Is it a security risk for tickets not to be checked?

[Shimmyshine193]

I went to a theatre show at the weekend, it was a tribute show with various acts, aimed at pre teens.

The staff did a bag check when we arrived but no one checked our tickets.

Is this a security risk? I’m just thinking of emailing the venue about it if it is.

Why do you think it would be a risk?

That’s what I’m asking.

It’s really not. People sell, swap, refund and trade tickets and often don’t have any details that tie the tickets to them personally - unless it’s a big event with a high resale value.

The concert was in the Liverpool area. I just found it odd that they didn’t check tickets, anyone could have just walked into the venue off the street. Maybe I’m over thinking it after recent events.

I think it is a security risk, yes. Not good practice.

Was it seated or standing?

absolute risk if standing. If you get there and someone sat in your seat no so much

But if bags were checked why would it make any difference if they walked in off the street? Tickets being checked or not is more of a potential H&S risk of overcrowding than a security risk, if someone was planning to do something I don’t see why them having their ticket checked might stop them?

Anyone could buy a ticket though? It's not like buying a ticket somehow screens out bad people. There is no "you've been naughty you can't buy tickets" list.

No but it would take some serious pre planning to buy a ticket a year in advance in order to gain access to a venue rather than just do it on a whim.

Anyone could have bought a ticket if they wanted access to the theatre with bad intentions too. I don’t see the risk at all, if bags were checked that would apply to all.

It was both really, technically seated but within 10 mins all the girls were up dancing in the isles and in their seats.

Yes, I agree this is really weird and seems very dangerous. Venues have a maximum capacity in terms of fire and crowd risk assessment. Not to mention queues for toilets etc

Given that theres no restrictions on who could buy tickets - no.

Well they’d have been stopped/challenged at the venue door rather than being allowed to walk straight into the theatre.

If terrorists can learn how to fly planes, rent vehicles, build bombs, infiltrate the NHS by getting jobs as nurses, I think they can buy concert tickets. Some of the attacks and failed attempts have taken years to plan.

You'd expect a venue to check tickets to make sure everyone has paid. And also check bags for security.

If someone is going to commit an act a ticket check won't stop them. The Manchester bomber waited until the crowd were coming out. A knife attack could do the same. Why a concert? Could easily be a crowded supermarket. Get a trolley, go in and no one ever checks you.

I’m not talking about a serious terrorist thread, I’m talking about a copy cat nut job with a knife, seeing a concert full of little girls being able to walk straight in off the street without challenge. I just thought a ticket check is such a quick and simple step and baring in mind the close proximity to the Southport attacks, it felt odd not to have one. I’ve never been to a single event that hasn’t checked tickets .

But a ticket check absolutely would stop them. You haven’t got a ticket, you can’t get in.

So they checked bags but nobody had to show their tickets?

Yes.

But someone could buy a ticket 2 days in advance and still commit that sort of crime. A ticket check won’t do anything to stop it.

But it would stop someone doing it on a whim surely?!! Why are any tickets checked anywhere then? It’s not all about money and numbers, there has to be a safety element to it as well.

I’ve gone ahead and contacted the venue. I appreciate many posters here don’t think it’s a safety issue but my gut feeling is that tickets should always be checked, particularly where an event aimed at children is concerned, add on top of that the publics feeling post Southport in this area and it seems ridiculous to me that it was missed.

The Southport attack wasn’t a whim though. These things rarely are. Are you going to avoid children’s films at the cinema? Trips to kids restaurants or play parks? Please don’t live your life like this. That’s how these people win.

What are you talking about? Where have I said I’m going to avoid doing ANYTHING?

Wow, calm down. Do whatever you like, but don’t let fear and ‘what if’ rule your life