Clitheroe hosts numerous events such as the Beat-Herder Festival, the Clitheroe Food Festival, and the Ribble Valley Jazz & Blues Festival. These events cover thousands of visitors, benefiting the local trade, particularly pubs, local shops, and hotels. 

However, with larger crowds, busier streets, and full venues, risks naturally increase. Burglary, vandalism, and theft are particular concerns for businesses within the festival area. 

Shops may be vulnerable after hours; pubs may be subject to alcohol-fueled disorder; food and drink vendors have cash that they must protect; and numerous other risks to their business exist. 

Police try their best, but resources are stretched to the limits. That is why business security officers Clitheroe are essential. They safeguard property, employees, and visitors, ensuring events are safe and businesses can focus on serving their clients.

Rising Crime Trends in Clitheroe

According to the CrimeRate report, Clitheroe is 40% below the Lancashire average rate. Nonetheless, shoplifting has increased by 17% over the past three years, and “other theft” offences surged in mid-2024.

Burglary and car crime have declined significantly, but break-ins and car thefts remain a concern for residents.

Events put further pressure on the town, with theft, vandalism, and disorder being major threats to businesses.

The Role of Business Security Officers Clitheroe

A business security officer is not merely someone wearing a uniform. They are experts who have undergone highly specialised training. They are usually licensed by the Security Industry Authority (SIA). This means they have undergone rigorous checks and training.

Some of their responsibilities during a festival are:

• Customer Service: They are usually the first person a guest will see. They can provide directions, offer support, and create a sense of welcome and safety.
• Regular Patrols: They repeat movements around a property. This may be located within a shop, a market stall compound, or a car park. Such observable patrols are a strong deterrent to offenders.
• Emergency Response: They are first-aid trained and fire safety trained. In an emergency, they are your primary point of contact. They know how to call emergency services and ensure situations are managed effectively and calmly.
• Access Controls: They regulate who is allowed to enter and exit. For a festival vendor, it could be checking passes for staff entry. For other event sites along the route, it is about not letting someone trespass.
• Crowd Management: They help to manage lines and ensure entrances/exits are clear of obstacles. They ensure foot traffic flows and safety is intact.

What is Event Security?

Event security in Clitheroe is designed to prevent and mitigate risks associated with public events. Event security differs from regular workplace security. While general security teams handle day-to-day operations, manned guarding security services at events deal with:

• Conflict De-escalation: Managing alcohol-related conflict before it escalates.
• Crowd Management: Guiding individuals safely along streets, stalls, and venues.
• Asset Protection: Securing cash handling areas and high-value merchandise.

A nearby shop or pub close to Clitheroe Castle requires these additional layers on festival weekends. Without them, property and staff are left vulnerable.

How Festival Security Protects Clitheroe’s Key Business Sectors

Clitheroe Food Festival, Beat-Herder Festival, and Ribble Valley Jazz & Blues Festival attract distinct crowds to the town. Families attend food markets, music enthusiasts congregate in fields, and jazz enthusiasts pack local venues. As such, events increase Clitheroe’s economy but also mean busy streets, overnight trading, and an added risk of theft or disorder for businesses.

To safeguard these businesses on festival weekends, Clitheroe festival security employs best practices:

• Pre-Event Risk Assessments: Before the Clitheroe Food Festival, cops check side streets and loading bays around the market square to reduce potential for theft.
• SIA Approved Manned Guarding: At Beat-Herder, trained staff control late-night crowds and diffuse alcohol-fueled altercations.
• Coordination with Police & Council: To execute licensing stipulations and safety regulations, manned guarding teams are integrated with the Lancashire Police and Ribble Valley Council. 

With the help of these solutions, professionally manned guarding services in Clitheroe assure that festivals are secure, enjoyable, and lucrative for businesses at their centre.

Rising Threats During Festivals in Clitheroe

Due to large crowds, there are opportunities for vandalism, pickpockets, theft, and other forms of criminal offences. Late-night alcohol sales frequently cause unrest. Shops and pubs left open for longer hours are more vulnerable to burglary. Food vendors handling cash also face greater risk.

Several factors make crime more likely:

• Population surge: Police resources struggle to cover every hotspot.
• Cash handling: More transactions attract opportunistic thieves.
• Distracted owners: Many businesses prioritise customer satisfaction over security.
• Extended hours: Longer opening times increase exposure.
• Alcohol availability: Licensed events raise the risk of fights and antisocial behaviour.

Why Organisations Need Manned Guarding at Festivals

Businesses benefit in several ways from professional manned guarding services:

1. Protecting Assets – From stockrooms to pop-up food stalls, goods are secured against theft.
2. Safeguarding Staff – Workers feel supported with trained officers nearby.
3. Maintaining Reputation – A safe experience keeps customers returning year after year.
4. Round-the-Clock Cover – With 24/7 security guarding services, businesses are shielded even after trading hours.

The vendors at the Clitheroe Food Festival required security coverage for both day and night shifts. The presence of a large number of attendees and the reliance on stalls to lock up overnight create targets for opportunist theft. To deter crime and respond effectively, officers monitor situations as needed.  

Why Choose the Right Security Provider?

Not all providers offer the same quality. When choosing, Clitheroe businesses should look for:

• SIA Approved Manned Guarding: A sign of trusted professionalism.
• Festival Experience: Not every provider understands the challenges of open-air events.
• Tailored Security Services: From pubs to logistics firms, each site needs a unique plan.
• 24/7 Support: Event security in Clitheroe continues long after the festivities end.

Providers offering a flexible security guarding service can adjust their strategies as crowd sizes increase or threats evolve.

Final Thoughts

Festivals in Clitheroe can create a time of fun and opportunity, waking the town and putting money into the local economy. Business leaders must use this atmosphere of excitement and invest in professional security to protect their profits, staff, and reputations.

Working with expert business security officers Clitheroe keeps your business safe during the festival. It also strengthens your operations. Safety and order are the keys to a successful event.

Ensure your business is secure when it matters most in Clitheroe. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are companies covered by Business Security Officers in Clitheroe at night during festival events?

Yes. Numerous service providers provide round-the-clock security guarding, which may keep companies safe even after the crowds have thinned out.

2. What security services can businesses utilise at festivals in Clitheroe? 

The range of security services includes regular patrols, access and entry controls, CCTV monitoring, and an additional professional manned guarding service. 

3. Why can’t the police mitigate all festival risks, not just security? 

During festivals, the population increase dilutes the available officers. A security company provides Clitheroe festival security, assisting during events and helping keep both businesses and festivals safe.