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What is an Event?

The definition of an event is something that has taxed the Crowd Safety Group over the last couple of years as there is no laid down definition within any of the guidance.

Following long and complex discussion, during which many definitions were considered and discarded - including one by an event organiser who stated that 'an event is something which causes intense pain and suffering to those who organise them and is enjoyed by thousands who haven't got a bloody clue how hard they are to implement!' - the group finally came to an agreement that an event can best be described as:

"a publicised indoor or outdoor planned presentation consisting of public displays, exhibitions or entertainment, sporting or celebratory activities etc, involving spectators being invited or intending to gather either on public open space, public highways or in enclosed stadia, in numbers anticipated to require special arrangements for that venue being made by the Event Organiser, in collaboration with partner agencies, in order to ensure the safe conduct of that event."

Whilst somewhat long winded, it is probably the most accurate description of an event that we can come up with - or at least so far! If anyone can come up with anything better, please let us know!!

If you are interested in finding out more about the Crowd and Event Safety Group please contact Geoffrey Mackett; gmackett@somerset.gov.uk

Schedules of Meetings

The group has scheduled meetings 3 times a year at venues around the country.

Remember that if you fail submit an apology of absence for 3 meetings your details will be removed from the CES database.

Work Streams

The Crowd and Event Safety PWG are developing Work Streams to enable small groups of like minded people to focus on specific projects related to crowd and event safety.

Work Streams are designed to give project ownership to those involved and to encourage members to have a more active role within the Crowd and Event Safety PWG. Those involved with Work Steams will be expected to provide project updates at CES meetings and to debate future development to ensure the project remains within the focus of the group.

The current suggestions for Work Streams are: Crowd and Event Safety Database, Specialist Guides, Virtual Guide to Safety Guides, PPS25 (Flooding), CES Website, Membership.

The possibility additional groups and the suitability of the current groups will be discussed at the next meeting, which is currently scheduled for 22 of June 2009.

Work Streams in Detail

•         Crowd and Event Safety Database – Lead Member: Zac Au. The project will research and populate a database with information on crowd and event safety issues and what lessons were learnt from incidents. The database will be available via the group web pages.

•         Specialised Guides – To ensure that the group comments on the creation of new, or the revision of existing guides.

•         Virtual Guide to Safety Guides – To gather information on safety guides, which will be listed on the web pages.

•         PPS25 Flooding Evacuation – Lead Member: Craig Trevor. The group will comment on proposed guidance associated with the evacuation of people who are involved with floods.

•         CES Website – Lead Member: Vacant. To ensure that the group web pages are up to date and provide EPS members with suitable information/resources relating to Crowd and Event Safety.

•         Membership – Lead Member: Geoffrey Mackett. To ensure that the profiles of group members of listed and used to advise on key issues as required. To ensure the membership of the group is dynamic and meets the needs to the EPS.

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