Enhancing event management and public safety through technology

Enhanced communication and situational awareness

Large-scale events like Parklife require coordination between multiple stakeholders, including several hundred police officers tasked with protecting the 60,000–80,000 festival attendees.

Superintendent Phil Spurgeon, the police Silver Commander for the event, says that his “role as Silver Commander for this event is to take the Gold Commander strategy and turn that into a tactical plan... technology is fundamental to UK policing now, and we make really good use of technology at this event to keep our staff safe and the people at the festival.”

Superintendent Spurgeon’s team uses Axon body-worn cameras to give commanders in the control room a direct view of incidents as they unfold in the field. This immediate situational awareness is critical for making informed decisions and coordinating responses effectively. “I have the ability in the control room to look at live footage. That gives me a real advantage around situational awareness that I just can’t get from a drone or CCTV.”

Chief Inspector Glen Rees spends the majority of Parklife “in the event control room...co-located with event organisers, paramedics, and other blue light services so that we’ve got joint situational awareness of what’s taken place in the event. [...] Everything from CCTV to body-worn cameras, helps us communicate effectively.”

By integrating Axon body-worn camera feeds with other technologies, GMP enhances its ability to work seamlessly with other blue light agencies, ensuring a unified approach to event management.

Enhanced productivity

Body-worn cameras don’t just help GMP during events. Video footage is extremely useful for post-event analysis and debriefing.

“We will also use body-worn video as part of the debrief process after the operation. So we will look at the operation generally and use it to look at specific incidents that we need to understand in more detail” explains Superintendent Phil Spurgeon. This thorough debrief process enables GMP to continually refine tactics and strategies for future events.

“Any relevant footage is docked back at the police station and can support evidence for prosecution, review of the incident, and document debrief” continues Chief Inspector Glen Rees. This video evidence not only expedites legal proceedings but also serves as a training tool, enhancing the preparedness and effectiveness of officers in future operations.

Improved subject behavior

Body-worn cameras are not only helpful during and after incidents in the field. Body-worn cameras have a proven deterrent effect on anti-social behaviour. “Body-worn cameras absolutely help keep my staff safe on the ground. The fact that they’re wearing it can often have a calming effect on people. And if it doesn’t, it provides us with really good information and evidence about the bad things they’re doing” explains Superintendent Spurgeon. For GMP and other agencies across the world, the presence of body-worn cameras encourages compliance and deters potential offenders, contributing to a safer environment for officers and civilians alike.

Conclusion

The adoption of Axon body-worn camera technology has proven extremely beneficial for GMP. Through enhancing communication and improving efficiency and subject behavior, body-worn camera technology has helped GMP set a new standard for public safety and event management.

“It’s a great bit of kit for us [...] it records actions of others, it also gathers evidence which can be played in a courtroom, where a judge and jury can see it” shares PC Charlie Smart of the Roads Policing Unit. “[It] ... shows a true reflection of what the incident entails” adds Sergeant Mohammed Waqas. GMP is looking forward to continuing to utilise cutting-edge technology to keep their community safe and keep their agency effective.