as a soft target?
- How do we look after people who arrive a bit more on edge?
Sometimes there’s a third: suddenly handling a potential ‘knee-jerk’ reaction from licensing authorities, landowners and other interested parties.
Event security planning: reducing the chance of being seen as a soft target
On the first question, the key is to keep it proportionate to the event. A village fete doesn’t need the same set-up as a multi-day festival, but every event benefits from the basics being done well.
Visible, professional stewarding and security
Put a visible, professional stewarding presence at entrances and key points.
Reassure people before they arrive, without oversharing
Security starts before the event. ‘Soft’ social media posts and a section of your website FAQ can remind people of the security arrangements. Don’t include too much detail, as that could have an adverse effect if you were targeted, but definitely let people know you have security on site. Many security providers would appreciate a tag, which will likely result in further sharing and reach.
People react in different ways, so there’s probably no need to mention a specific attack or issue in your posts. Those who are most worried will get the gist.
An entry and bag search policy that matches the risk
Your entry or bag policy should match the risk, not be a one-size-fits-all lockdown that causes a bottleneck at the gate. Remember that searches need good staffing to remain efficient.
Perimeters, vehicles and emergency access
Keep your perimeter and vehicle thinking simple: who can get close, and how would an emergency vehicle get in? Accreditation and secure perimeters play a big part here, and again they need a degree of set-up in advance.
Once measures are in place, review them. For instance, if people are queuing for bag searches, does that queue become a vulnerability of its own? There has to be a line drawn somewhere, but make sure you don’t inadvertently create a worse issue, like a queue running into or across a main road. I’ve seen it happen.
Brief staff to spot and report unusual behaviour (ACT and SCaN)
Brief staff to notice and report unusual behaviour using the ACT and SCaN approach. ACT (Action Counters Terrorism) and SCaN (See, Check and Notify) are free counter-terrorism awareness programmes from UK Counter Terrorism Policing and the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA), focused on spotting suspicious behaviour and hostile reconnaissance. The modules are available through ProtectUK’s free training and awareness resources.
Consider also hosting a short reminder session with marshals before doors open. At one of our events I gave all of the marshalling staff a quick refresher on our protocols (suspicious item, suspicious person, even our lost child procedure) and an update on anything that had occurred.
It worked. One of our marshals, who had no ‘security’ background whatsoever, spotted some suspicious behaviour that looked very much like a hostile reconnaissance attempt. The person was intercepted, ‘customer serviced’ and subsequently left. We can’t say for sure, but that interaction could have helped harden us as a target. Either way, it proved the system worked, and it was a proper smile moment amongst the event management team.
A named liaison with local police and your Safety Advisory Group
Try to have a named liaison with your local police. Depending on your event’s size and area you may not get one, but if they have concerns, they will be in touch. You can always contact your local Safety Advisory Group (SAG) chair, usually at the council, if you have questions or concerns. And make sure the local police, ambulance and fire crews get free tea and coffee if they drop in while on duty. It goes a long way.
An emergency and communications plan the team has actually walked through
Finally, have a short emergency and communications plan, relative to the size and risk level of your event, that the team has actually walked through. A plan nobody has read is not a plan. If you’d like help building this into your wider event health and safety and risk assessment, that’s exactly the kind of work we do.
Where Martyn’s Law fits in
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, better known as Martyn’s Law, has passed into law, but its requirements are not yet in force. The Security Industry Authority (SIA) will regulate it, and public events where 800 or more people may be present at the same time, with entry checks such as tickets or passes, are likely to be ‘qualifying events’ and face the enhanced requirements.
Either way, the measures above are good practice now. We’ve written more in our article on what Martyn’s Law means for UK venues and events.
Looking after a crowd that arrives on edge
After news like this, attendees can be quicker to react to a loud bang, a sudden crowd surge or a rumour. I was almost caught in a stampede once while working as crowd medical at an event in London, and we dragged some promo staff behind hard cover. Something had gone bang, it was a higher-risk crowd demographic, and they all immediately decided it was a gunshot. In that case event control was excellent, with multiple channels and controllers, so we weren’t falling over one another on the radio.
You don’t need a big announcement. Quiet confidence goes further, but your communications will be tested. What helps:
- Visible but relaxed staff, unless an incident has occurred, in which case they should be decisive.
- Calm PA and steward messaging, ideally pre-scripted.
- Clear exits and signage that work in the dark and in a hurry.
- A quick heads-up when something loud is planned, such as pyro, fireworks or a generator starting.
- A team that knows what to say, so speculation doesn’t race ahead of the facts.
- A welfare and medical point people can see without hunting for it.
Security and medical planning shouldn’t sit in separate silos. Our event medical cover is delivered by paramedics and frontline clinical staff under the clinical governance of our GMC-registered Medical Director, and planned alongside your security and emergency arrangements to the Purple Guide, the Green Guide and local authority guidance.
In short: an event security planning checklist
- Keep measures proportionate to your event’s size and risk.
- Put visible stewarding at entrances, and reassure attendees without oversharing.
- Match bag searches to the risk, staff them properly and check where queues form.
- Brief marshals on ACT and SCaN, suspicious items and lost children before doors open.
- Know your police contact and SAG chair, and walk through your emergency plan.
- Plan calm, consistent messaging for a crowd that may be on edge.
Frequently asked questions
What does proportionate event security mean?
Matching your measures to the size, profile and risk of your event rather than defaulting to a full lockdown. A community fete might need well-briefed stewards and a clear emergency plan; a large ticketed event may also need bag searches, secure perimeters and vehicle mitigation.
What are ACT and SCaN training?
ACT (Action Counters Terrorism) and SCaN (See, Check and Notify) are free counter-terrorism awareness programmes from UK Counter Terrorism Policing and the National Protective Security Authority. They help staff and volunteers recognise and report suspicious behaviour, and are available through ProtectUK.
Does Martyn’s Law apply to my event?
Martyn’s Law (the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025) is not yet in force. When it is, publicly accessible events with entry checks where 800 or more people may be present at the same time are likely to be qualifying events. The Home Office statutory guidance sets out the full criteria.
Who should I contact if I have security concerns about my event?
Start with your local Safety Advisory Group (SAG) chair, usually at the council, and your local police.
Want a sense-check on your event security plan?
If you’re running something soon and want a sense-check on any of this, I’m happy to chat. Medirek is based in Alfold, Surrey and comes to you, supporting everything from fetes to multi-day events.
