Event Security
The rules governing Event security vary from one event to the next, the requirements of which staff needed to be trained or licensed will be specified in the safety certificate. The local authority will insist on certain certification or evidence of training depending upon the type of activities that make up the event and the requirements for being licensed may vary depending upon your job role on the day of the event.
Individuals undertaking such activity on a wholly voluntary basis will
not require an SIA license.
A volunteer must not receive any reward, benefit or payment in kind.
If Individuals are undertaking manned guarding activity at events, they will require an SIA license. Manned guarding activity includes any of the following:
guarding premises against unauthorised access or occupation, against outbreaks
of disorder or against damage;
guarding property against destruction or damage, against being stolen or
against being otherwise dishonestly taken or obtained;
guarding one or more individuals against assault or against injuries that
might be suffered in consequence of the unlawful conduct of others.
You may be required to satisfy one or more of the following Three criteria:
1. Spectator Safety NVQ Level 2 by Edexcel
Candidates must Achieve All of the Following Units:
C29 Prepare for spectator events
C210 Control the entry, exit and movement of people at spectator events
C211 Monitor spectators and deal with crowd problems
C237 Help to manage conflict
A52 Contribute to the work of your team
C35 Deal with accidents and emergencies
2. If the licensable activity undertaken is in relation to licensed premises, a door supervisor licence is required.*
"In relation to licensed premises" means when those premises are open to the public, at times when alcohol is being supplied for consumption, or regulated entertainment is being provided, on the premises.
The extent of the area covered by any of the premises licences will be up to the local licensing authority to decide.
The licensing authority may choose to license a complete event, stadium or venue. This would require all those undertaking licensable manned guarding activities to be licensed as door supervisors, unless exempted in connection with a certified sports ground or stand.*
3. If the licensable activity undertaken is not in relation to licensed premises a security guard license or a door supervisor license is required (holders of door supervisor licences can work as security guards on non-licensed premises).*
*Exemption from licensing applies to in-house employees when carrying out duties in connection with their employer's use of a certified sports ground or certified sports stand for purposes for which its safety certificate has effect.
Employees of a visiting team to such premises are also exempt provided that the visiting team has a certified sports ground or stand.
For a more precise description of the exemption see Section 4(6) to 4(12) of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 as amended and the explanatory notes to section 63 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006.
If you manage, supervise and / or are the employer of individuals who engage in licensable activity, but you do not personally carry out the front line activity at any time, then you need a non-front line license.
If you have a non-front line license you do not need to get another one if you are involved in another area of non-front line licensable activity (for example: if you are a director of a firm supplying door supervisors but you also supply security guards, you will not need to get two licences).
