According to research from Group 4 Securicor (UK Security), there will be 1.1 incidents of abuse towards British adults at public events over the next year.
Verbal abuse is the most common form of antisocial behaviour at public events and Group 4 Securicor estimates that there could be 700,000 victims over the next year.
The research reveals that 200,000 British adults could be victims of physical violence at public events over the next year. 165,000 British adults could be victims of racism and over 160,000 adults may be forced to endure sexual intimidation at public events during the next twelve months. Interestingly, the research also revealed that men are just as likely as women to suffer from sexual intimidation whilst attending a public event.
Group 4 Securicor’s research reveals that 24.3 million British adults are more concerned about safety at public events than they were two years ago. Women were particularly concerned with 59pc (14.2 million) expressing serious concern about safety issues. Group 4 Securicor, which commissioned the research believes that the findings highlight the need for event organisers to commit resources to ensure effective security solutions which will assuage the public’s safety fears.
What they say
Douglas Greenwell, Marketing Director of Group 4 Securicor (UK Security) said: “It is essential that those attending public events can do so in safety, free from violence and intimidation. Organisers cannot afford to ignore this worrying problem of abuse and violence which could have serious implications on attendance figures and gate revenues. The strategic deployment of trained security officers can help reassure spectators, deter potential offenders and tackle any incidents that arise. Security measures serve the dual purpose of not only protecting spectators’ safety at events but also their enjoyment of the spectacle.”
Adults in the North West are six times as likely to be victims of physical violence at public events as those in the South, Scotland and Wales and the West. British adults living in the North East, Yorkshire & Humberside are most likely to suffer from racist provocation, while those living in Wales and the West are most likely to face verbal abuse at public events over the next year.
