Protecting Public Spaces When Permanent HVM Measures Are Being Maintained
Creating safe and secure environments in public spaces is more critical than ever. Being advocates for having tailored solutions that are proportionate to the level of risk, we know that some publicly accessible spaces benefit greatly from more permanent HVM measures.
Having a permanent HVM solution in place can have benefits that temporary measures do not have the capacity for. For example, some permanent systems utilise modern technology such as automated bollards to allow for flexibility when it comes to allowing authorised access for emergency services. However, when your permanent fixtures need maintenance, what can you do?
This was a challenge faced by WPS, a perimeter security specialist, who service and maintain permanent automated bollards in public spaces. Carrying out maintenance works often involves shutting off the power to these permanent HVM systems and lowering them into the ground, meaning that for a short period of time, the surrounding area would be unprotected. In the past, WPS would use work vans and put out a line of traffic cones as a temporary form of protection.
Using temporary HVM for immediate protection
However, WPS knew this was not an effective solution. Talking about the cones, Tom Simmonds explains, “They’re not going to withstand a strong wind let alone someone trying to drive a vehicle through there.”
Realising that essential maintenance works also enabled a temporary breach in site security, Tom Simmonds of WPS knew that it wasn’t just common sense to approach a HVM specialist, but it formed part of a moral obligation. Tom comments, “We wanted to put in temporary HVM solutions to firstly protect the site, and secondly to protect the engineers that are doing the maintenance work because they’re vulnerable as well as the end of the day.”
Working in partnership with us at Crowdguard to protect King Charles Street in central London, we were able to rapidly deploy Husson H-Stops as a form of temporary protection when WPS was performing maintenance works. Opting for the installation of H-Stops to provide protection over traffic cones meant the site received enhanced protection whilst the system was isolated for works.
At Crowdguard, we believe that protection from vehicle-as-weapon attacks isn’t achieved alone, and working in collaboration with wider security professionals is essential for the welfare of the public.
Many venues and local authorities now keep temporary HVM on hand so it can be deployed whenever automated bollards are out of service or undergoing maintenance. Storing systems ready to wheel into place ensures there’s no unnecessary vulnerability in the perimeter during those periods of reduced protection.
Get in touch
Get in touch with info@crowdguard.co.uk for more information on deploying temporary HVM measures where immediate protection is needed.
Image: Crowdguard
