After protecting hundreds of events across the UK, we’ve learned a lot about public safety.
One lesson stands out above all others. Effective public safety is about people first, not products.
At Crowdguard, we understand that Hostile Vehicle Mitigation is never just about placing barriers and walking away. National guidance makes clear that HVM should be risk led and proportionate, combining physical measures with planning, operational procedures, and crowd management. Real protection comes from understanding vulnerabilities, operational requirements, and the overall visitor experience, not simply deploying equipment.
Project Manager at Crowdguard, Cameron Ainscough explains:
“During my time at Crowdguard, I’ve learned that real security is as much about people as it is about products. Every site, crowd and organiser is different, so the best solutions come from listening first, planning properly and delivering protection that works in the real world. For me, HVM has never been about putting barriers in the way, it’s about giving people the confidence to gather and celebrate whilst feeling and being safe.”
That thinking shapes how Crowdguard approaches both temporary events and permanent public realm projects. Modern HVM does not need to feel intrusive or unwelcoming. Systems such as Unafor Core can integrate into streetscapes through seating, planters, decorative bollards, and other street furniture, helping spaces remain open and accessible, and permanent projects in city centres such as Bradford and Birmingham have demonstrated how protection can support placemaking and regeneration as well as safety.
Experience on the ground has also reinforced the importance of flexibility and collaboration. Our Senior Operations and Technical Coordinator, Jack Newby says:
“I’ve seen event security from both sides of the fence. Back in operations, I was traveling up and down the country delivering HVM solutions, marking out the footprint, and training clients and their teams on the ground so they felt confident. Now, in sales, I spend my days talking to councils and companies nationwide about risks specific to their sites. Protecting hundreds of events has taught me this: you can’t just apply a one-size-fits-all solution. That’s why our rule of never being ‘equipment first’ matters so much to me. Because I know the physical reality of marking out a site and training the people who will actually run it, when I speak to a client today, I’m not looking at what kit we have sitting in a yard. I’m looking at the most practical, threat-led way to protect their event.”
Mike Cunliffe, Crowdguard’s Technical Sales Manager elaborates, “Public safety is never delivered by one organisation alone. Successful protection relies on collaboration between organisers, local authorities, security teams, traffic management providers, and HVM specialists working together toward the same outcome.”
For Crowdguard, the goal has always been simple. Create environments that feel safe, welcoming, and operationally practical without unnecessary restriction or over specification. Because good protection is about giving people the confidence to enjoy public spaces safely.
Cameron, Mike, and Jack have all completed the SFJ Awards Level 3 Award in Counter-Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness (CTPSaP) and take pride in providing clients with practical, proportionate advice.
As HVM specialists, they combine protective security knowledge with real-world operational experience to help clients understand risk and identify appropriate mitigation measures. Their advice is always tailored to the specific environment, operational requirements and budget, ensuring solutions are practical, proportionate and aligned to the level of risk.
Get in touch with them at info@crowdguard.co.uk to discuss your event.