Entrance and perimeter security measures are critical in protecting the people within the building and its vicinity, says Stewart Liberatore.
More than ever, we need to start implementing proper entrance security at our stadiums. A combination of a multitude of people that attend stadium events and security threats from would-be criminals or terrorists means that a pragmatic approach is needed.
Criminals want easy access, while terrorists are seeking maximum damage. Ensuring your stadium has essential measures in place is therefore vital.
Perimeter and entrance security – every second counts
Strategic placement of bollards, barriers or even trees and art installations, can help prevent or slow down a direct attack on the building and its occupants. Hostile Vehicle Management (HVM) should also be a part of your strategic risk management and is increasingly becoming more prevalent as a deterrent to disrupt an adversary’s attack.
Entrance and perimeter security can also have a beneficial impact on staff and visitor wellbeing. Nobody wants to feel like they are visiting a prison but seeing and knowing the stadium takes security seriously can have a positive impact on how people feel and therefore behave. The goal is to encourage a calm and managed atmosphere as people enter and exit the stadium and the surrounding area so they can go on to enjoy it fully when they are inside.
Proper use of perimeter and entrance security also makes the life of security personnel and other employees much easier. Having the right tools for the job and the latest technology allows people to do what people do best – react to situations as and when needed, such as crowd trouble or unauthorised access.
Changing our perception of ‘integrated security’
Integrated security is used as a buzzword, which distracts from the fact that it’s a useful way to view your security – it’s only through a holistic approach to security that encompasses the physical, digital and human elements can we truly combat the threats of today and tomorrow.
New and innovative technology has made great strides in hindering the progress of potential attackers by obstructing direct and proximity access to the target. Hindering progress is a key early tactic in any integrated security system, but it can have the effect of moving the threat rather than nullifying it. As a result, the target and method of attack will vary – something organisers and security personnel will need to be mindful of and know first-hand how to deal with it.
Changing our perception and thinking about integrated security will lead to a greater understanding of the additional elements that go into ‘securing your venue’. It is not enough to think about the security of the venue, we need to start thinking about threats that could come from ‘behaviour’, by that we mean where people hang around before and after the event, as well as travelling to the venue.
Implementing innovative solutions for the smart stadium
New and innovative ‘smart’ technologies are taking on the analytical load so security personnel can make better informed decisions. Smart stadiums do not rely solely on physical deterrents, now we see stadiums take integrated security to the next level without impeding the experience for fans.
There’s a huge range of innovative solutions ready to be implemented in existing and new stadiums, but optimised facial recognition, behavioural analytics and access scanning equipment are perhaps the three game–changers here.
- Optimised facial recognition in conjunction with extremely high-resolution IP cameras can provide a smooth method of entry to the stadium by integrating with the access control system. This has the simultaneous effect of seamless entry to the venue, while images can also be matched against a watched list or blacklist of specific individuals preventing unwarranted access.
- Behavioural analytics software and artificial intelligence can identify patterns of behaviour associated with violence or other activities that could compromise the safety of a crowd. This can be used to alert authorities to a heated situation before it erupts.
- Walk-through monitors can now detect a multitude of substances that could pose a threat in an enclosed stadium environment. In fact, the “sniffing” technology on these monitors can be used to detect anything from excess alcohol through to nuclear material.
These considerations are a small price to pay on the part of fans and organisers in return for a more effective security solution that protects the stadium and its visitors.
If you’d like to know more about entrance security solutions for your venue, speak to the RWS team via rws@rwsltd.co.uk or 01733 351136.
