[MSN] security issues and Tutankhamun exhibition in London

[MSN]

Protecting Tutankhamun's treasures


After a 35-year absence, the treasures of Tutankhamun have returned to
London for the stunning 'Golden Age of the Pharaohs' Exhibition. With -
literally - priceless artefacts on display, the event presents the Anschutz
Entertainment Group (AEG) and service partner G4S Security Services (UK)
with a unique protection challenge. Brian Sims chats with Paul Bullen, Tom
Bell and Sally Davies to unearth the security solutions put in place. Photos
courtesy of G4S Security Services (UK)

The O2 in London's Docklands is Europe's newest entertainment destination.
Redevelopment of the former Millennium Dome costing multi-billions of pounds
has realised a 20,000-seat arena, a 12-screen multiplex cinema (and a
similar number of restaurants), several swanky bars, two-storeys' worth of
exhibition space and The Indigo2 live entertainment venue (recently graced
by none other than 'Legends of Rock' Led Zeppelin).

In addition, there are two nightclubs (including the Studio2 Music Club that
can accommodate 2,000 paying punters).

Media types are already waxing lyrical that The O2 has "redefined the face
of entertainment in the UK". Much of their reason for doing so focuses on
the 'Jewel in the Crown' of this fabulous complex - a somewhat unusual
exhibition area designated The O2 Bubble. This is the cultural hub of The
O2, designed to house a unique mix of display and themed exhibitions. How
appropriate, then, that the exhibition the Anschutz Entertainment Group
(AEG) has chosen as the launch event for this genuinely unique venue is
swiftly proving to be one of the most popular of modern times.

For over 3,000 years, King Tut's vast array of treasures lay buried deep
beneath the golden Egyptian sands. When those treasures 'toured the world'
in 1977, audiences were awestruck and, almost overnight, 'The Boy King'
became a global sensation. Now, after a 35-year absence, the 130-plus
artefacts from the tomb of Tutankhamun have returned to the Capital once
more for the dazzling 'Golden Age of the Pharaohs' Exhibition (which opened
last November, and is expected to draw crowds of more than two million).


The security challenge

Maintaining the myriad features that make The O2 Bubble such a popular
destination for visitors - while at the same time delivering robust
protection for priceless treasures - presents AEG's venue manager Sally
Davies with a rather unique security challenge.

"The accessibility of the venue and its position in the wider O2 complex
makes it attractive to members of the public who would otherwise probably
not even consider visiting a 'museum' in the traditional sense," suggests
King. "However, because The O2 Bubble wasn't built as a traditional museum,
it didn't benefit from the established security infrastructures normally
found in such an environment. Necessarily, we had to make those
infrastructures our foremost priority."

At the start of the project, AEG employed independent risk assessors who
were brought in to evaluate the integrity of the site in relation to the
value of King Tut's treasure trove. "The O2 Bubble is essentially a building
inside a tent. It wasn't really built to house priceless artefacts, so we
also sought advice from specialists in the museums world," explains G4S
operations manager Tom Bell. "The O2 is a 24-hour venue. It cannot be locked
down at night in the traditional sense. There are people coming out of
clubs, and upwards of 20,000 exiting The Arena Indigo2 after a concert. All
of this had to be taken into consideration."

Being an ex-military man, Bell followed what he describes as "a
platoon-level plan" for the security strategy at The O2 Bubble, encompassing
the gallery spaces, the retail area and the 'profiling' of both in a
building that could be playing host to between 2,000 and 2,500 visitors at
any given time. Potential theft and/or vandalism of the exhibits would
obviously be a key issue here, but so too is the potential for an act of
terrorism.

Using the information gleaned from discussions with leading practitioners in
the museums field as a base point, Davies then commissioned the installation
of high-tech surveillance and security systems. All entrance and exit ways
within The O2 Bubble are fully alarmed. Leaving absolutely nothing to
chance, there's even a laser alarm system covering the roof of the building.

A key part of developing an established security infrastructure lay in the
creation of a dedicated Control Room for the building, providing the venue
with a secure base from where operations may be co-ordinated. All internal
and external activities are continually tracked by CCTV and a host of
related security monitoring equipment.

Establishing major procedures
Post-risk assessment and systems commissioning, security solutions partner
G4S Security Services (UK) was brought in to develop and realise the
security strategy for the exhibition building proper. "What we were faced
with was providing tight security in a museum-style environment that's a
public exhibitions space," explains G4S Security Services (UK)'s events
director Paul Bullen. "It's a non-traditional environment."

AEG's ethos is all about the customer experience, and how visitors engage
with the venue, so a fine balance has to be struck between protective
security and accessibility. No easy task.

Daily procedures were consequently established by G4S and AEG to ensure that
security levels are appropriate for the building and the nature of the
present exhibition. Additionally, G4S officers are in close contact across
the venue with a direct link to a police-team based onsite, allowing for an
immediate response in the event of an incident.

"We're in constant contact with the Borough Police," adds Tom Bell, "and
they could instigate a lockdown process for The O2 Bubble if required. G4S
officers at The Bubble have dedicated experience of event security, and have
undergone a bespoke training programme designed around the specific needs of
the exhibition.

Security Industry Authority (SIA) licences are held by all officers as
standard, and the team includes operatives specially trained in CCTV
monitoring, x-ray scanning and traditional bag searching techniques. All
officers hold SIA door supervisor licenses for good measure.

Each morning, staff receive a briefing with the whole G4S team - including
management - to highlight any particular problems expected that day, and to
review each individual's performance and presentation. A tried-and-tested
management structure offers several attributes, ensuring that security
procedures are rigidly adhered to at all times.

For example, every member of staff has a clearly defined role, and there's a
clear reporting structure. Any serious problems that might arise are
communicated to top management and dealt with immediately.

Conversely, smaller day-to-day issues on a lesser scale are filtered and
resolved by supervisors. All procedures are routinely checked by different
members of the team for accuracy and consistency. "An excellent
communications structure is absolutely vital," stresses Paul Bullen.

Benefiting from Gurkha Services
AEG is benefiting from G4S' newly-launched Gurkha Services division. This
uses specialist security officers - all of them former Gurkha soldiers -
with extensive experience of safeguarding sensitive sites, and at least 12
years' experience of dealing with crisis situations. Unobtrusive and totally
focused, these officers constantly monitor the exhibits and watch for
suspicious behaviour.

"The ex-Gurkhas are there not to talk to members of the public but purely to
guard the exhibits," explains Tom Bell. "Their skills are ideal for guarding
exactly the sort of crowded public place Lord West referred to in his recent
report." Bell and Bullen explain that the number of officers on site will
vary, and that x-ray systems are employed as and when the defined risk level
deems this to be appropriate.

"We need a high level of security planning and execution to keep the public
safe," adds Bullen, "but that must be balanced with the need for visitors to
have a good time. Part of our role is to make them want to come back."

Constantly updated training has seen practice evacuations carried out
smoothly such that AEG and G4S have the ability to seamlessly clear the
building when it's at full capacity within five minutes. That's impressive
in itself. Best Practice procedures like this ensure that security at The O2
Bubble is as good as you'll find in any museum/gallery environment.

http://www.info4security.com/

Museum Security Network / Museum Security Consultancy
toncremers at museum-security.org
http://www.museum-security.org
Handboek Veiligheidszorg Erfgoedbeheerders
http://www.handboekveiligheidszorgmusea.nl/