Security
Terrorism is no empty threat
As events reopen , the threat of a terrorist attack is very real , security experts told the AEV Conference . Emily Wallin reports
The risk of a terrorist attack at an exhibition venue is very real , security experts warned the Association of Event Venues ( AEV ) Conference .
As venues prepare for the implementation of Protect Duty legislation , known as Martyn ’ s Law , set to come into force in 2022 , security experts advised AEV members that they should already be implementing stricter controls to deter attack .
Rachel Duckett , head of national business engagement at the National Counter Terrorism Security Office , said : “ The reality is we have seen two recent attacks and exhibition venues are exactly the sort of places that are likely to be targeted .
“ It has been really quiet because of the pandemic , but terrorism will pick up as soon as events pick up .”
Duckett joined Kerry Mulloy , director of events and operations at ACC Liverpool , and Paul Williams , head of security at the O2 in a session on event security at the 29 November conference at London ’ s Business Design Centre .
Duckett showed delegates terrifying real propaganda footage from terrorist groups . One Isis leaflet advised wouldbe terrorists on how to use a truck to attack a busy outdoor event , another told attackers to buy knives from B & Q .
She warned that more people have become radicalised during the pandemic and that recent attacks on David Amess and the Liverpool Women ’ s Hospital have seen the national security threat increased to ‘ severe ’.
She said : “ People used to get radicalised in six months . Now it can happen over a weekend . Most recently we had an attack stopped just seven days after someone was first radicalised and had just been sat in front of their computer getting angrier and angrier .
Duckett advised that measures as simple as noticable CCTV cameras and security staff in high visibility jackets could deter terrorist scouting out potential targets . She advocated thorough bag searches and eye contact adding that simply asking visitors the purpose of their visit could sometimes be enough to scare potential attackers off .
She also urged caution when posting plans of sites online and on social media .
At present , there is no obligation for any venue to act on advice relating to terror threat activity , but Protect Duty will create legal obligations for venues and local authorities to have clear counter-terror action plans , and more thorough security checks , including bag searches .
Paul Williams head of security at the 02 said that although the report into the Manchester Arena attack came out in June , work to improve venues ’ security had started the day after the 2017 attack . “ Your security level should move up when the threat level goes up ,” he told
EN after the conference .
“ If you were shocked by Rachel ’ s description of the threat level then there ’ s something missing in your organisation . You need to understand the threat . You can ’ t truly mitigate it if you don ’ t understand it .
“ It ’ s vitally important that security levels are proportional – in order to stay proportional you have to adjust to the threat level .”
Williams said that many venues were already implementing the recommendations on Protect Duty , but said the law would help remove gaps in the net .
Williams ’ commitment to keeping security arrangements flexible was demonstrated just two days after his AEV Conference talk , when fans of the Nigerian singer Wizkid breached security cordons at the venue on 29 December .
AEG , which operates the 20,000-capacity venue , said in a statement : “ The situation was quickly contained by staff and the incident resolved .
“ As a result security proceedures have been resolved .”
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