Public Appearances &

Events
 PUBLIC APPEARANCES & EVENTS

Public Appearances
Types of public appearances where a principal is in the
presence of members of the public
• Publicity events
• Entertainment events
• Annual General Meetings (AGM’s)
• Controversial / high profile visits
• Demonstrations at a location by the public
• Inquiries / court appearances

These may not always be of a positive nature

 PUBLIC APPEARANCES & EVENTS

Public Appearances
Difficulties

• How far in advance has the event been publicised

giving those of ill intent time to plan
• Does the principal need to be immediately in the
presence of the public
• How much access does the public have to the principal
• Multi organisation co-ordination & co-operation
 PUBLIC APPEARANCES & EVENTS

Public Appearances
Preparation

• Obtain a forecast / program of events / appointments

as early as
• Confirm possible
timings & locations
• Establish points of contact
• Liaise with organisers & authorities
• Conduct reconnaissance's
• Conduct the appropriate threat & risk assessment
 PUBLIC APPEARANCES & EVENTS

Public Appearances
External security considerations
• Crowd control
• Type of the crowd
• Are any searches being conducted
• Vehicle access (inc. drop off & pick up)
• Public access control
• Guest access control
• Emergency procedures:
• Public order
• Terrorist action
 PUBLIC APPEARANCES & EVENTS

Public Appearances
Internal security considerations
• Staff vetting & identification
• Safe havens / private areas
• Cordons / access control to out of bounds areas
• Emergency procedures:
• Fire
• Medical
• Public order
• Terrorist action
• Emergency assembly area / evacuation points
 PUBLIC APPEARANCES & EVENTS

Line Drills
The outer cordon at most events will usually made of a
stable barrier to keep back the general public

• Possibly manned by a security team and / or Police

• Level of manning on such lines may be significantly
less than provides reasonable security
• Quality of security staff common at such events cannot
be relied upon
• Security on a line should be looking outward, assessing
the crowd
 PUBLIC APPEARANCES & EVENTS

Line Drills
Solo operator, BG

• BG stays close in to the principal

• Vets the crowd nearest the
principal
• Higher level of protection

DIRECTION
OF TRAVEL
VIP CPO CROWD
 PUBLIC APPEARANCES & EVENTS

Line Drills
Solo operator, PS

• BG stays nearby the principal

• Vets the crowd with, ahead and
behind the principal
• Lower level of protection

DIRECTION
OF TRAVEL
VIP CPO CROWD
 PUBLIC APPEARANCES & EVENTS

Line Drills
Two operators, BG & PES

• BG stays close with the principal

• Vets the crowd with the
principal
• PES vets crowd ahead of and
behind the BG & principal
• Higher level of security DIRECTION
OF TRAVEL
VIP CPO CROWD
 PUBLIC APPEARANCES & EVENTS

Line Drills
Three operators, BG & PES

• BG stays close with the principal

• PES vets crowd ahead of and
behind the BG & principal
• Third man can be within the
crowd
• Much higher level of security; separated team DIRECTION
OF TRAVEL
VIP CPO CROWD
 PUBLIC APPEARANCES & EVENTS

Spotting a Threat in the Crowd

Overt actions from members of the public should be easy
to spot such as attempting to penetrate the cordon
however spotting this before it happens is key.

Look for:
• Members of the crowed not getting involved
• People staring at security staff’s activities
• People who look out of place within the crowd
• Individuals who look uncomfortable
• Sweating in cool weather / overdressed for hot
 PUBLIC APPEARANCES & EVENTS

Crowd Dynamics
In many smaller events & appearances there may well be
no barrier between the public or other people who want
to get to the principal:

• Fans
• Protesters
• Photographers / paparazzi
• Journalists / reporters

The problem created is directly proportionate to the

numbers involved.
 PUBLIC APPEARANCES & EVENTS

Crowd Dynamics
Points to note about crowds:
• Those in the crowd become fixated upon their objective
• Individuals within the crowd compete for the objective
• With larger numbers crowd crushes can manifest:
• Caused by competing members of the crowd pushing
• Causes a domino effect of people pushing others and
leaning on one another
• Large crowds of one or two hundred people with a
common objective will be impossible to control
• Crowds attract crowds
 PUBLIC APPEARANCES & EVENTS

Crowd Dynamics

VIP CPO CROWD

 PUBLIC APPEARANCES & EVENTS

Crowd Dynamics

VIP CPO CROWD

 PUBLIC APPEARANCES & EVENTS

Crowd Dynamics

VIP CPO CROWD

 PUBLIC APPEARANCES & EVENTS

Crowd Dynamics

VIP CPO CROWD

 PUBLIC APPEARANCES & EVENTS

Summary

• Types of public appearance

• Difficulties of public appearances
• Preparation
• External security considerations

?
• Internal security considerations
• Line drills
• Crowd dynamics
Questions