/ By admin / anti-terrorism bollards/ 0 Comments

What To Consider When Purchasing Anti-Terrorism Physical Security

anti-terrorism physical security

Terrorism should never be too far from our minds as business owners, particularly for organisations that operate in sensitive fields. However, as evidenced by the Paris attacks and London bombing – terrorism can strike in any environment. Here we will look at how businesses can protect themselves, how civil environments can be adapted to protect civilians from attacks, as well as what to consider when choosing your physical security solutions.

Protecting businesses from terrorism

The threat of terrorism in the UK remains at a substantial level which means that an attack is perceived likely. For businesses, and particularly those that are deemed to be a high-value target, it is critical to employ strategies that can minimize the impact of any dreadful attempt to cause harm.

The first step in developing a strategy is to work with a perimeter security provider to undergo a risk assessment. This will help you determine which assets are most at threat, any perceived vulnerabilities and any steps that you can take to protect your operations.

For instance, a risk assessment might deep that your main entry point is the most vulnerable to vehicular attacks such as car bombings. To prevent this from happening, they may suggest a tried and tested combination of heavy-duty bollards, gates, and barriers – or road blockers, that could stop the vehicle in its tracks, before it arrives at your premises.

Protecting civilians from terrorism

In 2017, terrorists rented a large van and drove it down a busy street in Barcelona, Spain – killing 13 people and injuring hundreds more. To prevent these types of attacks, those in charge of civil architechture need to consider how they may limit vehicular access. For instance, they might choose to employ a robust system of bollards that can withstand high-speed impacts and shield pedestrians from a high-speed vehicular attack.

Equally, as evidenced by the Manchester Bombing attacks in 2017, terrorists may seek to infiltrate areas where large groups of people are gathered such as sporting arenas and music venues. To prevent this type of attack, bag searches should be conducted alongside scanning systems and tools like floor-to-ceiling turnstiles.

What to consider?

Businesses need to be able to balance their organisational duties and operational constraints with their need to shield themselves from terrorism and for planners to keep public spaces welcoming and friendly.

Heavy duty perimeter security equipment is by nature imposing and tough, this is to send a message to would-be criminals that their attempts to cause harm will be thwarted. However, by incorporating natural foliage like trees and bushes close by, you can retain a sense of calm and maintain your desired aesthetic for everyday visitors.

Different tools offer different options and often there are ways to adapt your anti-terrorism tools to your needs. For example, bollards can be chosen in a retractable form which means that you can sink them to the ground when required.

Gateway Automation can help businesses and organisations to protect their assets from serious crime with minimum disruption while maintaining safe and comfortable working environments for clients, contractors, customers and other highly important individuals. For a free no-obligation quotation and feasibility survey please contact Gateway Automation on 01522 682255. Alternatively, download our brochure

/ By admin / anti-terrorism bollards/ / 0 Comments

The Importance of anti-terrorism perimeter security

anti-terrorism security

Threats of domestic and international terrorism and actual acts of terrorism have been a constant danger in the UK. The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre and the Security Service (MI5) grade the National Threat Level at five levels (low, moderate, substantial, severe, and critical). Currently, in the UK this level is deemed to be ‘severe’, which means that according to their understanding, an attack is highly likely.

While members of the public are at risk as much as organisations (as shown by the 7/7 London Bombing attacks for instance) businesses must be also vigilant in the face of terrorism – particularly those that operate in sensitive fields.

Sensitive operations

Some businesses and organisations by their very nature can become targets for political or religious agendas. This may come in the form of general online sentiment, physical protest, sabotage or even terrorist attacks.

Infrastructure targets

Elsewhere businesses and organisations can fall into the crosshairs of terrorists due to their standing within UK infrastructure. For example, terrorists looking to cause the most harm possible may seek to exploit water or energy plants to cause widespread disruption and harm.

How to prepare

To mitigate the risks of an attack, it is, of course, important to create dialogues with local and national policing groups who can advise on the likelihood of attacks and, where they are able, brief you on threats. However, with the frequency and unpredictability involved, it makes sense for those targets that are of particularly high risk to take pre-emptive measures to adequately protect themselves.

The first step is to undertake a full risk assessment with a specialised provider. An experienced professional should take into account the nature of your operations, the size of your site, and the possible threats and create a list of bespoke recommendations for you to consider.

There are many tools for the job, and their recommendations may come in the form of both specialised and more general advice and equipment solutions.

To guard against the risk of intrusion, sabotage and protest, you might be advised to utilise turnstiles and barriers. These simple but effective tools can provide the first line of defence and afford maximum control over who gets in and out of your property. Bollards are another key way to afford protection and can be either fixed or retractable, allowing additional defence in case of a power outage.

Equally, specialised tools like our bi-folding anti-terrorism gates offer unique properties that are created with neutralising threats in mind. The bi-folding gate is powered by an electric motor with a hydraulic locking pin and features eagle fibre technology and quality bearings and rollers. While the sliding cantilever is the widest gate currently tested at 40mph and 50mph with a 7.5T (N2 and N3) vehicle.

Elsewhere there may opportunities to manage vehicular traffic through crash tested road blockers. These are a commonly used tool for government, financial and private organisations looking to prevent a vehicular terrorist attack which has been a rising occurrence in recent years.

Tough external perimeter security can act as a key deterrent to terrorists seeking to gain entry to a site. However, interior protections should not be overlooked as damage can be caused internally also, whether through physical acts of harm, sabotage or theft. However, pedestrian access can be boxed off through tools such as keypads, biometrics, fobs, and other access control equipment.

It can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to deciding which security strategies are going to be most effective at a site, which is why it is important to begin with a risk assessment. Here at Gateway Automation, we can provide you with a free, no-obligation quotation and feasibility survey to assess your perimeter security requirements. To find out more please contact Gateway Automation on 01522 682255.

/ By Gateway Team / anti-terrorism bollards • bollards/ 0 Comments

Bollards – a vital tool to protect the public from vehicular assaults

Bollards - a vital tool to protect the public from vehicular assaultsUnimposing and commonplace in public areas, bollards are often ignored or only subconsciously acknowledged by the public as they go about their business. However, they play a critical role in their safety and increasingly are being turned to by councils and organisations as a security tool.

While bollards have always played a crucial role in defending pedestrians from road traffic accidents and diverting traffic away from areas where there are lots of people on foot, today we see their role being adapted for a new purpose – defending against terrorist attacks.

Over the past few years, terrible attacks against pedestrians have been witnessed in some of the world’s biggest and most populous cities including Barcelona, Charlottesville, Berlin, London, New York, Nice, Stockholm, and the West Bank. The attacks have seen vehicles being used as weapons and driven into large groups of people causing mass casualties and deaths.

This new form of terrorist attack presents challenges to the security services as they are often unexpected, and can be undertaken without too much advanced planning and preparation. In some cases, the drivers have then gone on to exit vehicles and begin a melee attack on innocent pedestrians who are left standing after the attack, and this continues until emergency services are able to make it to the scene and apprehend the attackers.

To prevent these kinds of attacks, many city planners and organisations are turning to security tools such as bollards to deter vehicular assaults and stop terrorists in their tracks. Iconic landmarks such as London Bridge and York Minster are being fitted with anti-terrorist bollards to provide protection against impact collisions from vehicles, thereby protecting flocks of tourists who visit these landmarks every day.

Here at Gateway Automation, we provide a range of equipment that can be used down to halt vehicular attacks including Crash Tested Road Blockers and purpose built Anti-Terrorism Bollards like the XPass B 330/1200, XPass B 275/800, and Ranch D 275/800. To find out more, please call us on 01522 682 255 or request a quote

/ By Gateway Team / access control equipment • anti-terrorism bollards • automatic rising kerbs • barriers • bi-folding gates • crash tested road blockers • harbour security • maritime security • port security • sliding gates • swing gates/ 0 Comments

Maritime Security: the role of Access control at ports and harbours

maritime securityPorts and harbours are busy, complex environments with large numbers of people and goods moving in and out of them every day. Traditionally the nature of ports and harbours have made them a target for criminal gangs and smugglers, however the maritime industry now also faces the very real threat of terrorism due to the vital input that harbours and ports have in the UK’s economy. Here we will look at how access control equipment can play a critical role in defending vessels, cargo and protecting the supply chain in maritime environments.

First, it’s important to understand that, as with almost every type of premises, there is no ‘magic bullet’ solution to deal with the threat of crime. Any approach to security at ports and harbours should revolve around a holistic strategy. This means a combination of both physical security options like access control equipment, lighting and CCTV as well as operational security through manned guarding and checkpoints, as well as a company culture that puts security and identification at the forefront of operations.

What role can access control equipment play?
In a nutshell, access control equipment serves to control the access of vehicles and of persons into a port or harbour. This in turn can help to reduce the threat of smuggling, disruption to trade, theft and potential terrorist attacks. Every port is of course different, and measures need to be identified appropriately through a risk assessment, but there are several options available which will likely have a positive impact in the protection of a port or harbour.

One of the toughest security solutions that we provide is the GA80000 Automatic Rising Kerb. A formidable first line of defence against unwanted vehicle access, it is a strong visible deterrent with yellow and black warning stripes and tall stature to stop cars, vans and lorries.

We also offer anti-terrorism bollards and impressive crash-tested road blockers to deal with potential terrorist attacks aimed at disrupting UK infrastructure.

Barriers are an important way of controlling access to only authorised and scheduled visitors. We provide fully automatic barriers which can be controlled by push-buttons, tokens, proximity cards, pins, CCTV or by on-site security guards.

Swing gates,  sliding gates and bi-folding gates are among the strongest barriers to unauthorised entry and a strong physical deterrent.

Gateway Automation can help the maritime industry to protect their assets from crime with minimum disruption and while maintaining safe and comfortable working environments for staff and customers. For a free non-obligation quotation and feasibility survey please contact Gateway Automation on 01522 682255. Alternatively, download our brochure