Sceptre were approached by one of the major fashion houses to assist with the launch of their latest collection. The venue was located in one of the primary western European cities. It involved hiring an iconic site for several days to allow for the build, rehearsal and event itself.
The launch would see the attendance of many global ‘A’ listers, designers and models alongside journalists, invited guests and contractors. The event was to be broadcast live to a worldwide audience, and as is the case with these types of events, anticipation within the fashion industry was palpable.
From a security perspective, there were many challenges. The safe transport of ‘talent’ to and from the venue, accreditation of staff and journalists, securing the outer perimeter, establishing inner cordons, contingency planning, CCTV coverage and capability, security guarding, access control, communications, emergency service access (if necessary), physical collection protection and prevention of collection imagery leakage etc.
Security challenges
The challenge was intensified by a number of other issues, including:
- The fashion house did not have exclusive use of the venue meaning legitimate users of the building for other reasons could pass the outer perimeter.
- Demonstrations for various political ends were currently rife in all major European cities and several similar and unrelated events had been recently infiltrated by demonstrators.
- Sceptre and its partners undertook a comprehensive analysis and assessment of the risk posed to the event. We examined its people, assets, and likely adversaries and their more common methodology to disrupt and infiltrate an event. We developed a security plan encompassing several different layers to mitigate the most likely physical and brand reputational risks.
Comprehensive security assessment
Sceptre and its partners undertook a comprehensive analysis and assessment of the risk posed to the event. We examined its people, assets, and likely adversaries, as well as their more common methodology to disrupt and infiltrate an event. We developed a security plan encompassing several layers to mitigate the most likely physical and brand reputational risks.
Communication was key to this event (as it is with most). The event organisers and the security team had to agree and be mutually supportive to be effective. Any security breach was likely to be fast, necessitating a rapid response. However, rather than wait for any potential security breach, Sceptre took a covert proactive approach to identify potential threats before they could manifest themselves.
Potential risk averted
Amongst the crowds lining the perimeter were a number of ‘undercover’ trusted operatives trained to identify suspicious activity. Linked with covert communications there was a constant exchange of information with the Security response team and site CCTV operators.
It was through this team that a suspicious couple were identified. A few moments later, the couple attempted to breach the security perimeter near the TV crews, but having been identified in advance, our security assets were there waiting for them. As a result, they were prevented from breaching the outer perimeter along with their two concealed banners.
Had the couple been able to breach the perimeter and expose their banner to the TV cameras it would have been highly embarrassing and would have likely stolen the headlines thousands of fashion house staff and contractors had worked tirelessly for.
