Police Planning
(updated 31st August 2007)
Keywords: simulating people, simulating crowds, simulating crowd dynamics, workshops
Crowd Dynamics Limited have assisted in a number of planning exercise around the world. We have assisted in the planning and crowd dynamics analysis for the Lancaster Constabulary - Operation Palisade and with Operation Pegasus for the Bournemouth Labour Party Conference (Dorset Police) this year (2003).
“Operation Palisade” Labour Party Conference Blackpool 2002
Following the full debrief process for Operation Palisade, it became quite apparent that the support you gave to planning the Public Order element of the operation opened new dimensions for the planning team.
Clearly the science developed by you and your colleagues has great potential in any number of scenarios and by including your findings and recommendations in the final plan, there was a great feeling of confidence that the provision of staffing levels and selection of the March Route were the safest and most economical possible.
I appreciate the priority you gave the project in your schedule and the presentation you gave to the Constabulary’s needs. I would like to offer my sincere thanks for your assistance and assure you of Support in the future. We have already passes on your details to our colleagues in Dorset, who will be planning the Labour Conference next year. Superintendent Mark Bartlett, Operations Planning, Lancashire Constabulary Headquarters. (Nov 2002)
"Operation Pegasus" Dorset Police, Labour Party Conference 2003"Thank you very much for your assistance with all the route and safety issues. As an experienced team I believe that we can only benefit from your product." PS 1851 Des Connor, Public Order Planner, 13 October 2003
For these exercise we used computer simulation coupled with a site survey. The modelling took a few days to complete and the presentation materials were all in power point - allowing the police to integrate our material with their safety and evacuation planning. We refer to this process as "crowd simulation".
Recent projects
Grampian Police - Aberdeen Hogmanay 2006/7
Met. Police - London New Year's Eve Celebrations (Fireworks)