Quality Service At the Front Line!

I was involved in the organisation of Armed Forces Day Woolwich on Barrack Field Woolwich a few days ago.  This is a joint collaboration between the military and the local community. The military organised a military village and the procession from Woolwich Town Centre to Barrack Field. I had the responsibility of heading up all the other activities, including organising the security for potentially over 10,000 visitors.

At the 2024 Armed Forces Day, in which I had also been involved, the security issues had not been straightforward, either in the run-up to AFD or on the day itself. I was determined that 2025 should be different, and indeed it was.

CC Events had been tasked with organising this year’s event, and it was Christopher Molnar from that firm who introduced Pius and his team from LifeForce Security.

Their professionalism was apparent from the start. Pius attended the SAG meetings (Safety Action Group meetings) at which the security aspects of the Day were among the principal issues to be considered by the police and the Council. He was able to deal with any questions in a courteous and effective manner, with the result that no security concerns were flagged up in the run-up to June 28th.

On the day itself, the security aspect could not have been better handled. Representatives of Life Force Security manned the entry points to Barrack Field and carried out the necessary searches in a polite and friendly way. Other members of the team circulated within Barrack Field itself, ready, willing and able to respond if there was any problem. In the event about 11,500 people were on Barrack Field during the course of the day and Pius was on duty throughout as a highly competent controller of his team. But he also seemed to enjoy the event, and I found his good humour and relaxed manner both reassuring and encouraging.

There was no problem, and a great day out was enjoyed by a large crowd. In some considerable measure, that was due to the skill of the Life Force Security Team. I would hope that they would become involved in AFD 2026, and I would unhesitatingly recommend the firm to others who are organising major events.

Tim Barnes KC, MBE, co-organiser of Armed Forces Day, Woolwich 2025