Permanent HVM is a fixed, rated hostile vehicle mitigation measure designed to prevent unauthorised vehicles from getting close to pedestrians in public spaces, or to buildings or assets. It is the ideal HVM measure for locations where there is a constant need for protection against vehicle as a weapon attacks or vehicle incursions.
Security bollards are often installed as a permanent HVM measure. As well as acting as a visible deterrent, HVM bollards can be installed to maintain the aesthetic of the urban landscape or building. Importantly, they still allow pedestrian traffic to flow unhindered, while offering rated protection from vehicle as a weapon attacks and vehicle incursions.
Permanent HVM solutions also include planters, barriers, and street furniture. At Crowdguard, following assessment at your event site, stadium, or venue, we will advise you on the most appropriate and proportionate mix of temporary, semi-permanent or permanent HVM, aligned to the identified risk, your operational requirements and your budget, proposing the best solution from the marketplace.
If permanent HVM is the most appropriate, proportionate hostile vehicle mitigation solution for your requirements, a full survey will be required and you may also need to gain planning permission for the installation.
Civils works will be needed to create the foundations for your permanent HVM system, and you may also have to wait for the permanent HVM to be manufactured to the agreed specification.
Once the permanent HVM is in place, it creates a defined, effective space that can be utilised day-to-day, or for events be held in a secure environment.
Because of the delivery time required for a permanent HVM installation, it may be advisable to deploy temporary HVM as an interim measure to ensure that your venue, location or asset is protected during the planning, design, and manufacturing phase. Our Hampton Court Bridge case study provides a great example of how temporary HVM can be used as an interim measure while a permanent HVM project is progressed.
At Crowdguard, we can advise you on the most appropriate temporary HVM system for your needs while you consider or pursue a permanent HVM solution. Temporary HVM can also be a useful approach to trialling HVM, enabling you to assess the operational and aesthetic impact of HVM as part of a feasibility study or stakeholder consultation.
Although terror attacks are rare, the terror alert for the UK is ‘substantial’, which means that an attack is considered likely. Vehicles have been weaponised by terrorists all over the world, and protection from vehicle as a weapon attacks should be considered as part of a counter terrorism strategy for any events, venues or publicly accessible locations (PALs) where crowds gather. Deployment of HVM should be based on a threat, vulnerability and risk assessment (TVRA) and vehicle dynamics assessment (VDA), with proportionate measures put in place aligned to the identified risk, operational requirements and budget.
Following publication of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill – also known as Martyn’s Law and formerly referred to as Protect Duty – those with responsibility for PALs will soon be mandated to implement security measures to protect people and assets. Due to the longer lead times for permanent HVM, if you are considering this type of hostile vehicle mitigation protection it is wise to begin the risk assessment process as early as possible, ahead of the legislation becoming law.
It is also important to note that the threat already exists, regardless of any future legal obligations and any HVM installation should be integrated with a full counter terrorism strategy and operational plan, which including staffing, training, procedure and communications best practice.
