SAFECROWDS has helped a local authority take the first steps towards building counter terrorism resilience into the urban design of a re-developed town centre as part of a proposed regeneration project.

SAFECROWDS’ Head of Counter Terrorism and Risk Jonathan Neal, went to the town to carry out a threat, vulnerability and risk assessment (TVRA), with the company’s Counter Terrorism Executive, Mark Cavies, who is certified to carry out vehicle dynamics assessments (VDAs).

The site visit follows discussions between the SAFECROWDS team and the local authority, who want to take the opportunity of a planned regeneration scheme to add hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM) protection into the urban landscaping plans for two public realm locations in the provincial market town.

Making improvements with SAFECROWDS

“At the moment, one of the locations in the town is the traditional marketplace and part of the regeneration proposal is to use this not only for regular, seasonal and artisanal markets, but also for events and community gatherings,” said Neal.

“The local authority is considering a pedestrianisation strategy for a second location and would also like to build HVM into the public realm improvements here, to protect shoppers and the nighttime economy.

“By getting SAFECROWDS involved at an early stage of the regeneration plans, the council can ensure that the strategy for hard landscaping these areas is aligned to the threat vulnerability and risk identified by our TVRA and VDA, making protection from vehicle attacks an integral and seamless part of urban planning.”

Neal carried out the TVRA and VDA over a two-day visit to the town and will now provide a full report for the local authority, with recommendations for permanent HVM systems that can be integrated into the public realm.

Discussions will then continue to focus on an optimised solution that mitigates risk, while considering operational, aesthetic and budgetary factors.

The wide-ranging TVRA carried out by Jonathan not only identifies vehicle as a weapon attack threats, but also provides advice and guidance to help reduce the potential impact of multiple attack types.

It will also highlight additional security measures that could improve resilience for the town, such as improved CCTV, integrated lighting, and training and awareness programmes, ensuring a joined up approach to reducing both the risk and impact of terror attacks and criminality.

Finding the correct balance

CEO of SAFECROWDS, Rory McGoldrick adds: “The location is a traditional market town, so part of the challenge will be balancing effective protection with retaining the look and feel of local streets and buildings.

“There are lots of ways we can do this, with HVM that doubles as street furniture, for example, or uses materials that complement the existing urban environment.

“The brilliant thing is, the local authority are not waiting for Martyn’s Law, they are just focusing on how they can integrate pedestrian protection into plans to enhance the public realm.

“Completing the TVRA and VDA are important first steps in that process.”

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