Salisbury Cathedral in Wiltshire is one of the UK’s most recognisable landmarks. Set within a 80-acre walled close and housing one of only four remaining copies of the 1215 Magna Carta, the cathedral is open to the general public every day of the year and visited by more than 260,000 people annually.
The cathedral first approached Venture in 2017 when looking for professional help in tackling antisocial behaviour within the cathedral’s grounds, with additional security services being added over time. Another provider had been providing the service but were unable to deliver the level of service required by the cathedral.
Venture has responsibility for locking up the site every evening. Additionally, Venture’s security operatives carry out daily patrols of the cathedral site on foot, between the busier months of June and November. These operatives help to tackle any antisocial behaviour, while their presence offers reassurance to staff, visitors and local residents alike. Several incidents involving members of the public coming into the cathedral and acting aggressively towards staff and other visitors, led the cathedral to increase its security provision further, with the addition of a static guard.
Venture’s services and the foot patrols have been very effective in tackling issues such as drug and alcohol use in the grounds, aggressive behaviour and littering. They have managed to combine patrolling with presenting a friendly and welcoming presence.
“Bolstering our security with the addition of a full-time static guard has proven equally as effective, allowing us to defuse any potentially threatening situations quickly, before the situation escalates.
Tony Wheeler, Cathedral Close Manager
