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Crowd Safety Information
The UK has an enviable record on crowd safety and the good news is that there are highly skilled professionals working on all sorts of safety aspects for the events we love, it's not an easy role and it's not popular so it's good to know that the vast majority of professionals working in this area are doing a really great job in making sure that our events are safe for all whilst making sure that they are still fun. In this section you'll find our festival survival guide which is packed full of useful information for those heading off to a festival, we also have a comprehensive guide to gigging abroad. There are articles about the things you need to be aware of in dense crowds, information about the issues around crowd surfing and moshing, information on buying tickets and how not to get caught out by some of those unscrupulous touts. We also have some useful contacts for stewarding and security companies among a host of other articles and issues that are relevant to festival and event safety. There are some important documents such as reports into the Donington and Roskilde accidents as well as some statistical information on accidents and incidents in crowds. We have a copy of 'The Purple Guide' which is essential reading for people putting on and organising events as well as some other reports that may be useful for professionals. If, like us, you are a fan of festivals and events you will no doubt find yourself in some dense crowds at times, this can present some challenges for attendees and professionals alike raising some issues we all need to think about. Crowd surges and crowd crushes can be really serious and even very minor surges can be really scary, everyone wants to be down the front for their favourite band and when you are in the crowd as it surges forward at the start of a packed out festival or gig you might just find it a tad scary, take heart, you are not alone, most of us at one point or another have found ourselves in the midst of a huge crowd and even the most hardened gig goer may just find it scary sometimes. There are a number of ways dense crowds can be managed and the best way you can keep yourself safe is to be aware of what's going on around you (read http://www.safeconcerts.com/crowdsafety/our-responsibility.asp) In order to manage crowds at the front of the stage several different types of barriers are used at events and these are specifically designed to help out in the areas where crowd density is most intense. The T bar barrier which is a normal front barrier, but with a channel through the middle of the crowd is becoming more widely used, this effectively separates the crowd and lessens numbers in a particular area easing the numbers should the crowd sway sideways. Secondary barriers are also being used more often so whilst you still have the front barrier which is the one we are all used to, there is also a secondary barrier a bit further back. The idea is not to spoil your fun but rather to divide the crowd, making it more manageable in order to increase safety as it decreases the number of people in a specific area and lessens the numbers involved at the front if a crowd surge should occur. Crowd surfing is often banned at events these days, so is this an attempt to spoil our fun or are there other issues? read http://www.safeconcerts.com/crowdsafety/crowd-surfing-moshing.asp and make up your own mind. The most likely place to have a real problem is at the front of the stage, this is why all security firms have highly trained pit teams in place at all events, Mick Upton wrote in his paper "Crowd Management and Risk Assessment on the dangers people may face in the pit" And please also remember that while our festivals and events in the UK are the safest we all need to work together to keep them that way.
  The DCMS Government Report
The report fell short of taking any action against touting and continues to rely on good will. Report  Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007
Some info about the new act due to come into effect in April 2008 Access here  The Event Safety Guide
The Purple Guide - this is the guide the professionals are using. Access here  UK statistics on accidents and incidents
There have been a few - have a look at some that have happened in the UK over the years Article  Crowd Safety
What can happen? where are the 'danger spots? what do you need to be aware of to keep yourself safe? Article   Ticketing Nightmares
Always a nightmare for most of us. Now it appears that legit companies are jumping on the bandwagon and auctioning tickets. Lots more info here  Door Supervisors or monkeys?
What can we say about the evolution (or not) of the bouncer? You decide  Crowd Surfing / Moshing
Why are they trying to ban it? should you do it? what risks are there for you and for others? Have a look at some facts Article  Reports and Papers
Some useful papers including a report into Donnington 1988 and Roskilde in 2000 and a booklist. More  What's our responsibility? When Safety Fails
What happens when things do go wrong - mercifully rare- but we should never forget Access here  Featured Safety Issue
Iggy does it again! Another stage invasion - more fans put at risk and public safety compromised again. Our Feature  Useful Contacts
Some contact details for some of the major security/stewarding companies Contact details  Are you feeling stressed out or depressed, suicidal?
If you feel it's all hopeless you really aren't alone, here are some resources that can help you. More   Keeping concerts and festivals safe
How can that happen? what do the powers that be need to be doing? Access here Industry Supporters
Which industry professionals support concert safety and Music Not Mayhem? Industry Responses  Our Festival Survival Guide
Tells you everything you need to know to keep youreslf safe and enjoy your festival experience. Access here  Are you going abroad for a gig or festival?
We have a few tips on surviving the experience and getting the most out of your trip. Access here
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Safeconcerts is the site with a firm focus on crowd safety - so this is the section of the site where you can find all sorts of information which we hope you will find useful. Just because there is a focus on safety please don't run away with the idea that big events are unsafe, the reality is that our festival and event organisers are highly skilled and experienced when it comes to putting on events, the level of training out there for event organisers, security, health and safety, production and all the other professional roles has never been higher, standards have risen considerably over the last few years - and they continue to rise.