Understanding the Threat Environment

The overall message was clear: while New Zealand’s national terrorism threat level remains assessed as Possible, the threat environment is real and organisations operating crowded places should ensure they are prepared to respond effectively should an incident occur.

A practical explanation was provided around the national terrorism threat level of Possible. While not a prediction that an attack will occur, it reflects an environment where there is a credible threat and where an attack cannot be ruled out. The practical interpretation discussed was that the likelihood sits within a range that warrants active preparation rather than complacency.

Authorities also continue to investigate individuals who may pose a threat through planned acts of violence or the promotion of extremist ideologies. The message for operators of crowded places was clear: preparedness and appropriate security arrangements remain essential.

 

Emerging Attack Methods

Vehicle as a Weapon

Vehicles continue to be considered one of the most plausible attack methods in crowded environments. Their accessibility, speed, weight and ability to blend into everyday activity make them an attractive option for anyone seeking to cause harm.

This reinforces the importance of understanding vehicle access points, traffic management controls and hostile vehicle mitigation measures as part of broader site security planning.

Deliberate Use of Fire

The deliberate use of fire remains a significant concern due to the accessibility of accelerants and the potentially catastrophic consequences within crowded environments.

Beyond the immediate threat, fire can create panic, complicate evacuation efforts and rapidly overwhelm emergency response arrangements.

Drones

Drones are increasingly becoming a security consideration for crowded places.

They are already being used within New Zealand for criminal reconnaissance and intelligence gathering, and there is growing recognition that successful overseas incidents involving drones could result in copycat activity domestically.

Specific crowded places guidance relating to drones is currently under development and is expected to become an increasingly important area of focus for organisations in the years ahead.

 

Preparedness Matters More Than Paperwork

A strong theme throughout the forum was that preparedness remains the most effective way to reduce harm during an incident.

Organisations were encouraged to make better use of existing resources, including Escape Hide Tell, and ensure staff understand how to respond if they find themselves involved in a violent incident.

Recommended actions include:

  • Displaying emergency information and signage
  • Educating staff on emergency response procedures
  • Conducting regular drills and exercises
  • Reviewing and testing emergency response plans

Importantly, exercises do not need to be complex. Simple, frequent and practical discussions or walkthroughs often provide greater value than infrequent large-scale exercises.

Risk Ownership Starts with Leadership

One of the most important discussions centred around responsibility.

Organisations own the risks associated with their environment. While security providers can offer advice, personnel and specialist expertise, accountability for managing risk ultimately remains with the organisation itself.

This means organisations should focus on:

  • Understanding their risks
  • Conducting meaningful risk assessments
  • Reviewing emergency procedures
  • Improving preparedness
  • Delivering training and awareness activities
  • Strengthening their ability to prevent, detect, deter and respond to incidents

A key message for directors and senior leaders was that where risks have been identified and communicated, failure to address those risks can become a significant factor following an incident.

Risk Assessments Should Drive Action

The forum reinforced that risk assessments are not simply compliance documents. Their value lies in improving understanding and supporting better decisions.

A well-executed risk assessment should lead to practical changes that reduce risk, improve preparedness and strengthen response capability. The document itself is not the outcome; better decisions are.

Good CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) contributes to safer environments. However, physical design alone does not manage risk. Effective risk management requires capable people, clear procedures and organisations that are prepared to respond when something goes wrong.

A Potential New Framework for Security Officers

A topic currently being discussed between New Zealand Police and the New Zealand Security Association is the concept of Guide. Shelter. Report.

The intention is to provide security officers with a simple framework during an active armed offender or similar incident:

  • Guide people away from danger
  • Shelter people in places of relative safety
  • Report information to emergency responders

This is not yet confirmed industry guidance, and there is ongoing discussion regarding alignment with Escape Hide Tell messaging to ensure consistency and reduce confusion.

Operational Considerations for Crowded Places

Several practical considerations discussed at the forum are applicable to many organisations managing crowded environments:

  • The location of venue management teams and chief wardens in relation to a Control Room or Security Operations Centre (SOC) can significantly influence incident management effectiveness.
  • Some organisations are moving away from the term Control Room and towards Security Operations Centre (SOC) terminology.
  • Emergency response plans should be tested to ensure they do not create a bottleneck around the Incident Controller. In a major incident, there can be too many critical tasks for one person to manage effectively, including emergency communications, operator coordination, CCTV monitoring and liaison with emergency services.
  • Organisations should regularly review emergency response structures to ensure roles, responsibilities and delegation points are simple, scalable and clearly understood.
  • In retail environments, preparedness initiatives are often more successful when driven by senior leadership rather than solely at an individual store level.

Turning Security Plans into Real-World Readiness

The forum reinforced a simple but important message: effective security is about more than plans, procedures and compliance requirements.

The organisations best positioned to respond to a crisis are those that actively invest in preparedness through risk assessments, emergency planning, staff training, exercises and continuous review.

By taking a proactive approach to risk management, organisations can strengthen their ability to prevent, detect, deter and respond to incidents, while creating safer environments for staff, customers and the wider community.

Resources

Organisations looking to strengthen their understanding of crowded places security are encouraged to explore the CrowdSafe NZ website.

The site provides practical guidance, resources, case studies and preparedness information designed to help organisations better understand risks and improve their security and emergency management arrangements. It is a useful resource for both security professionals and those responsible for managing crowded places.