Campaign targets safety at live music events

Counter Terrorism Policing is working with the UK live music industry on its #BeSafeBeSound campaign, which highlights the importance of reporting suspicious activity at live music events.

Created in 2021, #BeSafeBeSound urges music fans to stay alert to any signs of hostile reconnaissance and follow safety advice or security procedures in place at events and venues.

Since its launch, the campaign has reached over 10 million people in the UK via social media and other platforms. Over 60 organisations are now backing the campaign, which will be seen at events across the UK in the coming weeks and beyond.

UK Music, Festival Republic and The O2 are amongst those supporting the campaign

Counter Terrorism Policing’s Senior National Coordinator for Protect and Prepare Laurence Taylor said: “The terrorist threat remains a reality. Since 2017 we have disrupted almost 40 late-stage terror attacks alongside our colleagues at MI5.

“Whilst there is no specific intelligence to indicate an increased threat to live music events, the UK’s terrorism threat level remains at substantial.

“Our casework indicates that large events remain potentially attractive targets to terrorists and it’s absolutely vital that the public are vigilant this summer.

“We have a brilliant range of partners and organisations on board this year who are helping us make sure live music fans know what to do if they see something that doesn’t feel right. Our advice is to always tell security or speak to the police.

“Whilst we are working around the clock to detect new threats and disrupt terrorist activity, the intelligence and information we receive from the public should not be underestimated.

“Around a fifth of the online reports and calls we receive every year are particularly useful to us – turning into arrests, building intelligence pictures or kick-starting new investigations.”