Organising safe and successful community events
It is a fundamental right in the UK for people to be able to express themselves and gather together in public, as long as the activity is peaceful.
Large public gatherings can cause disruption to the road network and the lives of communities. If you're organising a local event or celebration, it's vital that you work with the authorities to keep it safe and successful. It's also important that you don't unduly disrupt the lives of those not taking part.
Holding a public event
A public event is defined as a planned public occasion. It normally involves more than just a few members of the same family or friends using a public space for recreation or socialising.
Where there is an element of organisation, or where the activity is advertised to a wider audience (even by word of mouth), it could constitute a public event requiring notification.
In order to hold a public event safely and legally, you may need some or all of the following:
- local authority (the council) permission to use parks and open spaces
- local authority permission to close or disrupt public roads - a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO)
- public liability insurance
- stewards
- a health and safety risk assessment
You may also need licences for activities, such as:
- serving alcohol
- music performances
- retail stalls
- charity collections
There is no obligation to tell the police about planned static events. In order for us to help you hold one safely, we would encourage you to inform us online. We will then pass this information on to the local policing team.
Holding a public procession
A procession is defined as 'two or more people moving together for a common purpose'. Under section 11 of the Public Order Act 1986, you must notify the police at least six clear days prior to a procession taking place for one of the following reasons:
- to demonstrate support or opposition to the views or actions of others
- to publicise a cause or campaign
- to mark or commemorate an event
This includes religious processions.
Failure to comply with this requirement may constitute an offence for which the organisers can be fined.
If the procession takes place on the road or starts or finishes in a park or open space, the council will also need to be notified.
If things go wrong
While the majority of events and processions pass-off without incident, sadly sometimes things do go wrong.
In the event of people being injured at an organised event, the authorities will investigate to examine how and why the injuries happened and whether the organisers had taken the necessary steps to hold a safe event.
Should it be found that the injuries could have been prevented had the correct procedures been in place, or where there had been a blatant disregard for the safety of attendees, organisers could be prosecuted under Health and Safety legislation.
For unauthorised events or processions on the public highway, the police may act against organisers who fail to notify under s.11 of the Public Order Act 1986. They may also arrest and prosecute people unlawfully obstructing the highway under section 137 of Highways Act 1980.
Who to contact
We would always prefer that people gather and celebrate safely by attending larger, properly organised events wherever possible. However, we want to work with communities so that smaller events can also pass peacefully and with the minimum disruption to the wider community.
- Tell us about an upcoming event
- Contact Leicester City Council
- Contact Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service
More information on the best way to organise events is available from The Purple Guide.