Embedding protective security in the design process in a market town
Guidance from the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) indicates that permanent hostile vehicle mitigation is generally the preferred long-term solution to protect people in outdoor spaces where people routinely gather or circulate, such as public realm squares, markets and pedestrianised areas.
The most efficient and cost-effective approach to enhancing the security of public realm locations with proportionate, permanent HVM measures is to consider threat vulnerability and risk as part of the design process for any public realm development projects. That’s exactly what has happened at a current project in a market town in the north of England, where SAFECROWDS GROUP were involved at a very early stage of the design phase to carry out a Threat, Vulnerability & Risk Assessment (TVRA), including a Vehicle Dynamics Assessment (VDA). Their TVRA and VDA enabled them to make recommendations that are being incorporated into a major public realm regeneration project.
A public realm for all
The regeneration project aims to enhance this typical Victorian market town, enabling its market square to become a space that brings people together, not only for markets, but also for shows and events.
In addition, the plans include closing a road leading away from the market square to traffic, creating a pedestrianised shopping street.
SAFECROWDS GROUP’s brief was to consider public safety and the protective security principles reflected within the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act (Martyn's Law), as part of a TVRA that assessed Vehicle as a Weapon (VaW) threats, vehicle borne threats, and wider protective security considerations. SAFECROWDS GROUP was then able to report back on their findings to recommend a hostile vehicle mitigation strategy, along with suggestions for HVM barriers, and other security enhancements.
A collaborative approach
Specialists from SAFECROWDS GROUP’s qualified counter terrorism team visited the town to carry out the TVRA and VDA, working with the local police counter terrorism security advisor (CTSA), the council, the architects, and their in-house crowd management professionals to gather a full understanding of the specific risk profile of the location. Carrying out a Vehicle Dynamics Assessment (VDA) alongside the TVRA ensured that engineering analysis, rather than assumption, underpinned their recommendations .
Alongside the security considerations involved in SAFECROWDS GROUP’s TVRA, the company also focused on operational criteria. Any HVM designed into the public realm needs to be viable for all stakeholders and enable safe crowd flows during busy periods. It was clear from the VDA that appropriately rated bollards would be required for both the market square and to limit vehicle access to the pedestrianised road. SAFECROWDS GROUP’s report included recommendations on both the rating and type of barrier, suggesting that the project team specify the Side Slider 30 HVM Barrier, as this manually operated barrier from Safetyflex provides effective protection against vehicles of up to 7,200kg travelling at speeds of up to 48kph, but can be removed to enable deliveries or emergency vehicle access.
Cost considerations were also factored into SAFECROWDS GROUP’s recommendations, to ensure that their approach did not focus exclusively on the capital investment required to install hostile vehicle mitigation measures in the town centre, but also looked ahead to the operational costs of different systems. This was an important element of the proposals because, while the regeneration project has secured external funding, the ongoing maintenance and operational costs of the HVM measures will remain the responsibility of the local authority.
Finally, SAFECROWDS GROUP’s recommendations also needed to consider the aesthetics and heritage of the location. The market square is not only at the heart of the town, but also part of the town’s 19th century character. For this reason, SAFECROWDS GROUP suggested that the HVM be finished with black shrouds to resemble traditional cast iron.
By engaging at the design stage, security requirements could be integrated into the wider public realm scheme, avoiding costly redesigns and ensuring that safety, accessibility, operational functionality and aesthetics were considered together rather than in isolation.
Looking Beyond Hostile Vehicle Mitigation
As always, SAFECROWDS GROUP’s TVRA and recommendations went above and beyond hostile vehicle mitigation to consider the town centre’s complete risk profile.
The company considered the parking locations and dwell time, the impact on traffic movements and pedestrian footfall, and the location for CCTV cameras, lighting and street furniture to mitigate risk across the area earmarked for redevelopment.
As the design phase continues, SAFECROWDS GROUP will continue to support the project team as the proposals move towards delivery, helping to create a public space that is welcoming, accessible and resilient, and allows people to go about their daily lives with greater confidence.