SABRE Risk
- Sep 6
- 4 min read

Crowd Control & Crowd Management | What is the Difference? | SABRE Risk

Summary

In reference to event planning and public safety, the terms “crowd management” and “crowd control” are often frequently used interchangeably but mean different things, if you are an event organizer, or work within the events industry, you should understand the differences.

Crowd Management

It refers to the strategic planning and implementation of measures to facilitate the safe and efficient movement of people around, and into an event space. It encompasses a wide range of activities designed to ensure a positive experience for attendees while maintaining order and safety. It’s important to remember the goal of the events we work on are to provide attendees with enjoyable experiences. Being safe at an event contributes significantly to attendees’ experience (reputational risk).

The Elements of Crowd Management

Planning and Preparation

This involves assessing the venue, and the operation, and understanding the expected crowd’s size and profile of the crowd expected, along with the profile of the artist(s) and historic data available to you. Preparing appropriate layouts for entry and exit points, delineation of areas with differing access criteria, emergency exits, search and screening, and usable and un-usable spaces.

Communication

Effective crowd management requires clear communication with attendees, both before, during and after an event. This can include social media, signage, announcements, and staff instructions to guide people efficiently, we also must ensure stakeholders are aware of the plans, and fully understand roles and responsibilities.

Staff Training

Personnel involved in crowd management are trained to assist and direct attendees, manage queues, and provide information. Personnel operational in crowd management roles need to understand the plans that govern the event, hence why collaboration and training/briefings are paramount.

Monitoring and Supervision

Using tools like CCTV, a central command location, such as an Event Operational Command, on-site safety teams, security teams, and designated monitoring staff (spotters), event organizers continuously observe crowd dynamics to prevent potential issues, we must also consider the weather, and this should be monitored closely, especially here in the Middle East, where sandstorms can be unexpected, with harsh winds.

Preventive Measures

Crowd management also includes implementing measures such as barriers, signage, and designated pathways to streamline movement and prevent congestion or bottle necks. If done appropriately, guest experience should not be impacted, they should not feel ‘’managed’’.

Crowd Control

Crowd control, on the other hand, is the reactive component. It involves managing a situation that represents a risk to the safety of those at your event. It focuses on responding to, and mitigating situations where an issue has developed requiring intervention to restore control, such as a fight, or barrier breach/collapse.

The Elements of Crowd Control

Incident Response

Crowd control measures are activated when a situation has already escalated, such as a fight, or an emergency egress.

Security Response

It often involves the use of security personnel, law enforcement, or specialized units trained to handle crisis situations.

Physical Intervention

This can include the use of barriers, barricades, and other physical means to control crowd movement and prevent further escalation within or around an area.

De-escalation Techniques

Trained personnel may use negotiation, communication, or, in extreme cases, physical force to calm a volatile situation.

Safety Protocols

Crowd control measures ensure the safety of both the crowd and the personnel involved, often requiring rapid evacuation procedures or crowd dispersal techniques.

Key Take-Aways

Proactive vs. Reactive

Crowd management is proactive, focusing on preventing issues through planning, designing out risks and organization. Crowd control is reactive, addressing issues that have already arisen.

Scope

Crowd management deals with everyday event situations and regular crowd movement, while crowd control is applied in emergencies or situations where a risk is posed to parties at the event.

Personnel and Equipment

Crowd management relies on trained staff, signage, and communication tools, whereas crowd control may involve law enforcement, security forces, and physical barriers.

Objective

The primary goal of crowd management is to enhance the attendee experience and maintain smooth operations. In contrast, crowd control aims to restore order and ensure safety during a crisis.

Conclusion

In summary, while crowd management and crowd control both aim to ensure the safety and well-being of people in public spaces, they serve distinct purposes. Crowd management is a proactive approach focused on planning and preventing issues, creating a safe and orderly environment. Crowd control, conversely, is a reactive response to manage and resolve situations where there is a risk posed to the crowd and intervention is necessary.

Understanding these differences is crucial for event organizers, venue operators, and public safety professionals. By effectively implementing both crowd management and crowd control strategies, they can ensure the success of events and the safety of all attendees.

How Can SABRE Risk Help?

Although many companies focus solely on security, or crowd safety management, SABRE Risk combines their experience and qualifications of both, ensuring the client receives the best possible support during the planning, delivery and post event phases of their operations.

As a promoter of large-scale open-air concerts or events, it is your responsibility to provide a safe environment for those attending. SABRE Risk uses the latest guidelines to design a new plan or audit old plans and bring them up to date that ensure every possible scenario is accounted for and communicated to the client.

Members of our leadership team possess a number of industry leading qualifications, backed-up by years of experience.