8. Safety & Security
Putting Safety First

Safety and Security Objectives

The key safety and security objectives of England 2007 Ltd will be:

• to ensure that all persons attending the Event including players, officials, VIPs, staff, media, sponsors and spectators do so in a safe and secure environment
• to provide a relaxed, unobtrusive yet secure and safe environment for the duration of the operational period for all aspects of the Event
• in liaison with the Police, to ensure that the security measures remain commensurate with the prevailing levels of threat
• to respond to security incidents efficiently and effectively and without delay
• to ensure that the security operation is managed within agreed budget targets
• to ensure that security measures minimise the impact of the Event on the day-to-day commercial and social life of the local communities.

Safety and Security Administration

The importance that the RFU places on safety and security is recognised in its proposed Event management structure with the Security Team under the leadership of the RFU’s National Security Manager reporting directly to the CEO of England 2007 Ltd.

The Event Security Team will be responsible for the detailed planning and implementation of the Tournament’s Safety and Security Plan. It will be assisted by senior representatives of the Police, Fire Service, Ambulance Service, Government Security Agencies, Stadium Safety Managers and the Venue Stadium Directors. See Appendix 5 - Safety & Security.

The Event Security Team will be responsible for the overall implementation and monitoring of the Tournament Security Plan. On a local level each stadium will establish its own Stadium Security Team under the direction of the Venue Stadium Directors and the Venue Stadium Safety Managers. The individual Stadium Security Teams will be responsible for the safety and security of each game taking place within their designated stadium with assistance provided by the local Police, Fire and Ambulance services and the local Licensing Authority. See Appendix 5 - Safety & Security.

Venues

The safety and security of all venues chosen to host the Event will be provided by an integrated workforce comprising of RFU appointed Venue Stadium Directors, Stadium Management, contracted security staff and trained stewards, all of whom will be supported by the Police, Emergency Services and the local Licensing Authority.

We will ensure that appropriate security measures will be put in place for the safety and security of all persons attending the games at the respective venues. These measures will not be intrusive but will be based upon sound risk assessments of potential threats and issues, whilst at the same time recognising the importance of the spirit of the game of rugby.

The security philosophy within each stadium will be in accordance with existing UK standards comprising the appropriate numbers of high profile qualified stewards supported by an agreed Police presence inside each stadium.

The Police Service will provide a high standard of security outside the venue and across the country as a whole. There will be a collaborative arrangement with Police to ensure that the RFU is kept informed of the prevailing levels of threat during the planning and operational phases of the Event.

The security arrangements will be sufficiently flexible to allow for appropriate security staffing levels to be increased or decreased commensurate with the prevailing level of threat and in relation to the venues, in compliance with the Stadium Safety Certificate.
Stewarding skills and numbers will comply with the requirements of the Stadium Safety Certificate. This is a mandatory requirement, which the RFU will ensure is met at each stadium. The UK model of steward training and qualification criteria is seen throughout the world as ’best practice’ and one which many countries are currently adopting.

There will be an obvious, consistent operational security regime at each of the venues, which will be friendly and unobtrusive but with an ability to respond to adverse situations in a positive manner.

The safety and security strategies will be comprehensive and capable of responding to all levels of incident or behaviour which threatens or is likely to threaten the safety of the spectators, players, officials, tournament workforce and the general public working or living the in the vicinity of the venues.

It is important to emphasise that all venues have been selected based upon their standard being commensurate with the status and profile of the Event. All have a proven track record in managing the safety and security of high profile sporting events. This reputation will not, however, be taken for granted. he RFU will, in liaison with the Police, conduct a site vulnerability survey and threat analysis for each venue and take all measures to minimise any identified risk.

In addition, each Venue Stadium Director and Stadium Safety Manager will liaise with all other venue and stadium operating staff to ensure that all functional areas of responsibility within each stadium are aware of the impact which security and safety measures may have on their field of operation. Such liaison will prevent confusion and permit a seamless implementation of security and safety policies.

The status of the Event will attract a significant VIP presence comprising members of the Royal Household and similar royal dignitaries from overseas, Heads of State and other VIPs, some of whom will attract ‘Personal Protection’ status. The RFU will liaise with the Police to manage this high level of security so as to minimise the impact on the organisation of the Event but in a way that will respect the dignity of the visiting VIP.

The UK safety licensing system is well established and follows national guidelines, which guarantees consistency at each stadium. It is seen as important to maintain a close working relationship with each Local Authority in which venues are located. These Local Authorities are also responsible for the implementation of ‘off site’ emergency situations which could impact on the business continuity of the Event. The RFU will, therefore, ensure that the contingency plans for each stadium take this relationship into account.

Teams and Officials

The security arrangements for teams and officials will begin at their point of arrival in the UK and include their subsequent transport arrangements, hotel accommodation, training venues and periods of competition.

There will be a well-organised and secure corporate ‘meet and greet’ process at the point of arrival. Baggage handling of luggage and equipment will be an integral part of this process.

The security strategy will take into account the initial journey to the team hotel and subsequent journeys to training sessions and tournament games. Transport schedules will be respected and security measures put in place to protect the privacy of the team and officials at all times. A close liaison will be maintained between the team, officials and the RFU to accommodate any requests for changes in strategy.

All hotels to be used by teams and officials will be specially selected for their quality and ability to maintain the privacy of their clients; the hotel security will form an integral part of the overall security philosophy.

There will be collaboration with the local Police to ensure an immediate response to any security concerns relating to the hotel.
We will respect the privacy requirement of each team at their respective training sessions. Security measures at training venues will be implemented commensurate with the threat posed to the training venues.

The security regime at each stadium will recognise the teams and officials as important client groups. The security programme will contain special arrangements to receive the teams and officials on arrival at each stadium and will ensure their safety whilst at the stadium and on their departure.

Spectators

The security policies for the RWC will take into account the mature responsible profile of the vast majority of traditional rugby union supporters. In doing so, the implementation of security measures will reflect the spirit of the game of rugby.

The Spectator Security Plan will include provision of clear and user-friendly security measures without intruding into their enjoyment of the Event as a whole. The security measures will generally be consistent with the methods that have been tried and tested over a number of years at the respective host venues. Reviews will be undertaken to ensure, where reasonable, that there is consistency of the measures across all host venues and that where predominantly football venues are used that reasonable account is taken of the differences between football and rugby supporters.

It will also include successfully implementing the safety requirements as governed by current UK legislation (including any issues identified in the host venues’ Safety Certificate) and effective management and co-ordination of the travelling and arrival requirements of spectators to and from venues either by road, rail or air.

Ultimate Responsibility for Security

During the planning phase the RFU will develop detailed Safety and Security Plans that will clearly identify levels of responsibility and authority for the Event’s safety and security operation. These levels of authority and responsibility will be commensurate with the management structures identified in Section 7 - Administration.

Preventing Propaganda and Protest

The RFU recognises that a high profile sporting event such as the RWC provides an opportunity for an individual or groups seeking to use the event as a platform to promote their cause. To minimise this risk the RFU will maintain a close liaison with the Police to facilitate early notification of adverse propaganda or intention to protest. The RFU in collaboration with the Police will be proactive in analysing information and intelligence with a view to thwarting any potential adverse propaganda or protest. This proactive policy will involve a positive Tournament Media Strategy, which will be aimed at maintaining public confidence and support for the Tournament and the game of rugby as a whole.

In recognition of the right to free speech the RFU may, in certain circumstances, consider providing facilities to accommodate reasonable and lawful protest but only in a controlled, unobtrusive environment. This decision will only be implemented after consultation with the Police.

Detailed Security Plans

The RFU will ensure that its planning for security and safety issues will be a high priority. The planning process will be co-ordinated by the RFU‘s National Security Manager and will involve senior personnel from the Police and Emergency Services, the Stadium Safety Managers, the Government Security Agencies and the Local Authorities.

The Tournament’s Security Plans will be extremely thorough in their scope and will benefit significantly from the high levels of security and safety planning that has proven to exist for sporting events in England.

The scope of the plans will include but not be limited to the following issues:

• contingency plans
• training plans
• emergency plans
• acts of terrorism
• disaster plans
• dignitary protection
• communications
• team and official security
• venue security
• crowd disturbances
• pitch incursions
• medical emergencies
• bomb threats and suspect packages
• resources and equipment
• command structures
• accreditation.

Phase 1 will be a process of information gathering about previous major sporting events, establishing the planning structure, establishing the roles and responsibilities of the agencies involved and establishing the framework under which the security and safety operation will operate.

Phase 2 will have an increased emphasis upon detailed planning associated with the concept of operation and the identification of the resource requirements. Operational policies and procedures will be developed and approved.

Phase 3 will involve the refinement of the above and the transition of the planning efforts into a viable Operational Plan. During this period training would be intensified with emphasis on the integration of personnel, equipment and operational procedures.