The company was tasked with providing all artist and production area security for The Police dates at Twickenham, Birmingham National Indoor Arena, the MEN Arena, Manchester, Wembley Arena and the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. This included securing back stage areas, the stage itself, dressing rooms and all production assets. A key part of the role was to liaise with venues and local authorities, ensuring proper access and effective security procedures for the band. Showsec's operations director Mark Logan coordinated and designed the staffing and security management procedures of the tour, drawing from the 2,000 fully trained staff based in nine offices around the country.
Mark stated: "It is testimony to the efforts of our Training Department and trainers that we are able to draw on such a wide range of skilled staff. The professionalism, quality and experience of the staff made the project much easier to implement."
A large pool of the staff held SIA close protection qualifications, ensuring that the plethora of stars attending the London shows in particular, including Naomi Campbell, Bob Geldof and Richard E Grant, were looked after as effectively and professionally as possible.
The artists benefited from the seamless continuity that Showsec has built up with promoter Live Nation after many years of working together. "We have a close working partnership with Phil Bowdery and Andrew Craig from Live Nation," says Mark Logan. "The liaison between myself and the Tour Security Director, Scott Nicholls, was also very close as we have worked together previously on many artists including The Rolling Stones and U2. "
The continuity of service was extended at MEN Arena in particular, where Showsec is the venue's long term crowd management service partner, ensuring the best possible lines of communication between front of house and backstage security operations. Showsec's extensive experience of crowd management at the other venues again helped ensure a smooth operation in all areas.
(Lee Baldock)
