What is Hostile Vehicle Mitigation? A Comprehensive Guide for 2026
What Is HVM?
Table of Contents
HVM stands for Hostile Vehicle Mitigation. Using the NPSA definition, it is a protective security discipline focused on reducing risks associated with vehicle-borne threats posed by terrorists or criminals. HVM is not, “just barriers”, but is a combination of integrated products and processes. Effective HVM is informed by:
- The nature of the threat and how it may manifest
- The vulnerability of the location or event
- The potential consequences of an attack
- The operational needs of those responsible for the space
Why Is Hostile Vehicle Mitigation Important?
Vehicles remain attractive to hostile actors due to their availability, familiarity, and ability to cause harm quickly. Understanding the types of vehicle-borne threats is essential to understanding why HVM is important.
- Vehicle as a Weapon (VAW) – The deliberate use of a vehicle to strike people, often requiring minimal planning and capable of evolving rapidly.
- Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) – Explosives concealed within a vehicle, where blast, fragmentation, and stand-off distance are critical considerations.
- Vehicle as an Enabler – Vehicles used to transport attackers, weapons, or facilitate layered or follow-on attacks.
HVM does not guarantee that an attack will never take place. The aim of HVM is to reduce the risk and consequences of a vehicle-borne threat, it cannot eliminate risk or consequence entirely.
How Does Hostile Vehicle Mitigation Work?
Effective HVM starts with understanding the risk, not choosing a barrier. The aim is to develop proportionate measures based on the threat, vulnerability, potential consequences and operational needs of the location or event.
Threat, Vulnerability and Risk Assessment (TVRA)
A TVRA asks what is the risk? It looks at the wider security picture. It considers the credible threats, who or what may be vulnerable, the potential consequences, existing controls and the overall level of risk. It helps determine whether additional HVM measures are justified and proportionate.
Vehicle Dynamics Assessment (VDA)
Where appropriate, a VDA asks what could a vehicle realistically do here? As opposed to a TVRA, a VDA more specifically focuses on the vehicle and the physical characteristics of the environment. It considers realistic vehicle approaches and achievable vehicle dynamics so that, where physical HVM is required, an appropriate tested solution can be specified.
Operational Requirements
HVM must also work in practice. Pedestrian movement, accessibility, authorised vehicle access, existing controls and event schedules can all influence the appropriate approach. HVM is therefore more than barriers: it combines products, processes and procedures within the wider security plan.
Understanding Residual Risk
No HVM measure removes risk completely. Residual risk is what remains after proportionate mitigation has been introduced. Understanding both what measures can achieve and their limitations enables responsible, informed decision-making.
The objective can never be zero risk, but proportionate risk mitigation that reduces vulnerability while keeping spaces practical, accessible and welcoming.
What Are Vehicle Security Barriers (VSBs)?
Vehicle Security Barriers (VSBs) are physical measures designed to help prevent unauthorised vehicles from entering protected areas. They come in different forms, from temporary surface-mounted barriers to permanent bollards, and tested products are rated to show how they perform under defined impact conditions. VSBs are typically used as part of a wider, risk-led HVM scheme rather than as a standalone security measure.
Understanding HVM Standards and Ratings
Reputable HVM products are tested against recognised standards so their performance under defined conditions can be understood and considered as part of a risk-led specification.
ISO 22343-1 – This is the current international impact-testing standard for VSBs, assessing their performance when impacted by specified vehicles under controlled test conditions.
IWA 14-1 – An earlier international impact-testing standard used to rate VSB performance against defined vehicle type, weight and speed conditions. You will still see this rating on many established HVM products.
PAS 68 – An earlier UK impact-testing standard for VSBs. Many established HVM products still carry PAS 68 ratings from previous testing.
Vehicle Attack Delay Standard (VADS) – VADS tests barriers against slower-speed, repeated vehicle impacts to assess their ability to delay an attack and provide additional response time.
What Are the Different Types of HVM Barriers?
Not all HVM barriers operate in the same way, and solutions generally fall into three categories.
Semi-Permanent HVM
Semi-permanent systems have a fixed element installed into the ground, while the protective barrier or bollard can be added and removed when required. They’re useful for places such as stadia and town centres that regularly host events.
Permanent HVM
Permanent barriers remain in place all the time. They are typically used where ongoing vehicle protection is required and can often be designed to fit naturally into the surrounding public space.
The best option isn’t necessarily the biggest or strongest, it is the one that appropriately matches the risk and operational needs of the location.
Where Is Hostile Vehicle Mitigation Used?
Events and Festivals
From city-centre celebrations to local community fairs and major event attracting tens of thousands of people, the key challenge is that the environment changes temporarily. Roads that normally carry traffic may become pedestrian areas, temporary entrances and queues can form, and large crowds may gather at predictable times. The risk can also change considerably between build, live event and dispersal periods.
Stadia and Venues
Sports stadia, arenas and event venues face unique and dynamic challenges when it comes to protecting fans, staff and visitors. Matchdays bring concentrated footfall and predictable ingress and egress peaks. Thousands of people may arrive or leave through the same areas around a similar time, while venues still need to manage staff, deliveries, emergency access and surrounding roads. HVM therefore needs to work with matchday and event operations.
Public Realm and City Centres
Public spaces are at the heart of every community, and the challenge is providing protection without stopping everyday life. Town squares and pedestrian areas may be used continuously by shoppers, residents, businesses, cyclists and authorised vehicles. Where HVM is appropriate, permanent or removable solutions can be incorporated into features such as bollards, seating and planters to help keep spaces accessible and welcoming.
Transport and Infrastructure
The challenge here is the constant interaction between people and vehicles. Railway stations, airports and transport interchanges can combine heavy pedestrian movement with taxis, buses, private vehicles and servicing requirements. Risk and operational needs can also change significantly during peak travel periods.
Storefront and Property Protection
The risk to storefronts is often focused on the building or people immediately around it. Shops and other properties may need to consider deliberate ram raids, Vehicle as a Weapon attacks or accidental vehicle incursions. Unlike an event, the requirement may be ongoing, making discreet protection that complements the surrounding environment particularly important.
Does Every Event or Venue Need HVM?
No. Not every event or venue needs Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM), but vehicle-related risk should always be considered.
A good starting point is to ask: could a vehicle physically reach the area where people will be gathering?
If the answer is no, additional HVM may not be needed. If the answer is yes, the next step is to consider the risk and whether any further HVM measures are appropriate.
HVM and Martyn’s Law: What Do You Need to Know?
If you organise events or manage a venue, you may have heard about Martyn’s Law.
Martyn’s Law is the name commonly used for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025. It is named in memory of Martyn Hett, one of the 22 people killed in the Manchester Arena attack in 2017.
Martyn’s mother, Figen Murray OBE, campaigned for years for legislation that would improve security and preparedness at public premises and events. Her campaigning was instrumental in bringing about the legislation that became Martyn’s Law.
The Act received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. It is not yet in force, with the latest official guidance stating that it is expected to come into force in spring 2027.
There have also been important developments during 2026. The Home Office published statutory guidance in April to help organisations understand the Act and prepare for its requirements. The Security Industry Authority (SIA), which will regulate Martyn’s Law, has also been developing its approach and preparing for the legislation to come into force.
The purpose of Martyn’s Law is straightforward: to improve how certain public premises and events prepare for and respond to the risk of terrorism.
How Do the Martyn’s Law Tiers Work?
Martyn’s Law uses a two-tier system, with different requirements depending broadly on the number of people reasonably expected to be present at the same time.
Standard tier applies to qualifying premises where between 200 and 799 people may reasonably be expected to be present at the same time. The focus is on having appropriate public protection procedures in place, so far as is reasonably practicable.
Enhanced tier applies to qualifying premises where 800 or more people may reasonably be expected to be present at the same time. Enhanced tier premises have additional requirements, including taking reasonably practicable measures to reduce their vulnerability to terrorism and documenting the procedures and measures they have in place.
Certain qualifying events with 800 or more people can also come within the enhanced requirements. For an event to qualify, other conditions also need to be met, including requirements around public access and entry controls.
These numbers provide a useful overview, but attendance alone does not determine whether Martyn’s Law applies. The Act contains specific criteria for qualifying premises and events, as well as some exceptions and special provisions.
Does Martyn’s Law Require HVM Barriers?
No. Martyn’s Law does not mandate a specific barrier or HVM product.
The focus is on understanding the risks relevant to your event or premises, considering what is already in place and being able to demonstrate that appropriate steps have been considered.
Where vehicle-related risks are identified, HVM may form part of that wider approach. What is appropriate will depend on the individual circumstances rather than there being a single solution that every event or venue is expected to use.
What Are Reasonable and Proportionate Measures?
One of the most important principles behind Martyn’s Law is that measures should be reasonable and proportionate to the individual premises or event.
That means there isn’t a single standard that every organisation is expected to meet in exactly the same way.
What’s reasonable for a large concert in a busy city centre is unlikely to be proportionate for a small community fair in the countryside. The number of people attending, the location, the nature of the event, available resources, budget and what is practical to implement can all affect what is reasonable.
This is particularly important for smaller events, which may have limited budgets or be organised largely by volunteers. Being proportionate doesn’t mean an event shouldn’t be able to go ahead simply because it doesn’t have the resources of a major stadium, festival or city-centre event.
Instead, it is about understanding the circumstances and doing what is reasonably practical to help make the event safer, reducing risk and potential consequences where necessary.
Ultimately, proportionate security isn’t about doing the most. It’s about doing what is appropriate for the event, the risk and the resources available.
How Do You Choose the Right HVM Solution?
If physical Hostile Vehicle Mitigation is needed, there is more to choosing a solution than comparing barriers or looking for the highest impact rating.
HVM products are designed for different environments and uses. Some are temporary and surface-mounted, while others are designed for semi-permanent or permanent use. How long protection is required, how often the system will be used and the way pedestrians and authorised vehicles need to move through the space will all influence the choice.
Practicality matters too. A solution needs to work within the space available and the day-to-day operation of the site or event. Budget will also play a part, while appearance may be particularly important in places such as city centres, public spaces and permanent venues where security measures become part of the surrounding environment.
Tested performance is a good place to start when comparing products. HVM products can be independently tested to recognised standards such as ISO 22343-1 and IWA 14-1. The resulting rating tells you how that product performed under specific test conditions.
The next consideration is who will be installing or deploying the system.
Ask whether the installation teams have been trained to work with that particular product and whether it will be deployed in line with the manufacturer’s instructions and tested configuration. An impact rating relates to the configuration that was tested, so the same rating should not be assumed to apply to every possible arrangement of the product.
A specialist HVM provider should be able to explain why a particular solution has been recommended, what it has been tested to do and any limitations you should be aware of.
Before choosing a product or provider, useful questions to ask include:
- Has the product been independently tested to a recognised HVM standard?
- What was tested and what does the rating actually mean?
- How long is the protection needed for?
- Will the solution work with the practical demands of the site or event?
- Does it meet the available budget?
- Is appearance important in this particular environment?
- Can people and authorised vehicles move through the space as required?
- Who will install or deploy the system?
- Have those teams been trained to use that particular system?
- Will it be installed or deployed in line with the manufacturer’s requirements and tested configuration?
- If the system will be used repeatedly, what support is available?
Choosing HVM is about finding a solution that meets the security requirement while also working for the people, place, budget and operation it needs to protect.
A specialist HVM provider should be able to explain why a particular solution has been recommended, what it has been tested to do and any limitations you should be aware of.
Hostile Vehicle Mitigation in Practice
Common HVM Myths and Misconceptions
There are a few common misconceptions about Hostile Vehicle Mitigation. Here are four worth clearing up.
MYTH: HVM is the same as traffic management
FACT: They serve different purposes. Traffic management controls the movement of vehicles, while HVM is a protective security discipline focused on reducing risks associated with vehicle-borne threats.
MYTH: HVM is just about barriers
FACT: Physical barriers are only one part of HVM. Effective HVM brings together products and processes, which can include planning, procedures and physical measures.
MYTH: Every event or crowded place needs HVM barriers
FACT: No. Whether HVM is needed depends on the individual location and the vehicle-related risks that have been identified. A crowd alone does not automatically mean barriers are required.
MYTH: The highest-rated HVM product is always the best choice
FACT: A higher impact rating does not automatically make a product more suitable. The right solution needs to meet the identified security requirement while also working for the location and how it is used.
How We Use Our Plan · Provide · Protect Methodology as a Specialist Hostile Vehicle Mitigation Provider
As a specialist Hostile Vehicle Mitigation provider, we see HVM as a service, not a product. Our approach is built around our Plan – Provide – Protect methodology, covering the journey from understanding what is needed through to the delivery and ongoing management of the solution.
Plan
Good HVM starts with understanding the requirement. We look at the location, potential vehicle-related risks, how the space operates and what needs to be maintained for the people and organisations using it.
This creates a clear basis for deciding what the HVM solution needs to achieve before selecting individual products.
Provide
We select independently tested HVM products based on the requirements of the project, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
Due diligence is an important part of this stage. We take time to understand the products we supply, how they have been tested, their correct configurations and their limitations. We also work closely with manufacturers and trusted partners throughout the supply chain, so everyone involved understands what is being supplied and how it should be delivered.
Protect
The final stage is putting the plan into practice. Our trained teams install and deploy HVM systems in line with the relevant manufacturer requirements and specified configurations.
For temporary HVM, there is also ongoing work behind each deployment. This can include logistics, equipment checks, maintenance and storage, helping to make sure the equipment and teams are ready when they are needed.
Each stage is connected, from the initial planning and product selection through to the people responsible for delivering the solution on the ground.
Hostile Vehicle Mitigation FAQs
What does HVM stand for?
HVM stands for Hostile Vehicle Mitigation and is a specialist security discipline.
Is HVM the same as traffic management?
No, HVM is not the same as traffic management. See more here.
What is an HVM barrier?
An HVM barrier is a physical security measure designed to reduce the risk from vehicle-borne threats. It forms part of a wider, risk-led security approach.
Do all events need HVM?
No. HVM should be based on a proportionate assessment of the event, location and vehicle-related risk. Not every event will require physical HVM measures.
Does Martyn's Law require HVM?
No. HVM should be based on a proportionate assessment of the event, location and vehicle-related risk. Not every event will require physical HVM measures.
Who should carry out an HVM assessment?
HVM assessments should be carried out by a competent person with appropriate protective security and specialist HVM expertise.
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