SAFECROWDS Group launches accredited online HVM training course

The course is designed to help practitioners gain a better understanding of protective planning. Accredited by Highfield and The CPD Certification Service, the new course adds to the training offer of the SAFECROWDS Group Academy, which boasts a proven track record when it comes to delivering online and in-person courses.

This training has been developed by SAFECROWDS Group’s educational experts in collaboration with their experienced counter-terrorism and crowd safety subject matter specialists and provides an overview of vehicle borne threats, HVM strategy considerations and the varied types of temporary and permanent HVM barriers currently available.

Rory McGoldrick, co-managing director of SAFECROWDS Group, explained: “Our Level 2 Protective Planning: An Introduction to Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) course has been specifically designed to provide learners with a practical introduction to HVM principles and protective planning in a flexible, accessible and affordable format. The course can be completed entirely online, allowing participants to learn at their own pace from any location.”

Introduction of Martyn’s Law

For the first time, the course makes specialist HVM knowledge accessible to a wider audience at what is a pivotal moment for organisations across the UK. As the compliance requirements relating to the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (also known as Martyn’s Law) near enforcement, many organisations are reviewing their preparedness, duly enhancing protective security measures and investing in developing their teams.

SAFECROWDS Group has already received a very positive response from safety officers and local authorities when previewing the accredited Level 2 course at the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) Conference in May, with delegates keen to benefit from the affordability and self-paced flexibility the online course offers for learners.

When they sign up for the Level 2 course, learners gain access to the content, which includes a series of interactive modules covering key topics (among them the nature of vehicle-borne threats, the role of HVM within wider protective security strategies, the differences between temporary and permanent mitigation measures and crowd flow rates).

The course also includes knowledge assessments throughout, with learners required to respond correctly to at least 80% of questions by the time they reach the end of the course. All participants who successfully complete the education programme receive an accredited certificate from Highfield and The CPD Certification Service.

Increasingly important consideration

McGoldrick continued: “HVM is becoming an increasingly important consideration for organisations responsible for public safety, particularly so as preparations for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 continue across a wide range of sectors.”

He went on to state: “We wanted to create a course that makes high-quality and accredited HVM training accessible to as many professionals as possible. By delivering the course online, we’ve ensured that learners at this level can develop their knowledge without the cost and logistical challenges associated with attending classroom-based training.”

The Level 2 course is the first in a series of courses that SAFECROWDS Group is developing to support individual security professionals and organisations that want to upskill their team members in relation to vehicle-borne threats. The company is developing accredited Level 3 and Level 4 courses for delivery in a classroom-based environment. These are due to be released later in the year.

The accredited Level 2 course launch comes amid growing awareness of the role effective protective planning can play in reducing risk and enhancing resilience across public venues, events, sports grounds, places of worship, transport hubs and other publicly accessible locations.

Operational commitments 

Unlike traditional classroom-based programmes, the online format removes restrictions on learner numbers and allows individuals and organisations to complete training around existing operational commitments.

“Whether someone is looking to build a foundation in HVM, refresh their existing knowledge or support their organisation's wider preparedness planning,” concluded McGoldrick, “our Level 2 course offers a practical and flexible starting point.”

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

**Booking details for the Level 2 course on Protective Planning: An Introduction to Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) can be accessed at https://tinyurl.com/2twv4u8x