Crowded Places Assessments
Understanding Risks in Crowded Places
Crowded places bring people together, but they also need careful security planning. A Crowded Places Assessment is a detailed evaluation of a location to identify potential security risks and vulnerabilities associated with large gatherings of people.
It helps owners and operators understand key security issues for crowded places and ensures that effective protective measures are in place to reduce the likelihood of harm.
What is Crowded Places Assessment
A Crowded Places Assessment covers both permanent venues and temporary event-based locations. They aim to balance safety with public access, ensuring security measures are proportionate, practical, and aligned with Australia’s Strategy for Protecting Crowded Places from Terrorism.
Conducting an assessment also demonstrates that a site operator is meeting their legal and moral Duty of Care, protecting staff, visitors, and the wider community while maintaining the usability and enjoyment of the space.
What We Assess?
Site Layout and Accessibility
- Entry and exit points
- Pedestrian
- Vehicle flows
- High-traffic areas
Existing Security Measures
- CCTV
- Alarms
- Barriers and access control
- Patrolling
Staff Readiness
- Training
- Emergency procedures
- Incident response capabilities
Threat Profiles
- Weapon attacks
- IEDs
- Chemical attacks
- Hostile vehicles
- Hostile reconnaissance
Emergency Preparedness
- Evacuation plans
- First aid access
- Communication protocols
- Continuity plans
Information Security
- Website
- Social media
- Site maps and floor plans
- Security protocols
Key Security Issues for Crowded Places
Security issues for crowded places vary depending on location, use, and crowd behaviour. However, there are several key security issues for crowded places that commonly arise across Australian high-traffic environments.
Weapon
Attacks
- Use of low-cost, easily accessible weapons targeting crowds
- Attacks aim to cause maximum harm quickly, often without negotiation
Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)
- PBIED: Person-borne (worn or carried by a person)
- VBIED: Vehicle-borne (hidden inside a car or truck)
- Postal or Baggage: Sent through the mail or left unattended in bags
Chemical Weapon
Attacks
- Use of toxic chemicals to harm people
- Symptoms may not be immediately obvious
- Effects include nausea, breathing difficulties and collapse
Hostile Reconnaissance
- Observation or rehearsal by people with hostile intent
- May involve photographing staff, security features, or testing access points
Hostile Vehicle Attacks
- Vehicles used to injure people or cause disruption
- Can exploit gaps in access control, barriers, or site layout
Implement a Layered Security Approach
Deter
Lighting, clear sightlines and active use of space to discourage hostile behaviour.
Detect
Identifying blind spots in car parks, service corridors, or alcoves where hostile reconnaissance could occur undetected.
Delay
Designing physical barriers (like HVM planters or street furniture) and procedural responses that give first responders the time they need to intervene.
Respond
Developing and testing security response capabilities incorporating people, process and technology.
Who Needs a Crowded Places Assessment?
Crowded places assessments are commonly prepared for:
Permanent Venues
- Retail and Commerce: Shopping centres, department stores, and busy high street pedestrian malls.
- Hospitality: Large pubs, RSL clubs, hotels and nightclubs
- Health and Education: University campuses, major hospitals and research centres
- Transport: Train stations, bus interchanges and airport terminals
- Civic and Culture: Museums, galleries, libraries and places of worship
Event-Based Locations
- Sports and Entertainment: Stadiums, racecourses and outdoor amphitheatres
- Festivals: Music festivals, agricultural shows and food and wine fairs
- One-off Events: Large protest marches, community Christmas carols, or New Year’s Eve vantage points
Institutional and Sacred Sites
- Symbolic: Landmarks, government buildings, or sites of historical significance
- High-Profile: Venues hosting international dignitaries, major political figures, or global media events
- Places of Worship: Churches, Synagogues, Mosques
Frequently Asked Questions
A crowded place is any location or event characterised by the regular or predictable gathering of large numbers of people. These environments vary in scale and can include public transport hubs, shopping precincts, sports stadiums, places of worship, and civic spaces.
Australia uses the National Terrorism Threat Advisory System: Not Expected, Possible, Probable, Expected and Certain. Assessments help align your security measures with these levels.
Our strategy uses Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) to build security into the site layout. This includes natural surveillance, clear sightlines, and smart landscaping to deter threats while keeping the space welcoming and safe.
If you operate a venue where large groups gather, Australian authorities and insurers increasingly require these assessments to prove you have met your ‘Duty of Care’ and are aligned with the National Strategy for Protecting Crowded Places.
No. Using CPTED principles, we prioritise hidden security such as reinforced planters, street furniture, and architectural setbacks that protect the crowd without compromising the visual appeal or accessibility of your venue.
Site inspections usually take several hours to several days depending on the scale and complexity of the site. Reports are typically delivered within 10–20 business days, depending on complexity.
Get answers to all your questions and specialist requirements for your CPTED assessment reports
info@cpted.com.au
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(02) 9191 9771
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