City Hall admissions policy
As part of City Hall’s health and safety arrangements, admission for all visitors is conditional upon agreeing to go through the search procedures and complying with all security arrangements and instructions as detailed on this page.
The Greater London Authority reserves the right to refuse admission.
Search procedures
All visitors wishing to enter City Hall will be subject to a security search of both their person and any bags or carried items, including folding bicycles. The search aims to ensure that no prohibited items (please refer to the list displayed nearby) are either deliberately or accidentally brought into the building.
Please note that visitors may also be required to place their outer garments, hats, shoes and belts through the x-ray scanner, and laptop computers will need to be removed from their cases. Wheelchairs will also be subject to search. The scanning equipment will not harm electronic media devices and it is photographic film is safe up to ISO1600 (33 din).
It will assist the search process if people are ready to remove metal objects carried on their person (with the exception of very small items of jewellery) and place them in the trays provided.
Any person carrying open (non-sealed) containers of liquids, including bottles of water, may be asked to taste the liquid.
At the discretion of the Security Officer, visitors found in possession of prohibited items may be refused entry to the building or will only be admitted if they are prepared to surrender the items to Security, for which a receipt will be issued. Any confiscated items can be collected from Security, on production of the receipt on departure from the building, with the exception of certain prohibited items which are considered likely to pose safety risks to staff and the public which will be passed to the Police.
At the discretion of the Security Officer, visitors deliberately trying to conceal prohibited items or being obstructive may be refused entry and reported to the Police.
Visitors' behaviour and conduct
Visitors to City Hall are respectfully requested to behave in a considerate and courteous manner at all times and comply with official instructions given by Security Officers and GLA Staff. Anyone who is considered to be a threat to good order will not be admitted. Visitors must not disrupt or interfere with the activities that are taking place at City Hall.
The intimidation of Security Officers or other members of GLA Staff will not be tolerated and neither will, assault on staff, aggressive behaviour, offensive, threatening or abusive language or gestures.
Any person or group displaying these behaviours or not complying with official instructions will not be admitted or will be required to leave City Hall immediately and may at the discretion of the Security Officer be refused from future entry.
Visitors are advised not to make comments to security staff that could be interpreted as a potential threat, such actions could result in the Police being called.
Children
Young people under the age of 16 will not be permitted access to the building unless accompanied by an appropriate adult or by prior arrangement. Security staff may ask for proof of age if the visitor does not look sixteen years of age or over.
Animals
The only animals permitted access to City Hall are assistance animals and police search dogs with appropriate official identification.
Photography and filming
No photography or filming of City Hall security and reception arrangements or equipment is permitted.
The use of camera or audio-video recording equipment in such a way so as to cause alarm, distress or harassment of staff or visitors or using it in such a way that causes interference with their duties or visit is prohibited.
No commercial photography or filming at City Hall is permitted without prior written agreement from the Greater London Authority.
CCTV
For everyone's security and safety, monitored and recorded CCTV is in operation at City Hall. This includes audio recording in the Search and Screening Area.
In the interests of everyone’s health and safety, security arrangements are subject to no notice extension and change.
Prohibited items
To help protect the safety and welfare of both visitors and staff the following is a non-exclusive list of items that are prohibited from being brought into City Hall:
- E-Scooters and E-Bicycles
- Bladed items, including pen knives, fixed bladed knives, and scalpels
- Offensives weapons such as tasers
- Imitation or toy weapons, including toy hand grenades and guns
- Items that could be readily converted into weapons
- Component parts of weapons
- Flares, fireworks or other pyrotechnics
- Candles with naked flames
- Party poppers, party canons and confetti
- Helium filled balloons
- Gas canisters
- Strobe lights, high intensity torches and lasers
- Hazardous materials or substances such as radioactive items, CS gas, pepper spray, glue, acids and alkalis
- Spray paints or cans of paint
- Powders that are not personal prescription medicines or for cosmetic purposes
- Illegal drugs
- Opened bottles, cans or flasks containing alcohol
- Sharp or pointed items for cosmetic use, such as pointed comb handles
- Pointed scissors or pointed tweezers
- Knitting needles
- Syringes (unless required for personal medical use)
- Placards, banners, flags, leaflets and flyers
- Mobile phone jamming devices
- Items that could cause loud audible disruption such as whistles, megaphones, sirens, air horns, large radios, CD players and speakers.
- Glue
- Covert surveillance and recording equipment
- Climbing and abseiling equipment
- Tools such as pliers, screwdrivers, wire cutters, padlocks, chains and saws.
- Any items considered to be suspicious or unacceptable by security staff that the owner cannot provide a reasonable explanation for possessing