Protecting a major international sporting event requires far more than physical security barriers alone. It relies on trusted partnerships, careful planning, and a layered approach where every stakeholder understands their role.
At this year’s HSBC Championships at The Queen’s Club, we partnered with Carbonite Traffic Solutions to help deliver a proportionate Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) solution that complemented the event’s wider traffic management and security arrangements.
The Solution
We provided the Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) solution in support of Carbonite Traffic Solutions, who led the traffic management operation. Working in partnership, we applied our specialist HVM expertise to design, specify and implement a risk-led HVM scheme tailored to the event’s specific threat profile and operational requirements. Rather than simply supplying barriers, we ensured the solution was appropriate, proportionate and fully integrated with the wider traffic management operation. This included:
- Designing the HVM deployment based on the agreed risk assessment and operational requirements.
- Specifying and installing certified Husson H-Stop barriers.
- Training Carbonite operatives in the safe operation and management of the H-Stops throughout the event.
By combining Carbonite’s traffic management expertise with our specialist HVM knowledge, each organisation focused on its area of expertise, resulting in a coordinated, proportionate solution that supported the safe delivery of the event.
Effective HVM is about more than simply stopping vehicles; it must also consider how security integrates with the operational needs of the event and the experience of those attending. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach, we selected the Husson H-Stop because its pedestrian permeability and operational flexibility made it well suited to a high-footfall sporting event, providing appropriate protection while maintaining visitor flow and the welcoming atmosphere of the venue.
The approach also reduced disruption for local residents, who commented positively on the quieter deployment process compared with previous arrangements, demonstrating that well-considered, proportionate security can benefit both event audiences and the surrounding community.
“Delivering a safe and successful event at the HSBC Championships is only possible through genuine collaboration. From the earliest planning meetings through to live operations, working alongside the LTA, Crowdguard and the wider delivery team allowed us to integrate traffic management, hostile vehicle mitigation and venue operations into a single, coordinated approach. Strong partnerships create stronger security, ensuring every element of the supply chain is aligned, responsive and committed to delivering the highest standards for the event, its spectators, and the local community.”
Quality Through the Supply Chain
Delivering proportionate protective security relies on quality and due diligence throughout the supply chain. For this event, that began with the product itself. Husson H-Stop is independently impact-tested and certified to ISO 22343-1, with a tested penetration distance of 12.9 metres and VADS certification. Its pedestrian permeability and operational flexibility made it the right choice for a busy sporting environment where crowd movement, authorised vehicle access and visitor experience were all important operational considerations.
As the specialist HVM provider, our role was to apply our Plan – Provide – Protect methodology, assessing the requirement, specifying the right system, installing it correctly, and ensuring it was supported by trained people and clear operational processes. Providing Carbonite operatives with H-Stop training strengthened the wider supply chain, helping ensure the system was managed safely and consistently throughout the event.
Carbonite’s traffic management expertise was equally important. Their commitment to proportionate protection, rather than simply ticking a box, meant the HVM measures were properly integrated into the wider event operation.
