Event Security: Do We Need It and Can You Provide It?

Not all student events require formal security, but it’s important to assess whether added safety measures are necessary to ensure a smooth and safe experience for everyone involved. Events vary in size, type, and risk level, so evaluating specific factors can help you decide if security is needed - sometimes it can also be a requirement of the venue hire. It's important to include security as part of your risk assessment if you think it is required. If you don't already know if you need security, here are some key considerations to guide your decision:

Event Size

Large gatherings often require security for crowd control and emergency response.

Event Type

Consider whether the event involves performances, sports, or sensitive topics that could attract unwanted attention or conflicts.

Alcohol or Late Hours

If alcohol will be served or the event extends late into the night, security can help prevent disruptions or manage intoxicated individuals.

High-Profile Guests

If your event features a guest speaker, celebrity, or VIP, additional security may be necessary to ensure their safety or manage crowds.

Public or Restricted Access

Is your event open to the public, or restricted to students only? Open-access events often require stricter security to manage unknown attendees.

By carefully considering these factors, you can make an informed decision about whether to include security for your event. If you're still unsure, you're more than welcome to ASK us and we can help guide you through the process.

We can advise on what level of security might be appropriate based on the event's size, type, and potential risks. In some cases when organising an event on campus, simply informing campus security in advance and having their contact details readily available may be sufficient. However, certain events may require higher levels of support/involvement in your event planning from the Students' Union or the university to ensure safety of organisers and participants. Durham SU has no budget to fund paid-for external security on behalf of a student or student group in the event that a risk assessment requires this as a control to support the safety of participants or the public. 

Freedom of Speech Events

Durham SU’s policy in response to an activity being risk assessed as requiring paid-for external security will be to implement controls which remove the need for the cost to be met by a visiting speaker, which will include, in order of consideration:

• A request is made for Durham University security services to cover the event at no cost to Durham SU or the individual or body speaking at an event.
• The event plan is adjusted such that a different place or time or other material factor reduces the risk and removes the need for paid-for external security.
• The event is moved to an online forum, such as Zoom, which can be made secure through oversight by a Durham SU staff member already within budget.
• The event is ticketed, at a price which covers the cost of any security only, such that the cost is covered through audience contribution and not by the individual or body speaking at the event. A condition of the event taking place may be that sufficient ticket income has been received by Durham SU in advance of the event and, if this is not the case, the event may be moved to an online forum.
• The student, student group, or visiting speaker, is invited to cover some or all of the cost of security.

The decision as to which control is most appropriate will be made by the Chief Executive, who will consult with the principal organiser but is not restricted by their preference.