Friday, 16th October 2026

Last month, Trident Manor conducted security reviews at a sculpture garden and a small local museum in the North of England, supporting both venues in assessing and strengthening measures to protect their collections, visitors and operations.

The museum is preparing for an exciting upcoming exhibition that will explore significant moments in the history of the area. A particular loan object will serve as the star object of the exhibition and is expected to attract a lot of visitor interest, supported by a programme of events, workshops and community engagement activities.

When borrowing objects, venues must be able to demonstrate that appropriate security arrangements are in place. Security reviews help identify whether physical, technical and operational measures are proportionate to the risks. This includes considering security during public opening hours, as well as during closed periods. Access control, intruder detection, display cases, key management procedures, staff awareness and incident response arrangements all play an important role in protecting valuable and significant objects.

Outdoor exhibitions and sculpture gardens present a different set of challenges. Unlike traditional museum environments, sculptures are often displayed in open landscapes, making them inherently more exposed to criminal, accidental and environmental threats. The size, weight, and portability of each sculpture must be carefully considered, as these factors can impact vulnerability.

Metal theft remains a particular concern across the UK outdoor exhibitions, especially where sculptures contain bronze, copper or other valuable materials. In addition, venues must consider the potential for vandalism, unauthorised vehicle access, accidental damage by visitors and the effects of severe weather on artworks.

Despite these challenges, sculpture gardens can be effectively protected while maintaining an open and welcoming visitor experience. A combination of effective physical barriers, vehicle mitigation measures, effective lighting, CCTV coverage, and clearly defined operational procedures can significantly reduce risk. Regular patrols, robust opening and closing routines, and clear incident reporting processes further strengthen a site's resilience.

Security reviews provide an opportunity to assess these measures holistically, helping organisations understand where existing controls are effective and where improvements may be beneficial. By taking a proportionate, risk-based approach, museums and outdoor exhibition spaces can continue to make collections accessible to the public while ensuring that culturally significant objects remain appropriately protected for future generations. If you would like to find out more about security reviews for your own venue, please feel free to contact us at enquiries@tridentmanor.com.