The National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) is a police unit that supports the ‘protect and prepare’ strands of the government’s counter terrorism strategy.
NaCTSO supports a network of circa 190 counter terrorism security advisors (CTSAs) who work within local police forces as officers and staff. Their primary role is to provide help, advice and guidance on all aspects of counter terrorism protective security to specified industry sectors.
You can download the latest version of the NaCTSO crowded places guidance document here.
Counter terrorism security advisers (CTSAs) are part of the police service and work with businesses and the community to identify and assess sites that may be vulnerable to terrorist or extremist attack.
They also work with trade organisations and professional bodies to ensure counter terrorism protective security advice is incorporated into general crime prevention advice and guidance.
CTSAs work with businesses to:
CTSAs are trained in specialist areas and can provide advice and guidance on:
They are also responsible for the protective security of crowded places (areas where there may be large crowds who could be vulnerable to terrorist attack) for example shopping centres, sporting stadiums, pubs and bars or transport hubs.
Please see our downloadable list of CTSA contact details if you wish to contact the CTSA in your police force area.
The NPSA website provides the following general advice with regards to hostile vehicle mitigation:
Vehicle-borne threats range from vandalism to sophisticated or aggressive attack by determined criminals or terrorists. The mobility and payload capacity of a vehicle offers a convenient delivery mechanism for a large explosive device, although the vehicle itself may be used as a weapon. The following provides guidance that will help practitioners determine the vehicle-borne threat, assess site strengths and vulnerabilities, and identify suitable options for Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) measures.
When specifying the nature of the vehicle-borne threat it is important to understand:
Once the nature of threat is understood, practitioners should take a methodical and considered approach to determine project objectives and highlight security vulnerabilities:
Develop detailed security requirements for HVM – Operational Requirements (OR)
User Requirement Document (URD) if not covered in the detailed requirements – addressing additional business needs e.g. stakeholder liaison, planning and design
Practical site assessment – a layered approach incorporating the local area, blast stand-off, traffic management and vehicle access control
Technical assessment – e.g. Vehicle Dynamics Assessment (VDA) at specific locations based on the relevant threat vehicle(s)
Liaison with technical or security experts – e.g. NPSA or CTSAs, or RSES professionals with relevant experience
Based on the project objectives and site assessment, a range of options can be incorporated into the design of a robust HVM strategy:
Integration of HVM measures within the public realm is increasingly common and whilst requiring the application of informed design choices meeting the needs of numerous stakeholders, can provide proportionate security measures without impinging on the needs of local businesses or functionality of the public space.
In addition to the publication of a public realm design guide for hostile vehicle mitigation CPNI has collaborated with the Department for Transport to produce guidance regarding the incorporation of HVM measures in the public space and specific advice on the use of bollards and their effect on pedestrian movement.
The related documents and pages provide a range of advice on standards and selection of appropriate measures. External links are listed below:
ISO – IWA 14-1:2013 Vehicle security barriers – Part 1: Performance requirement, vehicle impact test method and performance rating
ISO – IWA 14-2:2013 Vehicle security barriers – Part 2: Application
BSI – PAS 68:2013 Impact test specifications for vehicle security barrier systems
BSI – PAS 69:2013 Guidance for the selection, installation and use of vehicle security barrier systems
DFT-TAL 1/16: Influence of bollards on pedestrian evacuation
DfT-TAL 2/13: Bollards and pedestrian movement
DfT TAL 1/11 Vehicle security barriers within the streetscape
NPSA advises that an initial Level 1 Operational Requirements assessment be undertaken to develop an initial view of the potential hostile vehicle issues applicable to the location and how it is operating.
If the level 1 review shows further consideration to be necessary then a more detailed Level 2 Operational Requirements assessment should be undertaken as a follow up measure.
A simple google search will bring up private sector security industry consultancies but how to sort one from another? One way is to look for a company or individual that is listed on the Register of Security Engineers and Specialists (RSES). Another is to look for a company or individual that is a member of the Perimeter Security Suppliers Association (PSSA). Alternatively seek recommendations from contacts within your own sector.