SAFECROWDS completes TVRA and VDA for urban regeneration project

Jonathan Neal (head of counter-terrorism and risk at SAFECROWDS) visited the provincial market town (which, for security reasons, cannot be named) in order to carry out a threat, vulnerability and risk assessment (TVRA) and was accompanied by the business’ counter-terrorism executive Mark Cavies, who’s certified to carry out vehicle dynamics assessments (VDAs).

The site visit followed on from discussions conducted between the SAFECROWDS team and the local authority, with the latter wishing to grasp the opportunity of a planned regeneration scheme to add hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM) protection into the urban landscaping plans for two public realm locations.

Neal explained: “At the moment, one of the locations in the town is the traditional marketplace. Part of the regeneration proposal is to use this area not only for regular, seasonal and artisan markets, but also for events and community gatherings. The local authority is considering a pedestrianisation strategy for a second location and would also like to build HVM into the public realm improvements to protect shoppers and the night-time economy.”

Further, Neal observed: “By virtue of making sure SAFECROWDS was involved at an early stage of the regeneration plans, the local authority can ensure that the strategy for hard landscaping these areas is aligned to the threat vulnerability and risk identified by our TVRA and VDA, thereby making protection from vehicle attacks an integral and seamless part of urban planning.”

Two-day project

Neal and Cavies carried out the TVRA and VDA procedures across 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 also considering operational, aesthetic and budgetary factors.

The wide-ranging TVRA carried out by Neal 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 highlights additional security measures that could improve resilience for the town, such as improved CCTV, integrated lighting and training and awareness programmes. All of this ensures a joined-up approach to reducing both the risk and impact of terror attacks in addition to other acts of criminality.

Balancing act

Rory McGoldrick, CEO of SAFECROWDS, commented: “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 in which we can do this, with HVM that doubles as street furniture, for example, or otherwise uses materials that complement the existing urban environment.”

McGoldrick concluded: “The local authority is not waiting for Martyn’s Law. The keen focus is on how pedestrian protection might be integrated with plans for enhancing the public realm. Completing the TVRA and VDA are important first steps in that process.”

*Further information is available online at www.safecrowds.co.uk