With 24/7 security protocols, well-trained staff and ongoing collaboration with local police and security organisations, Worcester Show is committed to keeping its visitors safe.
Our security practices include:
- 24/7 security on site from when we build the show site, till it’s cleared away from Pitchcroft, with 24/7 security patrols internally and externally and monitored CCTV of internal and external areas
- security staff stationed at all points of entry and exit
- all staff are connected by radio for fast and effective communication
- traffic and pedestrian management systems in place
- search and screening in operation for all visitors, including bag and person search using detection equipment if deemed necessary
- regular searches of the event space
- all stalls are screened in advance and inspected by staff throughout the day and waste bins are regularly checked for contamination
- daily close working with local police and other security officers in the local area, to exchange of information and intelligence
- environmental scanning, using social media and a variety of other sources to keep us abreast of current trends
- regular meetings with an independent Security Advisory Group
- risk assessments conducted for all events and emergency planning in place to respond to different threats and incidents.
Our training
A big part of what keeps Worcester Show safe is our community of staff, who are both trained and regularly briefed on issues of safety and security.
All staff complete Awareness Counters Terrorism Training (ACT) training. We also receive training and current threat information from the local policing team and the Counter Terrorism Unit. Our traffic management and on site event security staff are led by a Level 4 qualified Safety Officer who has a wealth of experience in managing large scale events.
The traffic management team is made up of SIA personnel, event stewards (NVQ level 2 and 3 spectator safety), parking marshals, Chapter 8 / LANTRA traffic management personnel, event managers plus many more. We recruit on a regular basis and provide both classroom based training and practical training using a ‘buddy’ system. We also have a Level 4 qualified safety officer that works with us who would be based in the Event Control room.
Customer-facing staff and security officers are trained in protective security, counter-terrorism and emergency response procedures, and daily briefings are given to all staff including up to date security information. All staff are trained regarding fire evacuation procedures using 24 / 7 monitored equipment, and other emergency evacuation and in-vacuation procedures.
Working together with the police
We have an excellent and close relationship with West Mercia Police – including the Counter Terrorism Unit. The local policing teams will be on site during the event and are visited frequently by them and their team, including ad-hoc uniformed patrols both inside and outside the event space with Castle Street Police station within a 4-minute walk.
As a member of the Security Advisory Group, we receive guidance from a local senior police officer, and are part of an information exchange facility with police and local businesses.
Safeguarding and lost child
Worcester Show staff are keen to make sure everyone enjoys their visit and so we are prepped and prepared to ask any visitor who looks in need of help if they are ok. All our staff are trained in safeguarding and will be wearing uniforms and carry identification.
We have a lost child and vulnerable person procedure in place for the Worcester Show. We have in place a free wristband service at the entrances for visitors to use during the event. In the event of a missing person, attendees should head to the information point.
Our Event Control will be notified who will communicate to all staff onsite via radio. Event Control will monitor and risk assess; determining, if the person or parent is not found, at what point the incident needs to be escalated to our local policing team.