Secure Perimeter Fencing Options for Outdoor Music Festival Sites.

Music festival organisers are facing increased threats to their events, and they are particularly vulnerable when located in a large outdoor space. The defined perimeter of a festival site can typically measure 5km and making the entire length secure from external threats is challenging. What are organisers doing to improve their site perimeter security.

The use of suitable perimeter security for a festival site is currently undergoing significant changes as organisers adapt to new threats alongside public safety concerns and developing technology. These changes are impacting the cost of providing secure perimeters and are becoming a major concern for organisers planning festival sites for future events.

Why Security Matters.
A ley concern for organisers is the unauthorised entry to a music festival site by non-ticket holders which results in lost income. In addition, if the event is already at capacity, unauthorised entry can raise the crowd's numbers to an unsafe level, leading to safety concerns. Other unauthorised entries are often attempted by criminal gangs who wish to target festival-goers for theft or to distribute illegal narcotics. The threat from terrorist incidents in Europe and North America remains high with vehicles being used as a prime weapon. The priority for all festival organisers is the safety of everyone on a site, and the perimeter security is often their first line of defence against external threats.

Perimeter Fencing Solutions.
Contractors can offer a wide variety of fencing solutions for festival sites, each with a variety of security options and design features which may depend on the ground conditions. Most fencing will be supplied 2m or 2.4m in height, but increasingly heights over 3m are being used; all are designed with anti-climb characteristics. The fence will usually be constructed with small aperture welded mesh as well as being tamper resistant. Installation normally requires relatively deep ground posts to protect the fence from high winds, especially important if the fence is going to be dressed in privacy screens.

The Multi Layered Security Approach.
Historically festival sites installed rudimentary perimeter fencing combined with regular security patrols. This approach is no longer effective, and organisers are moving towards a multi-layered security approach which combines numerous aspects to secure site perimeters. Aside from the physical fencing, organisers should incorporate regular security patrols combined with comprehensive CCTV coverage, motion sensing lights, intrusion detection and drone patrols. This approach gives complete coverage of the entire perimeter fence 24 hours a day, enabling security personnel to be rapidly deployed to any attempted breach point.

Safety and Public Liability.
Whilst perimeter fencing provides security for a festival site, its installation should still be subject to inspection and risk assessments. Organisers also need to be aware of their public liability if anyone gets injured, which can include fence collapses or sharp, protruding components, for example. Even if an unauthorised individual attempts to climb a fence, falls and becomes injured, the organisers may still have liability despite the trespass. Every company is required to have some public liability insurance, and this applies to both festival entities and any contractors responsible for fencing installation. It is recommended that the minimum coverage should have a limit of indemnity of around $14 million. During the installation process, organisers must ensure that sufficient warning signs are posted on or near fencing that highlights the dangers of attempting to climb over them, plus the multi-layered security measures in place to act as a deterrent.

New Developments.
There are some key new developments taking place currently that will improve the effectiveness of festival site perimeter security in the future. The introduction of electronic perimeter detection is becoming increasingly prevalent with technologies like fibre optic sensing, vibration sensors, microwave or radar detection and thermal camaras which can all be combined with automated alerts sent to festival security teams. AI assisted CCTV is being used more frequently where the installation design and use is fully integrated with physical fencing solutions. The planning of festival site perimeter security should be designed around the surveillance systems rather than installed after the fencing has been erected. The threat from attacks using vehicles is now a key concern, and organisers are looking at measures they can take to protect vulnerable locations, specifically gates and official vehicle access points. The installation of reinforced gates with hostile vehicle mitigation devices and heavy barriers can increase security for these access points.

For festival organisers planning their next event using a software management platform like Festival Pro gives them all the functionality they need manage every aspect of their event logistics. The guys who are responsible for this software have been in the front line of event management for many years and the features are built from that experience and are performance artists themselves. The Festival Pro platform is easy to use and has comprehensive features with specific modules for managing artists, contractors, venues/stages, vendors, volunteers, sponsors, guestlists, ticketing, site planning, cashless payments and contactless ordering.

Image by Jan van der Wolf via Pexels

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