Over half of British residents want to see tougher public security put in place ahead of major outdoor summer events, such as the Royal Wedding, according to new research.
The survey of 1,000 people, conducted by ATG Access, found that 57% of Brits are calling for more security guards to safeguard public spaces, and 36% would like to see more armed officers patrolling busy areas following the surge of terror attacks last year.
Over one million people gathered on London’s streets for the previous Royal Wedding in 2011, so – perhaps unsurprisingly – fears remain over safety as crowds plan to throng to busy streets at the upcoming celebrations.
A further 44% of people said that they would like to see visible security – like bollards and barriers that can separate crowds from nearby traffic – in place around event sites to make them feel safer. One in five (39%) would feel more at ease if emergency services, like paramedics, were on site and in clear view.
Interestingly, nine out of 10 people would be more likely to visit an event or attraction if the area had a public security rating that they could view online, which was regularly updated with inspections and reviews.
However, despite these anxieties, 50% of those questioned said they won’t let recent terror attacks stop them from enjoying organised summer events.
Gavin Hepburn, director at ATG Access, said: “Summer is almost upon us, and the social calendar is already filling up with events such as the Royal Wedding, plus various festivals and celebrations to be held across the country. Popular events such as these are growing in size as more people flock to local areas to enjoy seasonal festivals and public gatherings.
“But, with bigger crowds of attendees, and more footfall in cities and town centres, comes greater security concerns. The public is becoming much more aware of the potential threats they may be subject to, particularly when attending high profile events or tourist attractions.
This heightened awareness, coupled with the increased risk of sporadic attacks occurring, means that serious consideration must now be given to protecting crowded places, as well as securing assets and critical national infrastructure.”
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