The statement below was issued by Glasgow 2014 on Monday 18th November:

Police Scotland and Glasgow 2014 have today (Monday 18 November) announced another major step towards the provision of a safe and secure Commonwealth Games.

In line with the existing safety and security processes for the Games, a number of companies have now been invited to support Police Scotland’s significant staffing commitment to the event and provide security and stewarding personnel as part of the overall safety and security operation.

This delivers on the commitment to learn from major events like the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, putting Police Scotland in charge of Games safety and security and providing a mix of police officers, private security guards, stewards, and military personnel to cover all aspects of the security operation.

Police Scotland Deputy Chief Constable Steve Allen, Security Director for the Commonwealth Games, said:

“Glasgow 2014 will be a fantastic sporting event which we want to ensure people can enjoy, from the starting blocks to the finishing line. From the time that athletes and spectators start arriving in Scotland to the Closing Ceremony, it is Police Scotland’s absolute priority to ensure a safe and secure Commonwealth Games.

“To deliver that, Police Scotland and the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee have spent many months developing a programme through which we will work with the private security industry to deliver appropriate levels of security and stewarding staff. These staff are expected to be deployed in a range of specific, targeted locations across the footprint of the Commonwealth Games, from Games venues and accommodation to training facilities.

“We have today confirmed that 19 companies have been invited to sign up to framework agreements. Police Scotland will always have the lead role and responsibility in delivering Games safety and security, with private contract security staff used in roles which do not require police officers to carry out those specific functions such as stewarding and venue and site security.

“Police Scotland, working with a wide range of partners, has a track record of delivering large-scale events safely and securely. For Glasgow 2014 we will be using the appropriate mix of police officers, security guards, stewards, and military personnel as part of our planned operation, Police Scotland and the Organising Committee are confident that Glasgow 2014 will be a success in every sense, an event that will be remembered for years to come and one that athletes, spectators and the people of Glasgow and Scotland can fully enjoy.”

All companies invited to participate in the safety and security programme have gone through a robust and competitive tendering process. Companies who sign up to the framework can be awarded various security or stewarding work. The plans for private security delivery for Glasgow 2014 have developed following extensive engagement with the industry itself and looking at experience elsewhere, including the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

DCC Allen added:

“Our planning for safety and security for Glasgow 2014 has been subject to significant levels of scrutiny. It is well-advanced and on track.”

David Leather, Glasgow 2014 Chief Operating Officer said:

“Glasgow 2014 has been working positively and collaboratively with Police Scotland and the private security industry to develop security and stewarding solutions which will play a key role in delivering a safe and secure Commonwealth Games next summer.
“We recognise and value the important role that private security suppliers have to play and we have created an opportunity for a wide range of security providers to contribute to delivering a safe and enjoyable Games experience for athletes, officials and spectators.
“Glasgow 2014, Games Partners, Skills Development Scotland and colleges across Scotland are involved in providing up to 3000 people with the qualification to enable them to access job opportunities in the security industry, which is a positive outcome for the individuals and for Scotland.”
Companies invited to sign up to the framework are:

Private Contract Security
Allander Group
Controlled Event Solutions
Corps of Commissionaires Management Limited
Kingdom Security Limited
Securigroup Services Limited
Servoca Plc
Show and Event Security Limited
Showsec International
Sword Event Guard Limited
The Protector Group
Total Security Services
Vigilant Security
Wilson James

Contract Safety Stewarding
AP Security (APS) Limited
Garrion Security Services Limited
G4S Secure Solutions (UK) Limited
Norse Commercial Services Limited
Protectevent
The Protector Group
SecuriGroup Services Limited
Show and Event Security Limited
Showsec International
Stadium Traffic Management Limited
Sword Event Guard Limited

Security personnel are in place to protect and safety stewards are in place to maintain spectator safety. Both operate under separate legislative requirements which require personnel undertaking the tasks to be suitably trained and qualified.

Notes to Editors

1. The Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving 70 teams of athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years. Glasgow 2014 will be the XX Commonwealth Games and will be held from 23 July to 3 August. It will feature 17 sports in 11 days of competition with 261 medal events on show. The Games will play host to 4500 athletes and sell 1,000,000 tickets with the event aided by an army of 15,000 volunteers. Glasgow 2014 Ltd is the official name for the Organising Committee tasked with delivering the Games in partnership with the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and Commonwealth Games Scotland.

2. Police Scotland and the Chief Constable are responsible for the security and safety operation for which the budget is £90million.

3. Security and Safety Stewarding:

Security:
In-venue security personnel protect material assets, spectators and accredited personnel. This includes providing a physical presence carrying out access control, patrol or surveillance, as to deter or otherwise discourage activity that could be deemed dishonest, unlawful or contrary to the conditions that the OC has in place at its venues.

Safety Stewarding:
Safety stewarding at sporting events and sports venues within the United Kingdom is regulated by numerous statutory instruments, legislation and guidance. They provide venues that are designed or used for sporting events with the framework to comply with licensing conditions designed to ensure the safety of spectators and workers. The primary sources of guidance for safety (The Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds (5th edition) stipulates the use of qualified, competent and well managed stewards to facilitate the safe movement of spectators in and out of venues. The OC has responsibility for the management of spectator safety operations at all official OC operated G2014 Sites and Venues and will contract safety stewarding providers to meet licensing obligations.

4. The Scot Gap Employability and Skills initiative funded by Skills Development Scotland and Scottish Funding Council and delivered by 13 Scottish Colleges is creating training and work opportunities for up to 3,000 new recruits to the security industry. Operational contracts awarded to private security firms will be inclusive of a ‘Community Benefit’ clause that can create job opportunities for college trainees who successfully complete Scot Gap.

5. Glasgow 2014’s official partner level sponsors are Longines, SSE, Virgin Media, BP, Emirates and Ford. For more information on Glasgow 2014’s full sponsor family, please visit http://www.glasgow2014.com/games/our-sponsors

6. Glasgow 2014, the Commonwealth Games Federation and UNICEF are working together in an exciting partnership that will transform the lives of children in Scotland and throughout the Commonwealth. Using the power of sport and culture this unique partnership aims to inspire, enable and empower the children of the Commonwealth to be the best they can be.