Festival season books up fast. Security companies with properly trained guards get reserved months ahead. If you haven’t sorted this yet, you’re running out of time. Here’s what you absolutely must do.

  • Contact security companies today, not next month. Seriously. Every week you wait reduces your options. Good companies are booking summer festivals right now. Guard Mark Security still has availability but it won’t last.
  • Calculate realistic crowd numbers and add 20 percent. Festivals always attract more people than predicted. Plan security for your highest estimate plus extra. Better to have coverage than be overwhelmed.
  • Book a site visit with your security provider immediately. They need to see the layout, access points, and potential problem areas. No professional company can quote accurately without visiting your venue.
  • Confirm all guards will be SIA licenced and vetted. You need proof, not promises. Insist on seeing licence numbers before your event. Guard Mark Security provides this documentation automatically.
  • Plan entrance security that can process people quickly. Long queues make guests angry before they even enter. You need enough guards at entry points to check tickets and search bags without creating bottlenecks.
  • Designate specific areas that need constant guard presence. Main stages, bars, VIP sections, backstage areas, and ATM machines. Write down where guards will be positioned and share this with your security company.
  • Arrange CCTV coverage for blind spots guards can’t physically see. Mobile CCTV towers cover large outdoor areas effectively. Guard Mark Security can deploy solar-powered towers that work all weekend without generators.
  • Coordinate with local police about your event details. Tell them your dates, expected attendance, and security arrangements. Get emergency contact numbers for event day. They need advance notice to plan their response capabilities.
  • Brief all venue staff on emergency procedures before the festival starts. Bar staff, vendors, volunteers, everyone working your event should know what to do in emergencies. One briefing session saves lives.
  • Set up a medical area with clear access for ambulances. Position this near an entrance so emergency vehicles can reach it easily. Station guards nearby to keep the area clear and assist medical teams.
  • Create a lost children procedure and communicate it clearly. Announce where parents should go if they lose a child. Have a designated meeting point staffed throughout the festival. Train guards on the protocol.
  • Plan for weather emergencies even if forecasts look good. British weather changes without warning. What’s your lightning protocol? How do you evacuate if storms hit? Write it down and make sure all guards know the plan.
  • Install adequate toilet facilities and keep them monitored. Dirty toilets lead to guests using inappropriate areas. Regular cleaning and guard presence near bathroom areas prevents problems.
  • Control alcohol sales to prevent guests getting dangerously drunk. Limit purchases, train bar staff to refuse service when needed, and station guards near bars to watch for issues.
  • Have a clear protocol for removing disruptive guests. Guards need to know the process. One warning? Immediate removal? How do they escort people off site? Decide this in advance.

Time’s running out. Festival season fills security company schedules fast. Contact Guard Mark Security now on 03301755786 or email [email protected]. We’ve got experienced SIA licenced guards and we know Yorkshire festivals. But we won’t have availability forever. Book now before it’s too late.