Guidance & Resources
This page brings together key legislation, industry standards, and operational resources to support planning, delivery, and continuous improvement.
GUIDANCE & TOOLS
The Purple Guide
The UK events industry’s primary reference document, providing comprehensive guidance on crowd management, site design, safety planning, and welfare. It is widely recognised as the benchmark for safe event delivery.
Links:
https://www.thepurpleguide.co.uk
UKCMA Produced Chapter Downloads:
- Crowd Management
- Counterterrorism
- Dealing with Crime and Disorder
- Working with the Police
- Zone Ex
Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds (Green Guide)
The authoritative guidance for spectator safety in sports venues, covering capacity, ingress and egress, and safety certification. Its principles are frequently applied across a wide range of event environments.
Links:
https://sgsa.org.uk/green-guide/
Safer Crowds Safer Venues
This initiative promotes collaboration and continuous improvement in crowd safety across venues and events. It provides insights and resources to support safer environments.
Links:
https://www.safecrowdsvenues.org
Words Matter – The Language of Crowds
GCMA’s Words Matter initiative focuses on the critical role that language plays in shaping how crowds are understood, managed, and treated. It promotes the use of accurate, respectful, and evidence-based terminology to support better decision-making, improve safety outcomes, and reinforce a more professional and people-centred approach to crowd management.
Links:
https://thegcma.com/gcma-words-matter
HSE Event Safety Guidance
HSE provides core guidance on legal duties, risk assessment, and safe event delivery under UK health and safety law. Its resources support organisers in managing a wide range of operational risks.
Links:
https://www.hse.gov.uk/event-safety/
LEGISLATION & COMPLIANCE
Martyn’s Law (Protect Duty)
Martyn’s Law introduces a tiered legal duty for venues and events to assess and mitigate terrorist risk through proportionate measures. It formalises expectations around preparedness, staff training, and protective security.
Links:
https://www.protectuk.police.uk/martyns-law
Key UK Legislation
This includes foundational laws such as the Health and Safety at Work Act, Licensing Act, and Fire Safety Order, which underpin all UK event planning. Together, they define legal responsibilities for safety, risk management, and public protection.
Links:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk
Umbrella Company Reforms (UK Tax Changes – April 2026)
New tax rules effective from 6 April 2026 introduce joint and several liability across labour supply chains, allowing HMRC to pursue recruitment agencies and, in some cases, end clients for unpaid PAYE tax and National Insurance where umbrella companies fail to comply. These reforms are intended to address non-compliance in the umbrella market and place greater responsibility on organisations to ensure that all parties within their labour supply chain operate transparently and in accordance with UK tax law.
Links:
Key UK Legislation
This includes foundational laws such as the Health and Safety at Work Act, Licensing Act, and Fire Safety Order, which underpin all UK event planning. Together, they define legal responsibilities for safety, risk management, and public protection.
Links:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk
COUNTER TERRORISM & SECURITY
ProtectUK
ProtectUK is the UK government’s central platform for counter-terrorism and protective security guidance. It provides practical tools, risk frameworks, and updates aligned with national threat levels.
Links:
https://www.protectuk.police.uk
National Protective Security Authority (NPSA)
NPSA offers specialist advice on protecting people, infrastructure, and operations from national security threats. Its guidance supports proportionate and risk-based security planning.
Links:
ACT Awareness Training
ACT Awareness provides free training to help staff recognise and respond to suspicious behaviour and potential terrorist threats. It is widely used as a baseline standard across the UK events sector.
Links:
https://www.protectuk.police.uk/group/84
Security Industry Authority (SIA)
The SIA regulates the private security industry, including licensing requirements for event security personnel. It also plays a growing role in supporting compliance with Martyn’s Law.
Links:
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/security-industry-authority
MULTI-AGENCY COLLABORATION
JESIP Principles
JESIP defines how UK emergency services collaborate during incidents, focusing on communication and coordination. It is a key reference for event emergency planning and major incident response.
Links:
Safety Advisory Groups (SAGs)
SAGs are multi-agency forums that review event plans and provide safety guidance. They support coordination between organisers, local authorities, and emergency services.
Links:
https://www.hse.gov.uk/event-safety/safety-advisory-groups.htm
Local Resilience Forums (LRFs)
LRFs coordinate regional emergency planning and response across the UK. They are particularly relevant for large-scale or high-risk events requiring multi-agency coordination.
Links:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-resilience-forums-contact-details
WELFARE, SAFEGUARDING, & INCLUSION
Beyond Breaking Barriers (UKCMA EDI Working Group)
Beyond Breaking Barriers is the UKCMA’s EDI working group, dedicated to creating space for everyone, on and off the event site. We are passionate about making the crowd management and events industry safer, more inclusive, and reflective of the communities we serve. As the industry evolves, we work to ensure meaningful progress, champion best practice, and stay aligned with current legislation and standards.
B3 has created the following as resources for members to gain further support with diversity, equity and inclusion:
- Go Live Inclusivity Checklist, for Staff Logistics
- Glossary of Language: Awareness, Respect and Inclusion
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme helps identify and support individuals with non-visible disabilities. It is widely used to improve accessibility and inclusivity at UK events.
Links:
https://hiddendisabilitiesstore.com
Ask for Angela
“Ask for Angela” is a safeguarding initiative that enables individuals who feel unsafe, vulnerable, or at risk to discreetly seek help from venue staff. It is widely used across the UK night-time and event economy to support personal safety and welfare.
Links:
https://www.askforangela.co.uk/
Pink Bows Foundation
The Pink Bows Foundation is a global initiative dedicated to improving crowd safety, education, and wellbeing in live events, established in response to the 2021 Astroworld Festival crowd crush. It supports safer events through training, advocacy, and the creation of “Safe Spaces” that provide emotional and psychological support for attendees, alongside advancing industry-wide safety standards.
Links: