How are we keeping you safe?
The City of London is committed to keeping its visitors safe.
Our trained security stewards and front of house team will welcome you and be on hand across our sites throughout to ensure a safe and enjoyable event for all.
We work closely with the City of London Police and emergency services to ensure our security procedures are up to date and following best practice. We also engage with the City of London Police on Project Servator and continuously focus on delivering safe and secure environments for our events.
CCTV operates throughout the City of London to assist in the prevention and detection of crime, to aid public safety, and assist with management of the public highway.
What can you do to help keep everyone safe?
We remind all visitors that you have an important role to play by reporting anything that doesn't feel right, for example, an unattended item or someone acting suspiciously.
If you see anything concerning, please tell a member of our staff who are positioned at the performance and Marketplace sites. We will always take your concerns seriously.
Please cooperate fully with all security checks and support these vital members of our team as they carry out important work to keep us all safe.
Find out more about #BeSafeBeSound.
Guildhall Security and Safety
The City of London Guildhall is protected by security staff who work around the clock. Our staff are highly trained and work in partnership with the City of London Police and Metropolitan Police Service. We also liaise with other emergency services, including the London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade. The City of London Corporation is committed to ensuring that all guests and visitors are safe and secure.
How do we keep our guests and visitors safe?
At the Guildhall, we use a range of security measures to ensure the safety of our guests, visitors, staff, and contractors. These measures are proportionate, allowing you to enjoy the Guildhall safely.
Our security measures and practices:
24/7 security on site, with continuous internal and external patrols and monitored CCTV.
Security staff stationed at all entry and exit points.
Search and screening operations for all guests and visitors, including bag and person searches using detection equipment.
Regular searches of event spaces.
Daily collaboration with local police and other security officers to exchange information and intelligence.
Liaising with partners, conducting environmental scanning, and using social media and other sources to stay informed about current trends.
Regular internal meetings with our Protect Security Advisory Board.
Risk assessments for all events and emergency planning to respond to various threats and incidents.
We operate a bag search policy. All bags belonging to visitors are subject to search by our trained staff. These checks are usually quick, and we appreciate your patience. To help, please bring minimal possessions when you visit.
Our cloakrooms in the Art Gallery, or if attending an event in the Guildhall, are available but have limited space. Please avoid bringing large bags, luggage, or long umbrellas, as these cannot be taken into our venues. Prams, pushchairs and buggies are welcome.
If you have large bags or suitcases, you will need to leave them in the cloakroom. Please allow additional time for security checks if you bring a bag. Remember to keep an eye on your belongings and do not leave any bags unattended.
Our training and development
Our dedicated and committed security staff are crucial to keeping the Guildhall safe. The security and visitor service team are trained and regularly briefed on safety and security issues.
Staff receive internal and external training, including from police and Counter Terrorism Security Advisors, as well as the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO). We also receive training and current threat information from the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA).
Customer-facing staff and security officers are trained in protective security, counter-terrorism, and emergency response procedures. Daily briefings provide up-to-date security information. All staff are trained in fire evacuation procedures using 24/7 monitored equipment, as well as other emergency evacuation and invacuation procedures.
Working in partnership with others
We have an excellent relationship with the City of London Police, including a Police Counter Terrorism Security Officer and our Project Servator. They frequently visit us, including ad-hoc uniformed patrols inside and outside the Guildhall .
As a member of the Security Advisory Group, we receive guidance from a local senior police officer and participate in an information exchange with police and local businesses.
We are also key members of:
The City of London Crime Prevention Association
The Cross-Sector Safety and Security Communications Safer City Partnership
Everbridge – a system that alerts us to potential emergencies and threats.
Stay alert
Please keep your belongings with you at all times. You can help us by informing any of our staff if you see or hear anything unusual. By playing your part, you help keep everyone visiting the Guildhall safe. You won't be wasting anyone's time.
If you would like to contact us after your visit with any security concerns, please email us. For immediate assistance from emergency services, please call 999.
