Focus On Hostile Vehicle Mitigation
As stadium managers prepare for the new Protect Duty law to come into force, Richard Winstanley at BFT Automation explores the role of Hostile Vehicle Mitigation in a protective security strategy.
Stadium security teams are likely to already have measures in place to protect staff and the public in the event of a terror attack, but now the Protect Duty Bill is set to become law, operators will need to make sure these measures are fully embedded into their security strategies.
For readers who are less familiar with this, the Protect Duty legislation is otherwise known as ‘Martyn’s Law’ and was introduced following the campaign launched by the mother of Martyn Hett, who was among those who tragically lost their lives in the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017. The new law will require high capacity venues such as football stadia to devise and provide specific security plans in case of a terror attack.
As hostile vehicles have unfortunately become increasingly relied on by those seeking to launch an attack, Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) should be among these considerations.
Certified and crash tested anti-terror bollards are a practical option to protect a venue against a hostile vehicle attack, but there are a number of points to consider before deciding which solution is best and it can be difficult to know where to start.
Assessing The Risk
A risk assessment carried out by a suitably qualified person will naturally play a big part in deciding whether HVM measures are needed at your stadium and, if so, which solution would work best for any of the risks identified.
Some examples of what a HVM risk assessment should include are:
- Identifying all vehicle access points
This includes looking at any weak areas that may be particularly vulnerable.
- An investigation of the local environment
The surrounding roads are likely to have an impact on the threat of HVM. For example, consider how traffic currently flows around your stadium’s location and whether this can be reviewed to keep vehicles further away.
A hostile vehicle incident usually begins on public roads with little or no warning, but vehicles approaching the property will need an area of ‘run up’ in order to build up speed. If this is denied by the very nature of the road layout, the risk is reduced.
- Parking considerations
If the introduction of security barriers are likely to impact on access to parking facilities, there are measures that can be taken to address this, such as the use of automated bollards that can be lowered to allow entry.
- The immediacy of any threat
In circumstances where a venue is made aware of a clear and present threat to their premises, it’s possible to hire temporary security products while you search for a permanent solution.
These are just a few examples of what might be considered and manufacturers and installers of HVM solutions are well placed to support security teams in the risk assessment process if needed.
Fixed vs Automated
One of the first decisions to make before the introduction of bollards is whether it’s more appropriate to use a fixed or automated option.
Fixed bollards can present a clear, visible deterrent to potential attackers and are an ideal solution for stadia in areas that are typically accessed via foot, by bike or where people congregate.
And in cases where the visual impact of bollards might jar with the aesthetics of the immediate setting, there are products available that can preserve the appearance of the surrounding environment, while providing safety. There are options for both colour and finish.
However, given the heavy reliance on vehicle access for the majority of stadia, a solution such as retractable bollards come into play for all points where vehicles need to travel in and out of the site. This offers flexibility to accommodate temporary changes in traffic flow or events.
A Note On Aesthetics
For some stadia, the idea of visible bollards may be off-putting. It might be that there’s no need for a visible deterrent and the visual impact of bollards might jar with the immediate setting. Or managers may be keen for visitors and members of staff to feel safe without a reminder of any threat to security.
In such cases, there are anti-terrorism products available that can preserve the appearance of the surrounding environment, while providing safety by appearing as a row of planters as just one example.
Expert Resources
The Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI) is a useful starting point to find out more about the range of bollard options available. A Government backed resource for physical and personnel protective security, the website includes details on HVM products, with an interactive online list of vehicle security barriers that meet all the different regulations and standards, including physical crash test certification: www.cpni.gov.uk
Another useful resource is the Perimeter Security Suppliers Association (PSSA), which has a dedicated hub of information purely on HVM product that are manufactured, supplied and installed by its members: https://hvmhub.com/about/ Resources include advice on threat risk assessment, spec writing and installer selection tips.
A few points to consider are:
- The height and visibility of the bollards, particularly in low light conditions
- The ground conditions at a site, as permanent bollards require foundations into the ground
- The placement and spacing of bollards in relation to pedestrian movement
For more information on the Protect Duty legislation itself, the Government has prepared a useful factsheet, including details on the scope of the plans and how this is likely to be enforced: https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/2022/12/19/martyns-law-factsheet/
The threat of terrorism in the UK remains serious and, especially in light of the changes due to be imposed when the legislation comes into force, stadia reviewing their protective security strategy will need reassurance that the measures they’re taking will go far enough to protect themselves against an attack.
As Figen Murray, the mother of Martyn Hett – who has led the campaign to introduce the Protect Duty legislation – has said:
“Martyn’s Law isn’t going to stop terrorism, but common-sense security, and making sure venues are doing all they can to keep people safe, could mean fewer suffer what myself and the families of Manchester have had to endure.”
HVM has an important role to play when forming an effective physical security strategy for stadia looking to protect themselves from a potential act of terror or any other serious crimes where a hostile vehicle could be used. Protecting property and, most importantly, those who visit or work in a football stadium.
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