As the UK festival season gets underway, New Generation Training and Consultancy (NGTC) is reminding attendees and event staff alike of the importance of practical safety, awareness, and preparation. With thousands set to attend music festivals, agricultural shows, and outdoor events across the country this summer, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all is more important than ever.
Whether you’re a festival-goer, a steward, or part of the operational team, personal safety and crowd awareness should always be a priority. Drawing on the latest sector guidance and best practices, we’ve outlined essential considerations to support safe event delivery and participation this summer.
Planning and Preparation
Every successful event begins with preparation. Understanding the venue layout, knowing your meeting points, and having emergency contacts saved can make all the difference. If you’re working at an event, ensure you attend all briefings and are clear on your roles, responsibilities, and escalation procedures.
Hydration and Weather Awareness
With forecasts suggesting warmer-than-average temperatures this summer, staying hydrated and taking precautions against heat-related illness is vital.
- Bring a refillable water bottle and make regular use of hydration points.
- Wear appropriate clothing and consider sun protection, especially during long shifts outdoors.
- Report any signs of heat exhaustion in yourself or others immediately.
Crowd Safety
Whether you’re in a static role or roaming, crowd management is key. Festivals often involve shifting audience dynamics, so maintaining visibility, communication, and calm under pressure is crucial.
- Be mindful of your positioning in dense areas.
- Understand egress routes and maintain clear paths to exits.
- Communicate proactively with team members and control room staff.
Substance Awareness and Welfare
Festival environments can present unique challenges related to alcohol and substance use. Attendees and staff are encouraged to look after one another and report any concerns early. Welfare hubs, medical teams, and safeguarding officers are there to support all individuals on-site—make use of these resources when needed.
Technology and Tools
Recent updates from event organisers have flagged the importance of managing wearable tech. Smartwatches and crash-detection features have triggered unintended emergency calls during high-energy environments like mosh pits. Be mindful of device settings and adjust them accordingly when on shift.
Vigilance and Public Safety
As part of the national effort to ensure public safety this summer, Counter Terrorism Policing has launched a campaign encouraging everyone attending large-scale events to remain vigilant. While there is no specific intelligence pointing to an increased threat, public awareness remains a key line of defence.
We echo the campaign’s core messages:
- Trust your instincts – if something doesn’t feel right, report it.
- Be alert, not alarmed – stay aware of your surroundings and who’s around you.
- Know how to report concerns – alert on-site security or call 999 in an emergency.
For security staff and learners on placement, it’s a reminder that counter-terrorism awareness is a critical component of the modern event safety landscape. NGTC integrates situational awareness, emergency response, and communication protocols into its training programmes to ensure our learners are prepared not only for routine safety, but also for exceptional circumstances.
Together with local authorities and security partners, we’re committed to supporting a secure summer season for everyone attending and working at events across the UK.
#BeSafeBeSound: Supporting the Live Music Sector
As part of the national #BeSafeBeSound campaign, launched by Counter Terrorism Policing in collaboration with the UK’s live music industry, NGTC is reinforcing the message that security is everyone’s responsibility.
The campaign encourages venues, staff, and attendees to:
- Stay alert to suspicious behaviour or unattended items
- Report concerns immediately to stewards or police
- Be prepared by familiarising yourself with venue layouts and emergency procedures
These messages are aligned with our own training principles and reflect the importance of proactive safety culture across all levels of event delivery. NGTC is proud to support initiatives that strengthen public safety while preserving the vibrancy of the UK’s live music and events sector.
To find out more about the campaign, visit: www.protectuk.police.uk/besafebesound
Looking Ahead
As we move through the season, we’ll be supporting learners at a range of live events, ensuring they’re equipped to operate safely, professionally, and in line with sector standards. Many of our Skills Bootcamp learners are already applying their training on the ground, gaining invaluable experience in greenfield environments, festivals, and stadiums across the UK.
If you’re interested in upskilling your workforce or launching your career in security and events, NGTC offers a range of funded opportunities:
🔗 Employers – Skills Bootcamp Programme
🔗 Learners – Start Your Journey
🔗 Upcoming Courses
Working Together for a Safer Festival Season
NGTC is proud to play a role in building a workforce that is not only trained, but confident and capable of managing real-world challenges across the security and events sector. By putting safety at the heart of everything we do, we aim to enhance not just the event experience—but the careers of those delivering it.
Let’s work together to make this summer a safe, successful season for all.
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