Counter Terror Business - Event Security

Scotland consults on pyrotechnics at football matches

Polly Jones — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 11:11:23 +0000

The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on whether the law on Football Banning Orders (FBOs) should be updated to crack down on pyrotechnics use and other forms of football-related disorder.

FBOs are court orders that prevent individuals from attending all regulated matches in the UK, and they can be imposed for engaging in violence or disorder.

The consultation will investigate whether extended FBOs could be an effective deterrent against disorder such as pyrotechnics misuse, online abuse and other emerging challenges associated with the game.

Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown said: “Football fans are passionate about the sport, supporting their club and of course our national team. The vast majority of supporters are well-behaved and want to enjoy football safely. However, the behaviour of a small minority can put others at risk and spoil their enjoyment of the game and have consequences for the football club. Whilst we have significantly strengthened the law to tackle pyrotechnic misuse in recent years, so that those who carry fireworks and flares into football stadia can face fines and up to six months in prison, pyrotechnic misuse at games remains an issue.

“The legislation governing Football Banning Orders in Scotland was introduced in 2006, when the use of flares at matches and harmful social media behaviour associated with the game were much less common. While FBOs can already be imposed on conviction for pyrotechnics offences that involve violence or disorder, we want to hear from people whether the law needs to change so these orders could be used more widely for pyrotechnics possession and misuse - ultimately to become a more effective deterrent and keep people safe."

Alan Marshall, Chair of the Football Safety Officers Association Scotland, said: “The Football Safety Officers Association Scotland welcomes the launch of this consultation.

“Safety officers across the country see first-hand the evolving challenges in ensuring a safe environment at football matches, including the increased misuse of pyrotechnics, which are illegal and becoming a bigger issue at football matches across Europe.

“Football Banning Orders are an important tool in helping prevent disorder, and to help stop the actions of a small number of supporters negatively impacting the experience of law-abiding football fans. It is appropriate that the legislation is reviewed to reflect modern realities.”

New research on crowd reactions to terror attacks

Meghan Shaw — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 12:17:02 +0000

New research from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) show that, contrary to popular belief, crowds actually behave in a cooperative and orderly manner during emergency situations, like a terrorist attack.

A study analysing data, CCTV footage, and conducting literature reviews over six years has found that rather than act selfishly or channel an ‘every person for themselves’ mentality, people are more likely to help each other. This comes in contrast to the common assumpiton that terror emergencies breed disorder, panic, and people not helping one another.

DSTL behavioural scientists have developed a new kind of behavioural matrix during the course of this research that represents and categorises behaviours according to their likelihood of being displayed during an emergency.

This research is cutting-edge in that it can be used to inform the development of computational models that represent emergency scenarios, as well as generating a buzz across government, industry, and academic fields.

This research will help ensure that models represent valid human behaviours and are informed by valid scientific evidence.

DSTL’s research is being used to inform government planning to help maximise public safety and security during these events.

In her recognition of her leadership during this work at the DSTL, the late Dr Sarah Knight was subsequently made Order of the British Empire (OBE) by His Majesty the King.

Security ramped up for France-Israel game following Amsterdam violence

Polly Jones — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 12:10:31 +0000

Thousands of police will be on the streets in Paris tonight ahead of a football match between France and Israel.

Security has been ramped up after violence in Amsterdam last week, when Maccabi Tel Aviv played Ajax.

4,000 officers will be on patrol in the French capital including 2,500 at the Stade de France and the rest elsewhere in the city and on public transport.

There will also be around 1,600 private security guards at the stadium and an elite anti-terrorist police unit protecting the Israeli squad.

The stadium will only be a quarter full and after advice from the Israeli government, only around 100 Israeli fans are expected to travel. Bars and restaurants in the area have been told to close in the afternoon.

The State de France made headlines in 2022 after disturbing scenes in which Liverpool fans were tear gassed ahead of the Champions League final against Real Madrid.

Last week, Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in Amsterdam set fire to a Palestinian flag, attacked a taxi and chanted anti-arab slogans. Youths on scooters injured Maccabi fans in "hit-and-run" attacks.

Security levels for Paralympics slightly decrease

Robyn Quick — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 10:57:18 +0000

French police are preparing for large crowds at the 17th Paralympic Games, which begin today (28 August).

Paris Police prefect Laurent Nunez said a press conference when asked about security for the Paralympics: "We're 4-0 up at half-time but there's still a second half to play, so we're going to stay focused until the final whistle."

He added: "It is in every respect the same set-up as for the Olympic Games, with a little less manpower involved."

The Paralympics will take place over 12 days, compared to 17 for the Olympics.

Crisis24 reported that while security will be scaled back compared to the Olympics, a comprehensive operation is planned for the Paralympic Games, especially for the Opening Ceremony which will take place outside a sporting arena — a decision that necessitates complex security arrangements.

Crisis24 said the risk of terrorism remains a "siginificant concern' for French authorities.

During the Opening Ceremony, the presence of counterterrorism units, including the police tactical unit of the National Gendarmerie (GIGN), BRI, and RAID, is expected at key venues.

An average of 25,000 police will be on duty daily, compared with 45,000 for the Olympic opening ceremony.

French newspaper Le Monde reported that normally during the summer months, only 60 per cent of police personnel are available, the rest being on holiday.

The Games will see 4,400 athletes take part from 128 different nations, each of them with a physical or cognitive disability.

UEFA hands out fines for Euros offences

Polly Jones — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 10:01:41 +0000

So far in the EURO 2024 competition, UEFA has handed out a total of 1,270,000 euros worth of fines for offences during the group stages.

Fines have been handed out for offences such as throwing of objects, lighting of fireworks, invasion of a field, improper conduct of the team, crowd disturbances and transmitting a message unfair for a sports event.

Croatia has been fined 220,875 euros for offences including the throwing of fireworks. Albania were fined 171,375 euros, and Serbia 166,625 euros.

England, on the other hand, have received a fine of 12,500 euros for disturbances during the national anthems (one of two teams fined for this offence) and throwing of objects.

Scotland have also been fined for throwing of objects.

Countries including Hungary, Croatia, Poland, Netherlands and Albania have been fined for lighting of fireworks.

Albania and Ukraine were also fined for invasion of the field of play.

France, Spain and Slovakia are the only teams not subject to any fines during the group stages.

Hosts Germany have been handed a 15,000 euros for failing to protect a playing area. This includes the Turkey v Georgia game where violence erupted in the stands. It also includes people going on the pitch to take photos with Christiano Ronaldo.

French and Spanish police hold anti-terror drills prior to Olympics

Robyn Quick — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 09:44:17 +0000

Police in France and Spain held anti-terror drills last week (12 June) ahead of the Paris Olympics.

The exercise began in Bayonne, France, where the practice scenario involved assailants staging an attack.

The scenario, dubbed Operation Optimus, then continued to San Sebastián is Spain where they took hostages.

It was conducted withy the aim of enhancing response capabilities.

It was overseen in Spain by the General Information Commissioner's Office and involved various units including Special Security Operations Groups (GOES), bomb disposal (TEDAX-NRBQ), and canine and forensic teams.

Coordination points were established in Paris, Bayonne, Madrid, and San Sebastián to ensure effective communication and operations between both national forces.

The French government has about 20,000 soldiers and more than 40,000 police officers to provide security for the games. It will also have support from about 2,000 troops and police officers from other countries.

The Summer Olympics will run from 26 July to 11 August, followed by the Paralympics.

German police warn of hooligans at England's first game

Polly Jones — Wed, 12 Jun 2024 10:39:14 +0000

German police have warned that up to 500 Serbian hooligans may target their side's fixture against England on Sunday.

According to the Guardian, Peter Both the chief of police in Gelsenkirchen, where the game is due to take place said the challenge would be to intercept the group before they were able to meet England supporters.

The game has been designed a 'high-risk' tie and is expected to draw 40,000 England fans and 5,000-8,000 Serbian fans.

Speaking to the Guardian, Peter Both also mentioned the threat of terrorism. He said: " “Of course, there is a terror threat throughout Europe and also throughout Germany and for the upcoming tournament, but we don’t have concrete intelligence, concrete information, so it’s a potential terror threat.

“The terrorists want to generate fear. We say to all our guests, don’t let that happen. Enjoy your stay in Germany, and the German authorities are well prepared.”

Record number of football banning orders ahead of Euros

Polly Jones — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 08:38:44 +0000

The Metropolitan Police has released statistics on football banning orders.

The announcement comes as the Euros kick off at the end of the week.

Last season, the Met secured 160 football banning orders - the largest ever amount for a single season.

Most of the people affected by the orders will have to surrender their passports to police ahead of the Euros and will therefore not be able to travel to Germany.

Some of the sanctions that could be included in a banning order include exclusion from the vicinity of a stadium or town for domestic matches and surrendering passports for European competitions or international fixtures.

In April, the Met applied for 79 football banning orders. The orders are used to ensure matches in the capital are safe for other supporters and to minimise disruption in local communities.

The force secured 52 bans for public order offences which includes eight for tragedy chanting and further eight for racially aggravated public order offences.

51 three-year banning orders were applied last year for fans found with class A drugs, 28 bans for assault, and 48 bans for football-related offences including throwing missiles onto a pitch, going onto a pitch and flares.

Chief Inspector Pete Dearden, who leads football policing for the Met, said: “This has been a brilliant effort from the football policing unit to secure the banning orders and prevent serious disorder taking place in our communities on matchday.

“The majority of our officers working on football are fans themselves, we understand the passion but want to make sure matches taking place in the capital are safe spaces for everyone attending.

“We know the Euros is going to be a hugely popular tournament for fans travelling from London to watch England hopefully bring football home. Our dedicated football officers have worked tirelessly with clubs across the capital to secure the bans for fans who cause disorder at domestic matches, to stop them doing the same abroad.”

Major incident exercise held at Molineux stadium

Polly Jones — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 09:01:38 +0000

Emergency services from across the West Midlands have taken part in a major incident exercise at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton.

The exercise involved participants from Wolverhampton Wanderers, West Midlands Police and other stakeholders.

The event was intended to ensure the best level of protection is provided by the club on a matchday at Molineux.

The exercise included a hyper-realistic terrorist attack, which involved a simulated explosive device detonating inside the Stan Cullis Stand, with casualties and fatalities.

200 actors, including staff from Wolves, were involved.

CCTV operators from Wolves worked alongside West Midlands Police to identify the 'terrorist' and pinpoint the source of the explosion.

Steve Sutton, Wolves’s facilities, safety and security director, said: “This exercise was an essential ‘live play’ scenario, designed to rigorously test our matchday procedures and contingency plan in response to a major incident.

“Not only did it test our own Matchday Safety Team, it was also an invaluable test for the matchday staff from West Midlands Police, West Midlands Ambulance Service and St John Ambulance as well as the wider emergency service’s response to a significant incident at Molineux.

“This is the first exercise of this scale for many years, and many thanks go to the organising team, all emergency services, volunteers, and the participants involved for their contribution, as well as the local community for their co-operation.”

Security tightened at T20 after possible terror threat

Robyn Quick — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 10:32:07 +0000

Security has been tightened before the first T20 World Cup match at a temporary stadium in New York, including positioning police snipers at covert locations around the ground.

The 34,000 capacity venue in Eisenhower Park will host its first match of the tournament on Monday when South Africa face Sri Lanka at 3:30 BST.

A pro-ISIS group has reportedly threatened to target, external the tournament.

The Mirror US reported that a pro-ISIS outlet released a graphic of a hooded man carrying a gun.

The publication also said that security measures will include SWAT teams with specialist snipers. Plain clothes police officers will also be operating inside the ground.

Nassau's police force has worked in conjunction with the New York Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, the US Department Of �鶹��land Security and other agencies in the build-up to the tournament.

"The safety and security of everyone at the event is our number one priority and we have a comprehensive and robust security plan in place," the International Cricket Council (ICC) said in a statement to BBC Sport.

"We work closely with authorities in our host countries and continually monitor and evaluate the global landscape to ensure appropriate plans are in place to mitigate any risks identified to our event."

The park land surrounding the ground will be closed off to the public on the eight match days to counter the potential threat of a drone attack.

Fans attending matches will be subject to searches and will have to go through airport style security scanners before gaining entry.