Planning an event in Perth comes with excitement — but also responsibility. Whether it’s a community festival, corporate function, outdoor concert or school event, you’re responsible for the safety of every person who attends.
That’s where a event security risk assessment becomes essential. It helps you identify what could go wrong, how vulnerable your event might be, and what you can do to prevent incidents before they occur. More importantly, it shows councils, insurers and stakeholders that you’ve taken safety seriously.
What Is an Event Security Risk Assessment?
A event security risk assessment is a structured process that evaluates potential threats and vulnerabilities linked to an event. It considers the location, crowd behaviour, site layout, staffing, and emergency response capabilities.
In simple terms — it answers three key questions:
- What could go wrong?
- How likely is it to happen?
- What can be done to prevent it?
Why It Matters in Perth
In Perth, event organisers often need to provide a security risk assessment to:
- Local councils for event approval
- WA Police (for larger or high-risk events)
- Venue owners and insurers
- Liquor licensing applications (if alcohol is involved)
Without it, events may face approval delays, insurance refusals, or legal exposure if an incident occurs.
What It Should Include
A well-prepared assessment is clear, practical and tailored to your event. It typically covers the areas below.
Event Details
- Event type, location and duration
- Expected crowd numbers
- Alcohol service (if applicable)
- Site layout — entry points, exits, vehicle zones
Threat Identification
Common threats vary depending on the event, but may include:
- Overcrowding or poor crowd flow
- Unauthorised entry or ticket fraud
- Aggressive behaviour or anti-social conduct
- Theft, vandalism or damage to property
- Weather-related hazards
- Vehicle-related threats or unauthorised vehicle access
- Lone actors, protest groups or targeted violence
Vulnerability Assessment
This stage reviews where your event is at risk. It looks at:
- Gaps in fencing or barricades
- Poor lighting or CCTV coverage
- Limited visibility for security staff
- Blocked or poorly defined evacuation routes
- Insufficient crowd control or staffing
- Lack of trained first aid personnel
Risk Rating
Each threat is assessed based on:
- Likelihood of it happening
- Consequence if it does occur
This is usually plotted using an ISO 31000-aligned risk matrix and helps determine which risks need immediate attention.
Control Measures and Improvements
Depending on the risks identified, recommendations may include:
- Security officer deployment and patrol zones
- Bag checks, ID checks or ticket scanning
- Improved fencing, crowd flow lanes or barriers
- CCTV or mobile surveillance units
- Alcohol management and RSA strategies
- Hostile vehicle mitigation — bollards, water barriers or road closures
- Emergency access planning and communication systems
Emergency and Incident Planning
A detailed plan should address:
- Evacuation procedures and assembly areas
- Roles and responsibilities of staff, wardens and security teams
- Communication channels (radio, control centre, emergency services)
- First aid stations, lost child points and welfare areas
- Coordination with WA Police, ambulance and fire services
Benefits of Doing It Properly
An event security risk assessment helps you:
- Prevent incidents rather than just respond to them
- Satisfy council, venue and insurance requirements
- Show clear duty of care to staff, contractors and the public
- Build confidence among stakeholders and attendees
- Ensure smoother operations on event day with fewer surprises
How Smartsec Security Solutions Supports Perth Event Organisers
Smartsec Security Solutions provides independent event security risk assessments — meaning we don’t provide guards or equipment, so our advice is unbiased and focused purely on safety and compliance.
Our process includes:
- Consultation with organisers, venues or local government
- Site inspection or review of event plans and layouts
- Threat and vulnerability analysis specific to Perth environments
- Risk matrix with prioritised recommendations
- Security deployment suggestions (numbers, locations, patrol types)
- Hostile vehicle mitigation planning if required
- Emergency management and escalation procedures
- Final report suitable for council approval, insurance or stakeholder use
We’ve supported events run by:
- Local governments and community groups
- Higher education and schools
- Corporate and private event organisers
- Sporting and entertainment venues
Why Choose Smartsec Security Solutions?
- Based in Perth with knowledge of local council processes and WA legislation
- Independent — no bias toward contractors or equipment suppliers
- Assessments aligned with ISO 31000 risk management principles
- Over 17 years of security management and consulting experience
- Clear documentation — written for real-world use, not bureaucracy
Final Thoughts
Good events don’t just run well — they run safely. A event security risk assessment helps you create a safe environment, meet legal obligations and protect your reputation.
If you’re planning an event in Perth and want support with risk assessments or security planning, Smartsec Security Solutions can help you identify risks, design practical controls and provide documentation that councils and insurers expect.
