We have already seen a rapid installation of protective barriers on a number of bridges in London as one means of increased security following the incident on London Bridge on Saturday. 

Hostile Vehicle Mitigation techniques and documents from the Centre for Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI) show the potential to mitigate “Vehicle as a Weapon” attacks and how that could be blended in to the streetscene.

There are a number of useful guidance documents for improving security:

• Vehicle security barriers within the streetscape (TAL 01/11)
• Bollards and pedestrian movement (TAL 02/13)
• Influence of bollards on pedestrian evacuation flow (TAL 01/16)
• Integrated Security:  A Public Realm Design Guide for Hostile Vehicle Mitigation - Second Edition  (see documents under Guidance)

Mike Walter, in his editorial on security in the April edition of Transportation Professional wrote:  ‘Clever street design can go some way to keeping people safe and there are already examples of protection ‘blended in’ to the streetscene near to critical infrastructure and iconic sites where iconic sites where large groups of people congregate. 

Recent years have seen a trend to de-clutter the urban realm rather than install security measures.  But perhaps this incident – and others from last year including Nice and Berlin – will cause this to change’. 

CIHT would encourage all of its members to mindful of security in all the work that they do.

For further information see: 

CPNI guidance on Hostile Vehicle Mitigation

CPNI’s Passport to Good Security for Senior Executives

CIHT podcast – How to be security minded.