Download the PDFs
- The article: PDF, 28 pages, 3.6 MB
- The full report: PDF, 38 pages, 5.7 MB
- The slide deck: PDF, 28 pages, 1.3 MB
people to first aid, none to hospital [1]
minutes to clean air, the venue said [1]
minutes or less: usual CS recovery [4]
“We have a good ventilation system, so within a quarter of an hour the air in the hall is completely clean.”
The venue spokesperson, as reported by AT5. OTAS translation [1]
By OTAS Insights · Published by OTAS Live Ltd
In late October 2026, during a major dance music week in Amsterdam, an irritant spray was released inside a packed former industrial hall. Reports describe it as tear gas, reportedly linked to an attempted theft of a necklace [1][2][3]. Fifteen people went to first aid and none needed hospital, local media reported [1][2]. The hall emptied fast [1]. The venue said its ventilation gave completely clean air within a quarter of an hour [1]. It was not the only case this year. In February 2026 a spray released on a dance floor in Germany hurt 38 people, and eight went to hospital, police said [14]. On Halloween night in Vienna, police said a door security worker sprayed pepper spray towards a crowd outside a club, and 40 people were treated [11][12]. For UK venues the lesson is not about the spray alone. A sudden release in a dense crowd can start a rush to the exits, and HSE lists crushing and trampling among crowd hazards [7]. The answer is a short response your team has rehearsed: recognise it, control the show, ventilate, move people without a crush, and treat people the right way.
In short: the spray is the trigger, the crowd is the risk. Bring the music down and the lights up, open the biggest doors, staff the exits, and treat people in fresh air without rubbing their eyes. For CS, UK guidance also says not to wash the skin straight away. For any other or unknown spray, follow your medical provider's protocol.
What happened in the hall
Three news reports, read again on 9 November 2026, set out the incident. We do not name the venue or the event. Where the reports differ, we say so [1] [2] [3].
The incident
- When Saturday 24 October 2026, during a major dance music week that ran from 21 to 25 October [2]. NL Times reported the scuffle at about 19:45 [3].
- Where A packed former industrial hall. NL Times reported the scuffle about 10 metres from the stage [3].
- What An irritant spray, reported as tear gas, released during a scuffle. A police spokesperson confirmed the spraying, AT5 reported [1].
- Why Reportedly linked to an attempted theft of a necklace [1][2][3].
The response
- The music Lowered for about five minutes [1][3].
- The doors NL Times reported that organisers opened the large wooden doors [3].
- The air “We have a good ventilation system, so within a quarter of an hour the air in the hall is completely clean,” the venue spokesperson told AT5 (OTAS translation) [1].
- The exit Footage showed people leaving the hall en masse, and all visitors were searched on the way out, AT5 reported [1].
The casualties
- First aid “15 people reported to first aid, none of them needed to go to hospital” (AT5, OTAS translation) [1]. DJ Mag reported the same [2].
- Examinations NL Times reported: “Three required medical examinations” [3].
Two more cases from 2026
Both were reported by the police. We give what they said, and do not name the venues or anyone involved. German sources are in OTAS translation.
| Item | Germany, February 2026 | Vienna, 1 November 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Where | A dance floor in a club in Lower Saxony [14][15] | The entrance of a club in Leopoldstadt, with a large crowd outside [11] |
| Who sprayed | An unknown man, for reasons not yet known, police said [14] | A 23 year old door security worker, police said [11][12] |
| People hurt | 38 hurt, eight taken to hospital. Police expected most injuries to be minor [14] | 40 treated by the city ambulance service, three taken to hospital [11][12] |
| What happened next | The club had been evacuated before police arrived. People outside complained of breathing problems and eye and airway irritation [14][15] | The worker was reported on suspicion of serious bodily harm (OTAS translation). An officer was also affected and treated [11] |
| Police | Inquiry into dangerous bodily harm, witnesses sought [14] | Police had been called to the crowd and were trying to reach the club security when the spray was used [11] |
Table 3. Two more spray cases in 2026, from police statements as reported. Sources [11][12][14][15].
A video seen by the Kronen Zeitung shows the worker spraying upwards towards a packed crowd at the entrance twice [13]. We have not seen the video. In both cases a spray in a dense crowd hurt dozens of people in minutes.
When the spray comes from your own team
The Vienna case is a warning for every door team. OTAS reading, with the law where shown. Not legal advice.
The position in Great Britain
- CS and pepper sprays are treated as prohibited weapons under section 5(1)(b) of the Firearms Act 1968 [6]. Northern Ireland has a similar ban under the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2004. No one on your team should carry one.
- Employers must not expose the public to risks to their health or safety, so far as is reasonably practicable [22].
What to brief
- A crowd at the door is a crowd safety problem first. Slow the queue, open space, and call the duty manager and the police.
- Write into your door policy that no spray, of any kind, is carried by staff or contractors.
- Check contractors know your policy, as well as your own staff. HSE says you keep overall responsibility for the safety of the public, even when stewarding is contracted out [17].
Where the reports agree, and where they differ
Three reports, written within three days. Read them side by side before you draw a lesson [1][2][3].
| Point | What the reports say |
|---|---|
| The substance | AT5 and DJ Mag say tear gas [1][2]. We say an irritant spray, reported as tear gas |
| The theft | DJ Mag and NL Times describe an attempted necklace theft [2][3]. AT5 says nothing was stolen as far as known [1] |
| Medical | None to hospital [1][2]. Three needed medical examinations [3]. Both can be true |
| The doors | Only NL Times reports the large doors being opened [3] |
| Ventilation | The venue spokesperson, as reported by AT5 [1] |
Table 2. How the three reports compare, read on 9 November 2026.
A pattern that week
The hall incident was not the only one reported that week. The details below are attributed, because they come through single chains of reporting.
What was reported
- Other incidents DJ Mag, citing EDM.com, described this as at least the fourth incident [2]. NL Times reported earlier incidents on the Friday at two other venues [3].
- Thefts DJ Mag reported that police received “dozens of reports” of jewellery robberies at various events, “sometimes involving pepper spray or tear gas”, citing a separate AT5 story [2].
- The method AT5 reported that spray in a full hall is “a popular trick among thieves”, because people affected notice a theft less quickly (OTAS translation) [1].
What it may mean for UK venues (OTAS reading)
- Busy weeks with many events in one city can draw organised theft. Brief your teams on known methods before a high profile week.
- A spray can be a distraction, not the goal. Look for thefts in the minutes after a release.
What UK guidance says about CS gas
UK public health guidance covers CS gas. Pepper spray is a different agent, and this guidance is not written for it. Treat this as a guide to first steps, not medical advice.
How CS behaves [4]
- “When released, CS gas will disperse into the atmosphere in a matter of minutes.”
- Effects include “intense tear production, eye pain, chest tightness, coughing and sneezing”.
- “Treatment is rarely needed because people usually recover quickly (within 15 to 30 minutes) after a brief exposure.”
- “Exposure to large amounts of CS gas (such as that following release of CS gas in a confined space) for a long time may result in lung damage.”
First steps [4]
- “remove yourself from any confined space”.
- “Do not rub your eyes”.
- “Do not wash the skin as using water immediately after exposure may make symptoms worse by spreading CS around the body.”
If symptoms last more than 30 minutes [4][5]
- Remove soiled clothing “(not over the head)” and seal it in plastic bags, and blot exposed skin with dry absorbent material [4].
- Take out contact lenses and irrigate the eyes with lukewarm water “for at least 10 to 15 minutes”, and seek medical advice [4].
- “Dry decontamination should be considered if symptoms persist for longer than 30 minutes” [5].
Who is most at risk [5]
- “Exacerbation of asthma has been reported.”
- Hospital treatment is “rarely needed ... unless exposure has been to high concentrations within a confined space for a prolonged time.”
The common thread for a venue is fresh air. Get people out of the confined space and the air moving, then treat. The Purple Guide says medical cover should fit the scale of the event and its activities, with at least a qualified first aider at any event [19].
CS and pepper spray are not the same
This matters for treatment and for what you tell people.
What we can say
- The guidance UK public health guidance on GOV.UK covers CS gas [4][5]. Its general rules are fresh air, no rubbing, and advice if symptoms persist [4].
- Pepper spray Pepper spray is a different agent. We do not extend the CS guidance to it as fact. Your medical provider should advise on it.
- In this case The reports describe tear gas [1][2]. The sources we read do not confirm the agent.
The law in brief
In brief, and not legal advice. The incident was outside the UK.
Firearms Act 1968 [6]
- Section 5(1)(b) covers “any weapon of whatever description designed or adapted for the discharge of any noxious liquid, gas or other thing”.
- CS and pepper sprays are treated as prohibited weapons under section 5(1)(b). This is because of that general wording.
Martyn's Law [10][23]
- The SIA lists four public protection procedures: evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication. An irritant drill can test three of them.
- The Act received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. It is expected to come into force in spring 2027 [10].
Health and safety law [21][22]
- Employers must make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to people affected by their work. This includes the public [21].
- They must run their undertaking so the public is not exposed to risks to health or safety. The duty applies so far as is reasonably practicable [22].
What it may mean for you (OTAS reading)
- A spray theft is not terrorism. But the same procedures give a ready frame for any sudden incident.
- Name sprays as prohibited items in your search policy and conditions of entry.
Why the crowd is the bigger risk
The spray is an irritant. The crowd response can cause the serious injuries. The Purple Guide says crowd planning covers how people leave, particularly in an emergency [20]. The causes below come from the sources. The lessons are OTAS guidance.
The five step irritant response
- It moves fast. HSE says “Crowd incidents can develop very quickly” [8]. A spray gives no warning, and people react in seconds. HSE asks organisers to plan for incidents and emergencies as part of managing crowds [16][18].
- People rush. HSE lists “Surging and swaying leading to crushing” and “Falling and being trampled underfoot” among crowd hazards [7]. A rush away from one spot can do both.
- The space is confined. UK guidance says exposure in a confined space for a long time “may result in lung damage” [4]. The fix is to get people and air moving.
- Some people react worse. “Exacerbation of asthma has been reported” [5]. Your first aid team needs to find these people first.
- It hides the theft. AT5 reported that spray in a packed hall is “a popular trick among thieves”, because people affected notice a theft less quickly (OTAS translation) [1].
Moving people without a crush
OTAS professional practice, with HSE guidance where shown.
At the exits
- Doors Open every door fully. A half open door is a pinch point.
- Stairs Put staff on the stairs first. HSE lists “Falling and being trampled underfoot” among crowd hazards [7].
- Cross flow Stop people coming in while others are going out. Close the entrance to new arrivals.
- Belongings Do not let people go back for coats or bags until the space is clear.
If the PA fails
- HSE says to have back up loud hailers in case the PA fails [8].
- Agree hand signals for staff at each exit.
Ventilation planning by venue type
A method, not a set of figures. OTAS professional practice. The venue in this case said its ventilation cleared the air within a quarter of an hour [1].
Know your space
- Large halls Know which large doors open to the outside, who holds the keys, and how long they take to open fully.
- Basement rooms Know where the extraction is controlled and how long a full air change takes. Plan to move people up and out early.
- Marquees Know which side walls can be lifted or tied back, and who does it.
- Bars and clubs Know whether the air conditioning recirculates air. If it does, ask your technical lead what setting gives fresh air.
Signs of a spray release
Signs 1 and 2 come from UK guidance on the effects of CS [4]. Signs 3 to 5 are OTAS professional practice, with HSE on how quickly crowd incidents develop [8].
Signs of a spray release
- 01Sudden coughing and sneezing
Effects of CS include “coughing and sneezing” and “chest tightness” [4].
- 02Streaming eyes and eye pain
“intense tear production, eye pain” [4].
- 03People covering their faces
Sleeves, hoods and hands over mouths, in one part of the crowd at once.
- 04A ring opening in the crowd
People pushing away from one spot, leaving a gap around it.
- 05A sudden push to the exits
“Crowd incidents can develop very quickly” [8].
The first five minutes, step by step
OTAS professional practice unless a source is shown. Rehearse it so nobody has to think.
Five steps in the first five minutes
Recognise
Spot the signs, then radio “irritant” and the location on the main channel. The control point coordinates actions with the emergency services [8].
Control
Bring the music down and the house lights up. The venue in this case lowered the music for about five minutes [1][3]. Use a calm PA message that sends people to named exits, not “evacuate now”.
Ventilate
Open the largest openings and run the extraction. NL Times reported that the large doors were opened [3]. Fresh air is the first step in UK CS guidance [4].
Move
Staff the exits and stairs, open the doors fully and stop any cross flow. HSE lists crushing and trampling among crowd hazards [7].
Treat
Casualties into fresh air. Do not rub the eyes [4]. For CS, do not wash the skin straight away [4]. For pepper spray or an unknown agent, follow your medical provider's protocol. Contact lenses out, and irrigate the eyes if symptoms persist [4]. Escalate breathing problems and asthma at once [5].
The next 30 minutes
OTAS professional practice unless a source is shown.
Medical
- The 30 minute check Track anyone still with symptoms at 30 minutes and seek medical advice [4].
- Clothing If symptoms persist, remove soiled clothing “(not over the head)” and seal it in plastic bags [4].
- Eyes If symptoms persist, contact lenses out, and irrigate with lukewarm water “for at least 10 to 15 minutes” [4].
- Asthma Escalate at once. “Exacerbation of asthma has been reported” [5].
Reopening the room
- Only when the space is clear and staff confirm the air is clean.
- The duty manager makes the call, with the medical lead.
Police and evidence
- Call the police. Preserve the CCTV. Note the time and location of the scuffle.
- Log every theft report and direct victims to the police.
Searches and the police
The venue in this case searched all visitors on the way out [1]. The position in Great Britain is different.
OTAS professional practice
- A search needs a lawful basis and enough staff to do it safely.
- Follow your conditions of entry and police direction. Do not detain anyone.
- Searching people at a slow exit can create a crowd at the door. Keep the exit flowing first.
- Give the police the CCTV, the timeline and the names of staff who saw the scuffle.
Roles in an irritant incident
Four roles, each with one named person on every shift. OTAS professional practice.
| Role | What they own |
|---|---|
| Duty manager | The show stop, and the decision to reopen the room |
| Security supervisor | The scene, the witnesses and the CCTV |
| Medical lead | Triage, the 30 minute check and hospital referral |
| Technical lead | Lights, PA and extraction |
Table 4. Roles in an irritant incident. OTAS professional practice.
PA scripts to have ready
Short, calm and recorded in advance. OTAS professional practice.
Two messages
- First message “Please move calmly towards the exits by the bar and the main doors. Staff will guide you. Do not rub your eyes.”
- Second message “Please stay outside in the fresh air. If you feel unwell, go to the first aid team by the main doors.”
Test them
- Record both messages and play them through the system before doors open.
- Name the exits you really have, not general words like “nearest exit”.
Action box
Operational
- Know the signs
- Radio “irritant” and where
- Keep exits open
Know the signs and the radio call. If you see it, say “irritant” and where. Keep your exit or stairs clear and the doors fully open. Do not let people go back for belongings. Tell people not to rub their eyes.
Tactical
- Own one step
- Hold the scene
- Run the 30 minute check
Own one step of the response. Security holds the scene, the witnesses and the CCTV. Medical runs triage and the 30 minute check. Technical brings up the lights, takes down the music and runs the extraction.
Strategic
- Write it into the plan
- Fund the kit
- Exercise each season
Make the irritant response part of your emergency plan. Fund eye wash, water and a dry decontamination kit. Name sprays in your search policy. Exercise the response once a season.
A prevention checklist
OTAS professional practice unless a source is shown.
Before the night
- A search policy that names sprays as prohibited items [6].
- A briefing on known theft methods during high profile weeks [1][2].
- A ventilation plan, with keys and controls named.
- PA scripts for an irritant incident, recorded and tested.
On the night
- Visible staff patrols in dense areas. HSE says staff in the crowd can “identify signs of distress” [9].
- Eye wash and water at first aid, with a dry decontamination kit [4][5].
- A charged loud hailer at the control point [8].
Each season
- Exercise the response as part of your evacuation and invacuation drills [10].
- A debrief after any incident, with the CCTV and the timeline.
What we do not know yet
- Which agent was used in Amsterdam. The reports describe tear gas, and the sources we read do not confirm the agent.
- Whether the incidents in Amsterdam that week are linked. DJ Mag, citing EDM.com, described this as at least the fourth [2].
- Who sprayed in Germany, and why. Police said the man was not yet known [14].
- What happens next in the Vienna case. The worker was reported on suspicion of serious bodily harm (OTAS translation) [11]. No court has ruled.
- How often this happens at UK events. We found no UK source on it.
Coming up: the busy season
The winter party season and New Year bring the busiest nights of the year to many venues. It is a good time to rehearse an irritant response. Martyn's Law is expected to come into force in spring 2027 [10]. The SIA lists four public protection procedures: evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication [10]. An irritant drill can test three of them. The Act received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025 [23].
Frequently asked questions
Is tear gas the same as pepper spray?
No. They are different agents. UK public health guidance covers CS gas [4][5]. We do not extend it to pepper spray as fact. The reports of this incident describe tear gas, and the sources we read do not confirm the agent.
Should we evacuate the whole venue?
Not by reflex. A rush to the exits can cause crushing and trampling [7]. Bring the music down and the lights up, open the biggest doors, and move people calmly to named exits. In this case the venue lowered the music for about five minutes [1][3].
Should we wash people's eyes and skin with water?
UK guidance on CS says “Do not wash the skin” straight away, as water may spread it [4]. If symptoms last beyond 30 minutes, take out contact lenses and irrigate the eyes with lukewarm water “for at least 10 to 15 minutes” and seek medical advice [4].
How long do the effects last?
After a brief CS exposure, people usually recover “within 15 to 30 minutes” [4]. Asthma can be made worse [5]. Escalate anyone with breathing problems at once.
Are sprays legal to carry in the UK?
CS and pepper sprays are treated as prohibited weapons under section 5(1)(b) of the Firearms Act 1968. That section covers “any weapon of whatever description designed or adapted for the discharge of any noxious liquid, gas or other thing” [6]. Call the police.
Can we search everyone on the way out?
The venue in this case searched all visitors on the way out [1]. In the UK, a search needs a lawful basis and staff. Follow your conditions of entry and police direction, and do not detain anyone. That is OTAS professional practice, not legal advice.
Related OTAS Insights
These are links to other OTAS Insights pieces, not to any OTAS Live product or service.
- When a rumour moves faster than your stewards
- When a social post draws a crowd: pop-up events without a plan
Interest: OTAS Live Ltd, which publishes OTAS Insights, sells event operations services, handbooks and training related to this topic.
Law: this Insight summarises parts of the law in Great Britain, and UK guidance, as published on legislation.gov.uk and GOV.UK. Northern Ireland law differs in places. It is not legal or medical advice. Ask the police and your medical provider what applies to your venue.
References
Web sources opened 9 November 2026 and labelled with their publisher. The source pages themselves may name the event or venue. We do not use those names in the text.
- AT5, Amsterdam local broadcaster, tear gas sprayed at a dance music week party, in Dutch, 25 October 2026 at5.nl
- DJ Mag, police investigate suspected tear gas attacks at a dance music week, 27 October 2026 djmag.com
- NL Times, tear gas sprayed in an alleged attempted jewellery robbery, 25 October 2026 nltimes.nl
- UK Health Security Agency, CS gas: general information, 16 November 2022 gov.uk
- UK Health Security Agency, CS gas: incident management, 16 November 2022 gov.uk
- Firearms Act 1968, prohibited weapons, section 5, legislation.gov.uk legislation.gov.uk
- HSE, crowd management, assess the risks hse.gov.uk
- HSE, crowd management, control inside the venue hse.gov.uk
- HSE, crowd management, monitoring hse.gov.uk
- Security Industry Authority, understanding Martyn's Law and the SIA's role as regulator, 17 July 2026 gov.uk
- wien.ORF.at, pepper spray outside a club, 40 hurt, in German, 1 November 2026 wien.orf.at
- Kurier, security used pepper spray and 40 people needed treatment, in German, 1 November 2026 kurier.at
- Kronen Zeitung, video shows pepper spray attack outside a Vienna club, in German, 2 November 2026 krone.at
- Polizeiinspektion Rotenburg, unknown person sprays irritant in a club, at least 38 hurt, in German, 1 February 2026 presseportal.de
- NDR, irritant gas in a club, 38 hurt, 8 in hospital, in German, 1 February 2026 ndr.de
- HSE, managing crowds safely hse.gov.uk
- HSE, set clear roles and responsibilities, updated 4 April 2025 hse.gov.uk
- HSE, running an event safely hse.gov.uk
- The Purple Guide, medical thepurpleguide.co.uk
- The Purple Guide, crowd management thepurpleguide.co.uk
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, regulation 3, risk assessment legislation.gov.uk
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, section 3, duties to persons other than employees legislation.gov.uk
- GOV.UK, Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 collection gov.uk
If a spray went off in your busiest room tonight, who would bring the lights up?
If you need support with an emergency plan or a crowd response drill for your venue, reach out to us to see how we can support you.
Events industry since 2008, internationally since 2015. OTAS Live Ltd. By OTAS Insights. Edited by Kris Dailly.
Download the PDFs
- The article: PDF, 28 pages, 3.6 MB
- The full report: PDF, 38 pages, 5.7 MB
- The slide deck: PDF, 28 pages, 1.3 MB
Work with OTAS
Want to rehearse your irritant response?
Corrections to published Insights articles are listed in our corrections log.