UK based security experts SIDOS believe that putting specialist security techniques to good use can make a huge difference when it comes to protecting crowded places from attacks…
Despite the unpredictable nature of terrorist activity across the world incidents continue to occur utilising simplistic and more sophisticated attack methodologies. Crowded places among them railway stations, continue to present very attractive targets. However, as this article will demonstrate utilising specialist security techniques can make a real difference.
Railway stations are recognised as difficult to secure. Full search regimes for obvious reasons are impractical, the need for unimpeded mass movement remains essential, effective security measures have to be able to encourage legitimate use whilst presenting a hostile environment to those with criminal intent. Securing rail infrastructure requires an awareness and appreciation of the network and its intricacies, a proper industry perspective, it also requires an acknowledgement of the limitations of security measures, being able to recognise specifically what is realistic and appropriate.
It should be accepted that terrorism is a crime where murder is the intention. Therefore the primary aim of counter terrorism design is to minimise injury and deaths. The adoption of proven crime reduction principles could influence likelihood, and with careful design considerations the impact can be reduced, although not mitigated. If an incident occurs the focus from a design perspective should be minimising casualties through material selection and retention through enhanced fixings.
Policing as we understand it, can be properly supported and enhanced through applied appropriate design considerations. The eyes and ears of security can be enhanced and supported through practical design measures such as blast resistant waste bins and more.
Ideally an environment, and within it components, such as glazing and architectural claddings should not negatively contribute to an event, particularly in the case of a detonation. A detonation itself can cause death and injury, but the consequence of the environment adding to the effects will result in an increasednumber of which can be significantly reduced, this must be a primary objective of design.
Designs need to function asintended and architectural visions maintained while incorporating appropriate levels of security. There is ’no one fits all’ solution. Security has to be aesthetically pleasing while allowing businesses and people to function with the minimum of disruption. The adoption of considered crime reduction principles have been shown to influence the likelihood of an event occurring and through specialist input the consequences can be reduced.
Nobody knows when or where the next attack may occur, at a station or other similarly crowded place but with designers, specialist security consultants and expert engineers working together the delivery of new and refurbished facilities will most certainly present more formidable propositions.
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