Security & Prohibited Items

PROHIBITED ITEMS

When attending one of our events, be that at the Octagon Centre, Firth Hall or the Drama Studio, we request that you do not bring any of the below items, this is to ensure the safety of all our customers and our staff.

• Any bags larger than A4
• Professional cameras/ recording equipment
• Alcoholic/ Non-alcoholic drinks
• Food
• Illegal drugs or substances
• Knives/ weapons of any kind including imitation weapons
• Helmets, cosmetic masks such as Halloween masks/ balaclavas
• Aerosol cans
• Glass Bottles, inc. perfumes
• Flares, fireworks, or any other kind of pyrotechnic
• Sports jerseys
• Air horns, whistles, or other noise-making items
• Signs, banners, flags, or selfie sticks
• Balloons
• Chewing Gum
• Animals (except service animals required for access needs)

We reserve the right to refuse any other items which we deem as disruptive or unsafe. We may require guests to place some items (such as umbrellas) into the cloakroom at regular cloakroom charges. For any medical reasons that require approval of a prohibited item, please contact us at performancevenues@sheffield.ac.uk

SPIKING

Our venues operate a zero-tolerance policy towards drink spiking and harassment.

We want our customers to have an easy and non-judgmental route to making us aware of any issues at all times. Any situations of this nature are listened to and actioned immediately.

Any suspected spiking cases will be referred to the medics on shift. There will always be a team of medics on hand at all gigs and large-scale events where alcohol is on sale. If there are no medics available, the person involved will be seen by a first aider and allowed to remain in a designated safe space until there is an action plan in place to get them to a hospital or home with a trusted companion.

We want everyone who comes to an event at our venues to feel safe enough to report any issues to our team, and that our team handle these responsibly.

Any suspected spiking cases are to be referred to the police with the victim’s blessing. 

HARASSMENT & NON-CONSENT

Harassment is unwanted behaviour in which you may find offensive or makes you feel intimidated. It can happen on its own or alongside other forms of discrimination.

Unwanted behaviour could be:

• Spoken or written words or abuse
• Images and graffiti
• Physical gestures
• Facial expressions
• Jokes

Sexual Harassment is unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature which: 

• Violates your dignity
• Makes you feel intimidated, degraded, or humiliated
• Creates a hostile or offensive environment

Our team and security take all forms of harassment seriously and are actively trying to make events as safe as possible for all.

You don’t have to have previously objected to something for it to be unwarranted. 

Any sexual behaviour should be freely entered into with both parties offering consent, highly intoxicated persons cannot give consent.

Any disclosure of harassment or non-consensual sexual behaviour is taken seriously and handled sensitively.

If you have any suggestions about how we can improve, please email us at: performancevenues@sheffield.ac.uk