Featured Image: Samuel Regan-Asante on Unsplash
Counter Terrorism Policing in the UK is working with the live music industry this summer and beyond to keep fans safe, and are also asking for attendees to play their part.
UK Music, which acts as a collective voice for the music industry, promoters Festival Republic and venue The O2 are among those supporting Counter Terrorism Policing’s #BeSafeBeSound campaign, which highlights the importance of reporting suspicious activity.
“The terrorist threat remains a reality. Since 2017 we have disrupted almost 40 late-stage terror attacks alongside our colleagues at MI5,” said Counter Terrorism Policing’s senior national coordinator for protect and prepare, Laurence Taylor.
“Whilst there is no specific intelligence to indicate an increased threat to live music events, the UK’s terrorism threat level remains at substantial. Our casework indicates that large events remain potentially attractive targets to terrorists and it’s absolutely vital that the public are vigilant this summer.
“We have a brilliant range of partners and organisations on board this year who are helping us make sure live music fans know what to do if they see something that doesn’t feel right. Our advice is to always tell security or speak to the police.”
He added: “Whilst we are working around the clock to detect new threats and disrupt terrorist activity, the intelligence and information we receive from the public should not be underestimated. Around a fifth of the online reports and calls we receive every year are particularly useful to us – turning into arrests, building intelligence pictures or kick-starting new investigations.”
The campaign was created in 2021 and urges must fans to stay alert and to follow safety advice when attending live music events and venues. According to Counter Terrorism Policing, the campaign has reached over 10 million people across the UK via social media and other platforms.
Festivals and venues such as The O2, Reading & Leeds festival, Creamfields, Newcastle’s Utilita Arena, TRNSMT, Wireless, Isle of Wight, First Direct Arena in Leeds, Parklife, Glasgow’s OVO Arena, Wembley Arena and O2 Academy venues have backed the campaign.
“We all want live music events to be as safe as possible, so UK Music is delighted to support the #BeSafeBeSound campaign,” said UK Music chief executive Jamie Njoku-Goodwin. “Each of us all has a role to play in keeping each other safe at concerts and festivals – whether that is fans staying vigilant and reporting suspicious activity, or event organisers sharing these important security messages with their audiences.
“Whilst the police and other agencies are working hard to protect us, we all have a responsibility to do what we can to help keep each other safe at live events.”
Share this