Policing Eurovision by Smith, Michael; Phythian, Rebecca;

Short description:

Using field observations, policy documents, interviews and surveys, this book offers a rare behind-the-scenes account of successful multi-agency working at a major event – specifically, how Liverpool planned and delivered the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, one of the world’s most high-profile live events.

Long description:

This book offers a rare behind-the-scenes account of successful multi-agency working at a major event – specifically, how Liverpool planned and delivered the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, one of the world’s most high-profile live events. With 37 competing nations and more than 12,000 accredited staff, Eurovision represented the largest and most complex multi-agency operation the city had ever undertaken. Based on five months of exceptional access to planning meetings and nine days of live events, the book reveals how organisations including Culture Liverpool, the BBC, the police, emergency services and event partners worked together to manage a fast-moving operation during a period marked by global security concerns.

Using field observations, policy documents, interviews and surveys, the authors show how agencies coordinated to address potential challenges such as crowd safety, cyber threats and counter terrorism risks. The book highlights the relationships, leadership approaches and information sharing practices that shaped Liverpool’s internationally recognised success in hosting major events. It also offers candid insights into moments of pressure, collaboration and critical decision-making, providing practical lessons for anyone involved in planning or managing large-scale operations.

By opening a normally closed world, the book presents a unique multi-perspective view of how Eurovision was ‘policed’, the success behind the ‘Liverpool approach’, and what its story reveals about effective partnership working today.

This book will therefore be of interest to practitioners, policymakers and academics and students across policing, public safety, event management and governance.

The Open Access version of this book, available at www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) 4.0 International license.

"An outstanding exploration of what true collaboration can achieve! This book captures the energy, complexity, and success of delivering Eurovision 2023 safely and brilliantly. A testament to teamwork, resilience and innovation, essential reading for anyone shaping major events."
Nigel Brown, Head of Corporate Security and Organisational Resilience, BBC

"Policing Eurovision offers a clear and insightful analysis of multi-agency collaboration in the policing of major events. Using the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, hosted in Liverpool, UK, as a case study, the book combines theoretical insight with rich empirical detail, offering valuable academic and practical insights into planning, information sharing, leadership and threat management."
Ed Maguire, Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Arizona State University

"There are many evaluations and studies of Eurovision in Liverpool, but I am delighted with the work of Michael Smith and Rebecca Phythian, because events don't just happen through one organisation, it takes real partnership and commitment from other agencies and Merseyside police have been at the forefront of this for the last 20 years. "
Claire McColgan, CBE, Director, Culture Liverpool and Associate Director Liverpool City Region

"The Eurovision Song Contest, held in May 2023 and hosted by the Liverpool City Region on behalf of Ukraine, served as a significant platform to highlight both the outstanding qualities of our region and the rich heritage, history, musical traditions, culture, and diversity of Ukraine. The two-week EuroFestival exemplified the effectiveness of collaborative partnership working among key agencies at regional, national, and international levels. Events of this scale offer unique opportunities for experiential reflection and this publication facilitates such learning by providing critical insights and analysis. "
Serena Kennedy KPM DL, Former Chief Constable of Merseyside Police

"Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool, hosted on behalf of Ukraine, set a new benchmark through a safe, inclusive, city-wide cultural programme alongside a world-class broadcast. Truly ‘United by Music,’ this book captures how diverse local and new partners collaborated from the outset, offering a valuable model for effective multiagency delivery of major international events."
Martin Green, CBE, Director, Eurovision Song Contest, European Broadcast Union

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction to a multi-agency approach 2. A multi-agency approach to large events 3. A theoretical framework for a multi-agency approach 4. Planning for the Eurovision Song Contest 5. Eurovision in Liverpool 6. Managing threats and risk at Eurovision 7. Multi-agency information sharing 8. Leadership and decision-making in a multi-agency approach 9. A relational approach to working together 10. Success, learning and recommendations