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Territorial Policing: Planned Community Events
Policy
Version 1
This is a revised policy for planned community
events which previously formed part of the Youth
& Community Safety Policy.
This policy requires police officers and police staff to
follow the standard operating procedures when
planning and organising a Planned Community Event
to ensure that all health safety, legal and equality
considerations are addressed from the outset.
TP Safer Neighbourhood Strategic Committee
Territorial Policing HQ – Neighbourhood Policing
November 2011
November 2015
Introduction
The MPS Corporate Health and Safety Policy states;
“The Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) and The Commissioner of the
Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) are committed to ensuring the health and
safety of officers, staff, contractors and the public who are affected by our
activities”
This Policy for planned community events is designed to enable this aim to be
achieved at all public community events or activities.
The definition of a Planned Community Event (PCE) is as follows:
“A Planned Community Event is an event whether organised exclusively by the
MPS or participation by the MPS in a wider event organised by other parties or
agencies in which members of the community, general public, partners or
volunteers are involved, by participating in the event, or any of its activities, or
visiting the event”.
It enables the MPS to demonstrate commitment to health and safety for
employees as well as demonstrating our commitment to the safety of the
community in which we operate.
This policy outlines the necessary procedures to be followed when engaged in
the planning and organising of Planned Community Events.
Application
This policy will apply from the date of publication on notices.
All police officers and police staff, including the extended police family and those
working voluntarily or under contract to the MPA must be aware of, and are
required to comply with, all relevant MPS policy and associated procedures.
This policy applies to all MPS police officers and staff who are involved in the
planning of community events and in particular to the following who have specific
responsibilities:
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B/OCU Commanders
B/OCU nominated SMT lead or Health and Safety lead.
Borough Liaison Officers
Head of TP Safer Neighbourhoods Unit
Safety & Health Risk Management Team (SHRMT)
Insurance Management Team (IMT)
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Event Organisers
N.B. This list is not intended to be exhaustive.
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that correct and stated procedures are
followed in the planning and organising of planned community events and that all
potential hazards and risk assessments are properly considered and completed.
This is to ensure the safety and protection of all persons that are present, in
particular young people and other vulnerable persons.
Scope
As previously defined, this policy relates to Planned Community Events (PCE).
These may include but are not limited to:
• Police station (police premises) open days.
• Police and staff recruitment and career events
• PCEs that include demonstrations of public order, dogs, vehicles, other
vessels and firearms.
• PCEs that include any physical activity or sporting competitions and any
recreational indoor and outdoor pursuits and activity.
• Summer youth crime diversion schemes
• Pre-planned meeting (SN meetings or similar on non MPS premises)
• Junior Citizen Schemes
• Commendation Ceremonies
The following may not fall within the definition of a Planned Community
Event; however, each case must be dealt with on its own merit before
deciding whether to exclude it from this policy:
• Activities related to operational policing
• Visit by a member of public or visiting dignitaries to a police station (an
organised school visit would be a PCE)
• An ad hoc meeting held for the purpose of operational policing. (Any preplanned meeting would be a Planned Community Event)
If you are uncertain as to whether the event is a PCE and subject to this
policy, you must consult with the Insurance Management Team and your
nominated B/OCU Health and Safety Advisor for advice.
Policy Statement
All officers and staff involved in the planning and organising of events and
activities for PCEs must follow the processes outlined in the relevant Standard
Operating Procedures for PCEs.
An appropriately trained and competent person must complete a risk
assessment.
The B/OCU Commander or nominated SMT lead on Health and Safety must give
authority for the PCE to proceed.
Benefits
This policy:
• Supports the MPS priorities on ‘safety for our public and confidence for
our communities.’
• Allows for transparency and identifiable ownership in the arrangements
and considerations for the health and safety of all involved in PCEs.
• Enables the MPS to monitor and quality control the planning and risk
assessment processes and to identify any areas of risk or liability.
• Ensures that all PCEs are planned and operated in a manner where
health, safety and welfare are the foremost priority.
Responsibilities
The ownership, implementation, monitoring and review of this policy will remain
the responsibility of Territorial Policing HQ–Safer Neighborhoods Unit.
Associated Documents and Policies
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Standard Operating Procedure for Planned Community Events
MPS Health and Safety Policy
Equality Impact Assessment Policy
Additional Guidance
The following documents can provide further reading and information on this
specific safety topic and are recommended for reference.
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The Events Safety Guide - A guide to health, safety and welfare at music and
similar events. (HSG195) (“The Purple Book”) ISBN 0 7176 2453 6.
Managing Crowd Safety (HSG154) ISBN 0 7176 1834 X.
ACPO Guide on Public Events (Whose responsibility)
Guide to Fire Precautions in Existing Places of Entertainment and Like
Premises
Giving your own firework display (HSG124) ISBN 9780717661626
Safety Guidance for Street Arts, Carnival, Processions and Large Scale
Performances published by the Independent Street Arts Network, copies of
which may be obtained through:
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www.streetartsnetwork.org.uk/cn/publications/index.php
Health and Safety of Pupils on Educational Visits (DFES Good practice guide)
The London Child Protection Procedures