Crowd Management
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Service Overview
FGH Consult provides expert crowd management consultancy, combining operational experience with strategic planning to deliver safe, efficient, and enjoyable experiences. We work with clients to develop proportionate solutions tailored to the scale, location, and nature of their events or crowded environments, from indoor venues and transport hubs to outdoor festivals and city streets.
Planning & Documentation
Our core off-the-shelf service is a comprehensive Crowd Management Plan, designed to anticipate and mitigate risks while improving operational efficiency. We can also provide full event documentation packages, including Security Planning, Counter Terrorism Risk Management Plans, Emergency and Contingency Plans, SAG support, and on-the-ground operational management. These services can be delivered individually or as a complete integrated package, ensuring consistency and clarity across all aspects of event safety and security.
Methodology
We apply internationally recognised methodologies such as RAMP analysis and DIM ALICED to assess crowd behaviour and potential risks. Additionally, FGH Consult utilises proprietary models, Touchpoint 36 and Touchpoint 231, developed by Mark McQuade, which provide advanced frameworks for managing complex crowd dynamics. Dynamic crowd modelling solutions can be scaled to the expected movement patterns, allowing clients to visualise and plan for both routine operations and exceptional circumstances.
Operational Expertise
Mark McQuade and Dave Taylor have served as Tactical Crowd Managers at events exceeding 40,000 attendees. Our consultants remain operationally active, ensuring that planning advice is grounded in real-world experience. On-the-ground deployment complements strategic guidance, enabling seamless integration between planning and execution.
Holistic Outcomes
Our approach connects the dots across crowd, security, and counter-terrorism considerations. For example, by reducing queues and optimising flow, we enhance guest experience and commercial outcomes while also mitigating vulnerabilities in external zones. Impact metrics are developed in partnership with clients, delivering measurable improvements in safety, efficiency, and operational effectiveness.
FGH Consult provides senior-level advice and practical solutions for event organisers, combining planning, operational oversight, and strategic insight to create smarter, safer, and more resilient events.
FAQs
What is Crowd Management?
Crowd Management is the planning and control of crowd movement, density, and behaviour to reduce risk, prevent incidents, and maintain safe, efficient operations at venues and events.
When is Crowd Management required?
Crowd Management is required wherever people gather in numbers, particularly at events, public spaces, venues, transport hubs, or any location where crowd density or movement could create risk.
How is Crowd Management different from crowd control?
Crowd Management is proactive and preventative, focusing on design, planning, and flow. Crowd control is reactive, involving intervention when behaviour or conditions begin to deteriorate.
What factors influence crowd risk levels?
Key factors include crowd size, demographics, event type, site layout, access and egress routes, alcohol availability, weather, and the behaviour being encouraged or expected.
What does a Crowd Management Plan include?
A typical plan covers crowd profiling, capacity and density limits, ingress and egress arrangements, staffing deployment, communication procedures, escalation triggers, and emergency responses.
Does Crowd Management apply to small events or venues?
Yes. Crowd management should always be proportionate. Smaller events still require planning to address foreseeable risks, even if the controls are simpler and less resource-intensive.
How does Crowd Management link to wider security and risk planning?
Crowd management supports wider safety and security obligations, and for qualifying premises, it may form part of the practical measures used to meet requirements under Martyn’s Law.