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Brits too scared to attend events following recent terror attacks

Four in 10 people now fear for their safety at public events like music concerts and Christmas markets in the wake of recent terror attacks, new research has shown. The report, conducted by ATG Access, found that these worries are so high for some that it is preventing them from attending public events full stop. 29 per cent of the public said they now will not go to large events taking place in the UK, due to concerns around the levels of security in pace. 41 per cent of people also said they now will not attend events if they think they will be over-crowded, through fear they would be unable to leave if anything was to happen. Residents in London and the West Midlands are most concerned about event safety, with 46 per cent of people in each region expressing this concern. This is also echoed in the North West where attacks have recently taken place, and in Northern Ireland and Scotland. The study was conducted as part of ATG Access’ Protecting the future of multifunctional cities report which looks at how cities in the UK are being transformed into multi-functional spaces, and the obstacles that are preventing public events from taking place. Gavin Hepburn, sales and marketing director at ATG Access, said: “While there are numerous benefits to hosting events, there are of course some concerns that need addressing. Unfortunately, the worries around security come as little surprise given the increased number of terrorist attacks we have seen on our streets over recent years, with busy areas and tourist attractions often becoming the targets. Reservations around overcrowding are also connected to this, due to the increased difficulties of monitoring hundreds if not thousands of people in one busy area at the same time. “These worries must be considered by event organisers when planning out the venue, entrance points and layout of the location to make sure that visitors can enjoy the event comfortably. Robust security measures should be put in place at all major events to mitigate against potential attacks and create a greater sense of safety for visitors. This could be through deploying more security personnel on the ground or installing physical security solutions, such as bollards or barriers. “Ultimately, if people don’t feel safe at events, they may choose not to attend – and this would prevent cities and towns from developing into truly multifunctional spaces that can be used by all. It is up to the government to do all it can to make public places safer and deter future incidents from happening. Event organisations must also make sure that security is as robust as it can be so that the public can continue to enjoy organised events and activities in their local area.”

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