Security (on Location)

Foreseeable violent situations should be discussed with your Line Manager, where violence is predictable; you can refuse to take part in the production.

What Can Go Wrong?

• Injury from being punched or pushed to the ground or attacked with weapons
• Threatening or abusive words or behaviour may cause fear or anxiety
• Delayed retribution from filming violence /crime.
• Theft of personal items or work equipment.

Legal/BBC Requirements

• There are no specific legal requirements to draw to your attention; you must still apply the control measures that are relevant to your activity.

Control Measures

Management and Planning

• Research and consider potential hazards of the production in context of location and local issues.
• Be aware of and discuss the local security issues with whole team including attitude to the BBC, hostility to staff and general street crime levels.
• People covering events where civil disturbance or riots are predicted should be properly trained and experienced.
• If safety issues are identified, agree a fall back plan with the team including what to do in an emergency, safe place to retreat to (broadcast compound) and who to contact e.g. Production Editor or producer.
• Plan ahead on how to deal with the situation and how to get away if necessary.
• Talk about the situation and threats with the team and escalate if needed.
• People should not be sent to foreseeably violent or personal safety situations on their own.
• Consider need for a second person if crime is a serious consideration – remember you can ask BBC experts for advice.
• Arrange a security back-watcher / second person if required (see Engaging Personal Security Agents in Useful Documents)
• Refer to the BBC - Editorial Guidelines for advice in response potential retribution for filming
• All requests for programme material in connection with legal proceedings must be referred to Programme Legal Advice and Editorial Policy, prior to disclosure.

On the Ground

• Keep a low profile
• Display BBC logo unless there is a good reason not to e.g. if this raises the personal risk.
• Agree a fall back plan with the team.
• Ensure deployers are kept up to date with local security and safety risks so that changes to the story can be made if needed.
• Stay alert to changes on location and be prepared to change your plans to avoid trouble.
• Ensure the production is kept up to date with local security & safety risks.
• Avoid taking unnecessary valuables, sensitive documents and equipment into the field.
• If threatened by criminals – hand over the BBC kit. People are more important than property.
• Withdraw to a safe area if faced with aggression or if weapons appear.
• Be aware of response times and telephone numbers for emergency services and first aid.
• Be sensitive to the mood and back off if violence is likely.
• Use occupational health and employee assistance contacts.

Division Specific Issues

Sport

• Sport production is generally planned and safe. Despite this, there is always a risk that because of the area the production is located or spectators become aggressive, personal safety can be compromised.
• Although aggression at some events is likely (e.g. known team rivalry) because it is not always possible to predict – personal safety should be considered for every production. 

FAQs/Did You Know?

• None to report