United Kingdom Crowd Management Association
This page brings together key legislation, industry standards, and operational resources to support planning, delivery, and continuous improvement. If you know of resources that should be added to this list, please share them using the form below.
The UKCMA’s mission is to advance professional, inclusive, and evidence-led crowd management across the UK by raising standards, supporting practitioners, and strengthening collaboration across the sector.
More Information:
UKCMA Mission Infographic
UKCMA Strategic Pillars
The UKCMA Buyers Guide is a practical resource designed to help organisations commission crowd management, security and stewarding services more effectively. It guides buyers through defining requirements, evaluating providers, balancing cost and value, measuring performance and managing renewal, with supporting checklists and sample tender questions.
More Information:
UKCMA Buyers Guide
The UKCMA has developed this Staff Briefing Resource to support our members in delivering consistent, high-quality briefings that contribute to safer, more inclusive event environments. This resource provides a structured framework that brings together operational clarity, effective communication and a focus on staff and audience wellbeing.
More Information:
UKCMA Staff Briefing Resource 2026
Briefing Resource Guide Template - Event Information
Briefing Resource Template - Operations Brief
Briefing Resource Template - Staffing Brief
Briefing Resource Template - Position Brief
Briefing Resource Template - Policy Brief (Single)
Briefing Resource Template - Policy Brief (Double)
Briefing Resource Template - Policy Brief (Triple)
ACT Awareness provides free training to help staff recognise and respond to suspicious behaviour and potential terrorist threats. It is widely used as a baseline standard across the UK events sector.
More Information:
ACT Awareness e-Learning | ProtectUK
The NCSC provides guidance on managing cyber risk for major events, including ticketing systems, access control, communications infrastructure, and incident response planning. Its advice is increasingly relevant as digital systems become central to event safety, security, and business continuity.
More Information:
National Cyber Security Centre
Cyber Security for Major Events - NCSC
NPSA offers specialist advice on protecting people, infrastructure, and operations from national security threats. Its guidance supports proportionate and risk-based security planning.
More Information:
National Protective Security Authority | NPSA
ProtectUK is the UK government’s central platform for counter-terrorism and protective security guidance. It provides practical tools, risk frameworks, and updates aligned with national threat levels.
More Information:
Protect UK
The SIA regulates the private security industry, including licensing requirements for event security personnel. It also plays a growing role in supporting compliance with Martyn’s Law.
More Information:
Security Industry Authority - GOV.UK
Be Crowdwise is a GCMA audience-focused campaign that encourages attendees to take an active role in creating safer event environments. The campaign provides simple, accessible messaging that can be used across a wide range of event types and crowd settings.
More Information:
Be Crowdwise
Be Weatherwise is a GCMA campaign, presented in partnership with DTN, focused on improving awareness of weather-related risks at mass gatherings. It promotes proactive planning for severe weather, including heat, lightning, storms, and other conditions that may affect crowd safety.
More Information:
Be Weatherwise
BSI publishes a range of standards relevant to events, security, stewarding, and sustainability, including BS 8406 for event stewarding and ISO 20121 for sustainable event management. These standards support professionalisation, consistency, and recognised good practice across the sector.
More Information:
British Standards Institution
BS 8406:2020 Event Stewarding - Code of Practice
ISO 20121 Sustainable Event Management
The Crowd Science Research Group at Manchester Metropolitan University conducts research into crowd dynamics, behaviour, and safety modelling. Its work supports evidence-led approaches to crowd management and helps strengthen decision-making across the events sector.
More Information:
Crowd Science Research Group - Manchester Metropolitan University
The authoritative guidance for spectator safety in sports venues, covering capacity, ingress and egress, and safety certification. Its principles are frequently applied across a wide range of event environments.
More Information:
Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds (Green Guide) - SGSA
HSE provides core guidance on legal duties, risk assessment, and safe event delivery under UK health and safety law. Its resources support organisers in managing a wide range of operational risks.
More Information:
Event Safety - HSE
This initiative promotes collaboration and continuous improvement in crowd safety across venues and events. It provides insights and resources to support safer environments.
More Information:
Safer Crowds Safer Venues
The UK events industry’s primary reference document, providing comprehensive guidance on crowd management, site design, safety planning, and welfare. It is widely recognised as the benchmark for safe event delivery.
More Information:
The Purple Guide
The Service Playbook is a GCMA resource focused on the attendee-facing service function within event operations. It provides practical, service-led frameworks to support consistency, communication, and improved crowd experience.
More Information:
The Service Playbook
GCMA’s Words Matter initiative focuses on the critical role that language plays in shaping how crowds are understood, managed, and treated. It promotes the use of accurate, respectful, and evidence-based terminology to support better decision-making, improve safety outcomes, and reinforce a more professional and people-centred approach to crowd management.
More Information:
Words Matter - The Language of Crowds
This includes foundational laws such as the Health and Safety at Work Act, Licensing Act, and Fire Safety Order, which underpin all UK event planning. Together, they define legal responsibilities for safety, risk management, and public protection.
More Information:
Legislation.gov.uk
Martyn’s Law introduces a tiered legal duty for venues and events to assess and mitigate terrorist risk through proportionate measures. It formalises expectations around preparedness, staff training, and protective security.
More Information:
Martyn's Law | ProtectUK
Additional Resource Links
New tax rules effective from 6 April 2026 introduce joint and several liability across labour supply chains, allowing HMRC to pursue recruitment agencies and, in some cases, end clients for unpaid PAYE tax and National Insurance where umbrella companies fail to comply. These reforms are intended to address non-compliance in the umbrella market and place greater responsibility on organisations to ensure that all parties within their labour supply chain operate transparently and in accordance with UK tax law.
More Information:
The Event Industry Forum brings together organisations from across the UK events sector to support best practice, policy engagement, and sector-wide guidance. EIF plays a central role in maintaining The Purple Guide and contributing to consultation and policy discussions affecting the industry.
More Information:
Event Industry Forum
JESIP defines how UK emergency services collaborate during incidents, focusing on communication and coordination. It is a key reference for event emergency planning and major incident response.
More Information:
JESIP Website
LRFs coordinate regional emergency planning and response across the UK. They are particularly relevant for large-scale or high-risk events requiring multi-agency coordination.
More Information:
Local resilience forums: contact details - GOV.UK
The National Fire Chiefs Council provides event safety guidance to support consistent fire safety planning, information sharing, evacuation planning, and coordination with fire and rescue services. Its resources complement Safety Advisory Group, JESIP, and wider emergency planning processes.
More Information:
NFCC Event Safety Guidance
UK Fire and Rescue Service Guidance
The National Police Chiefs’ Council provides national coordination and leadership for policing across the UK, including areas relevant to public order, protest, and event-related policing. Its work supports effective liaison between organisers, police services, and other agencies involved in public safety planning.
More Information:
National Police Chiefs’ Council
Public Order Guidance - College of Policing
ResilienceDirect is a secure Cabinet Office platform used by emergency planners and responders to share information and coordinate during incidents. It supports multi-agency collaboration, situational awareness, and planning for emergency response.
More Information:
ResilienceDirect - GOV.UK
SAGs are multi-agency forums that review event plans and provide safety guidance. They support coordination between organisers, local authorities, and emergency services.
More Information:
The role of a local authority Safety Advisory Group (SAG) - HSE
Julie’s Bicycle supports the cultural and creative sectors with tools, training, and frameworks for environmental sustainability and carbon reduction. Its resources are widely used by arts and event organisations seeking to measure, report, and improve environmental performance.
More Information:
Julie’s Bicycle
Vision for Sustainable Events is a UK events industry initiative supporting action on climate impacts, environmental responsibility, and more sustainable event delivery. Its resources help organisers reduce carbon, waste, energy use, and other environmental impacts.
More Information:
Vision for Sustainable Events
“Ask for Angela” is a safeguarding initiative that enables individuals who feel unsafe, vulnerable, or at risk to discreetly seek help from venue staff. It is widely used across the UK night-time and event economy to support personal safety and welfare.
More Information:
Ask for Angela (Source #1)
Ask for Angela (Source #2)
Beyond Breaking Barriers (B3) is the UKCMA’s DEI working group, dedicated to creating space for everyone, on and off the event site. We are passionate about making the crowd management and events industry safer, more inclusive, and reflective of the communities we serve. As the industry evolves, we work to ensure meaningful progress, champion best practice, and stay aligned with current legislation and standards.
B3 has created the following as resources for members to gain further support with diversity, equity and inclusion:
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme helps identify and support individuals with non-visible disabilities. It is widely used to improve accessibility and inclusivity at UK events.
More Information:
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower
Mind provides practical guidance to support mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, including managing stress, burnout, and support after difficult incidents. These resources are relevant for front-line event staff, supervisors, and organisations seeking to strengthen staff welfare.
More Information:
Mind Workplace Wellbeing
Mental Health at Work - Mind
The Pink Bows Foundation is a global initiative dedicated to improving crowd safety, education, and wellbeing in live events, established in response to the 2021 Astroworld Festival crowd crush. It supports safer events through training, advocacy, and the creation of “Safe Spaces” that provide emotional and psychological support for attendees, alongside advancing industry-wide safety standards.
More Information:
Pink Bows Foundation
Stamp Out Spiking is a UK-based charity dedicated to preventing drink and substance spiking through awareness, training, and advocacy, working closely with venues, event organisers, and authorities to improve safeguarding practices. It provides practical guidance on prevention and response, supports victims, and promotes frontline training to help staff recognise and act on spiking incidents, aligning with government guidance that emphasises early reporting, medical support, and coordinated venue response.
More Information:
Stamp Out Spiking
Spiking: Advice and Support
Understanding and tackling spiking - GOV.UK
UKHSA provides public health guidance relevant to mass gatherings, including hot weather planning, infection prevention, and health protection considerations. These resources help organisers integrate public health into wider event safety, welfare, and medical planning.
More Information:
UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK
Hot Weather Advice: Mass Gatherings and Planning Events
Heat Summary: Advice for Staying Safe at Mass Gatherings
If you know of additional resources that should be added to this list, please submit them using the following form.
[gravityform id="11" title="false"]
