Address Showsec failings identified in Volume 1
Manchester Arena Inquiry · Manchester Arena Inquiry: Volume 1: Security for the Arena · Issued 17 June 2021 · Addressed to: ShowSec
Government responseUK Government: Accepted (Nov 2025)
DeliveryCabinet Office says completed (Feb 2026)
Recommendation, verbatim from the inquiry
●Inquiry recommendation
Improvements, to the extent that they have not already been made, should be made by Showsec to address the failings identified in Volume 1. Specific consideration should be given to how to address my concerns in relation to complacency.
Manchester Arena Inquiry, Manchester Arena Inquiry: Volume 1: Security for the Arena · 17 Jun 2021 Source PDF →
Published evidence summary
AI-generated evidence summary
The Cabinet Office reported in February 2026 that work on the recommendation was completed, stating that Showsec requires all staff to complete ACT Security training, annual refresher courses, and pre-event counter-terrorism briefings (Cabinet Office, Feb 2026). It added that new staff at Manchester Arena must undergo an in-person venue familiarisation session before their first shift (Cabinet Office, Feb 2026). To address complacency, the department stated that the company introduced a system asking staff on each shift whether they observed hostile reconnaissance, adopted digital logging at the arena, and expanded supervisor training (Cabinet Office, Feb 2026).
Sources
AI-generated summary of the record on this page, checked by a second model and automatic checks, 26 Sep 2026.
Government response
●UK Government · Accepted · 14 Nov 2025
Accepted in full
Response document: Manchester Arena Inquiry recommendations (GOV.UK page linking to the Manchester Arena Inquiry Recommendations Dashboard)
Delivery
●Cabinet Office says completed · 27 Feb 2026
All Showsec staff must now undertake ACT (Action Counters Terrorism) Security training before working for Showsec, and must undergo annual refresher training. They must also undertake e-learning modules, and face to face training. Specifically on the Manchester Arena, new members of Showsec staff undertaking their first shift at the Arena must undertake an in-person venue familiarisation session. Showsec has engaged, and will continue to engage going forward, in exercising with emergency services, with SMG at a range of venues throughout the UK. Showsec also continue to engage with emergency services via a range of forums. Showsec staff all attend a briefing, cascaded from the Head of Security, before each event, which covers counter-terrorism and reporting procedures. To address the Chair's concerns regarding complacency, Showsec have implemented a proactive system whereby staff and supervisors are asked at each shift whether they observed any hostile reconnaissance. At the Manchester Arena, Showsec make use of SMG's digital system to log information on any suspicious individuals. Showsec has focused its attention on ensuring that its training is delivered to staff in an optimal and effective manner and, arguably even more importantly, that it is understood and retained. Showsec has also invested heavily in providing training in regards to risk assessments, including those relating to Counter Terrorism. Showsec has improved its cooperation with the Police and ASM Global (formerly SMG), Showsec is involved with CTSA engagement, police briefings and sharing of relevant information as well as further cooperation with ASM. In addressing the risk of complacency Showsec has committed itself to ensuring that there are measures, policies and procedures in place at Showsec to encourage staff to remain live to the ongoing threat presented by terrorism at venues/events. This includes the systems for reporting and escalating hostile reconnaissance, improved supervisor training and refresher trainings.
Earlier statements on delivery (0)
●Cabinet Office · 14 Nov 2025
All Showsec staff must now undertake ACT (Action Counters Terrorism) Security training before working for Showsec, and must undergo annual refresher training. They must also undertake e-learning modules, and face to face training. Specifically on the Manchester Arena, new members of Showsec staff undertaking their first shift at the Arena must undertake an in-person venue familiarisation session. Showsec has engaged, and will continue to engage going forward, in exercising with emergency services, with SMG at a range of venues throughout the UK. Showsec also continue to engage with emergency services via a range of forums. Showsec staff all attend a briefing, cascaded from the Head of Security, before each event, which covers counter-terrorism and reporting procedures. To address the Chair's concerns regarding complacency, Showsec have implemented a proactive system whereby staff and supervisors are asked at each shift whether they observed any hostile reconnaissance. At the Manchester Arena, Showsec make use of SMG's digital system to log information on any suspicious individuals. Showsec has focused its attention on ensuring that its training is delivered to staff in an optimal and effective manner and, arguably even more importantly, that it is understood and retained. Showsec has also invested heavily in providing training in regards to risk assessments, including those relating to Counter Terrorism. Showsec has improved its cooperation with the Police and ASM Global (formerly SMG), Showsec is involved with CTSA engagement, police briefings and sharing of relevant information as well as further cooperation with ASM. In addressing the risk of complacency Showsec has committed itself to ensuring that there are measures, policies and procedures in place at Showsec to encourage staff to remain live to the ongoing threat presented by terrorism at venues/events. This includes the systems for reporting and escalating hostile reconnaissance, improved supervisor training and refresher trainings.
From: Manchester Arena Inquiry Recommendations Dashboard, original version (data file)
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