SAFECROWDS will be exhibiting at the SGSA (Sports Grounds Safety Authority) Conference at the Emirates Stadium in Old Trafford on 14th May, an event that brings together senior decision makers, facilities professionals and safety and security officers from across the UK’s sports industry.
The conference is the sports ground safety sector’s leading event, with delegates attending from football, cricket, and rugby grounds, along with representatives from local authorities and the emergency services. SAFECROWDS will be the only security and counter terrorism specialist involved in the event, which will provide an excellent opportunity to showcase our integrated approach to providing risk assessment, consultancy, HVM, experienced personnel and training.
The event combines an exhibition with a conference programme and SAFECROWDS will be exhibiting alongside eight other companies, all of which have been handpicked for their expertise in sports environments, including products and services as diverse as IT systems, cyber security, video surveillance, and flame-resistant LED screens. We will be exhibiting with demo units of our HVM systems, and our new Head of Risk and Counter Terrorism, Jonathan Neal, will be there to talk to delegates about TVRA, VDA, Martyn’s Law and counter terrorism training.
The conference programme includes a mix of break-out sessions and panel discussions, which will enable delegates to ask questions of the panel of experts. There will be panel discussions covering safety, security, and service. The safety session will include a break-out discussion about best practice approaches to deploying stewarding teams, while the security session will include an hour-long session focusing on Zone Ex security. This session will be facilitated by the SGSA’s Head of Inspectorate, Ken Scott MBE, and explore the extent of Zone Ex, staffing and personnel, and the physical impacts of Zone Ex security on spectator behaviour. The experts will consider these topics in the context of Martyn’s Law, and the panel will include Chris Simpson, Detective Chief Inspector and Head of Engagement at the National Counter Terrorism Security Office.
Founder and CEO of SAFECROWDS, Rory McGoldrick commented: “We work collaboratively with a lot of sports venues, providing Threat, Vulnerability & Risk Assessments and Vehicle Dynamics Assessments, along with HVM, security personnel, Stewarding teams, K9 detection dogs, behavioural detection teams, traffic management, and accredited training.
“It was important to us to choose a conference and exhibition to work with that engages with decision makers at stadiums and sports grounds, along with the local authorities and police that help them ensure safety and security for supporters, staff and players.
The SGSA is the UK government’s advisor on safety in sports grounds, providing independent, expert advice for sports clubs, stadiums and those involved in making spectator sports safe and enjoyable for all, here in the UK and around the world. The conference and exhibition promises to be an informative and engaging event, providing an excellent opportunity for knowledge sharing and networking.”
