Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM)

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Hostile Vehicle Mitigation

Introduction to vehicle borne threats

Vehicle borne threats range from vandalism to sophisticated or aggressive attack by terrorists or determined criminals. Vehicles (such as cars, vans and lorries) are widely available and terrorists have previously gained access to them through a number of means:

Owned a vehicle is under the attacker's possession
Borrowed a vehicle is lent by an unwitting or complicit associate
Leased a vehicle is hired from a company, using real or fake documentation
Stolen a stationary, unattended (locked or keys in ignition) vehicle is taken
Hijacked an occupied vehicle, parked inside or outside a protected area, is seized.

During a terrorist attack, the driver is unlikely to comply with the rules of the road. They will:

Traverse over green spaces such as fields, recreational ground, parks
Park illegally
Ignore traffic signals
Drive at speed
Drive on the wrong side of the road
Mount footways
Enter pedestrianised zones.

Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED)

An improvised explosive device is either visible or concealed within a vehicle and transported to target.

The effects from a VBIED detonation include the blast, fireball, primary & secondary fragmentation and ground shock.

The blast stand-off (the distance between the device and the asset) is the most important factor in determining the extent of damage that can be caused. Maximising the blast stand-off distance will reduce the damage sustained to the asset.

Vehicle As a Weapon (VAW)

Deliberately driving a vehicle:

at an individual or into crowds of people to cause harm; or
deliberately driving a vehicle into infrastructure to damage or disrupt its operation. This may indirectly lead to harm to people or disruption to the operation of a site/event, or more widely, critical services or supplies.

Driving a vehicle into crowds is regarded by terrorists as attractive because it is likely to cause multiple casualties, is low complexity, affordable, requires little planning and skill and is perceived as less likely to be detected in the planning phase.

VAW attacks are frequently the first part of a Layered Attack. The attacks frequently begin on public roads with little or no warning and are often followed by a marauding attack using bladed weapons, firearms or fire as a weapon.

Layered Attack Vehicle - transporting attackers and / or weapons

A layered attack is a combination of attack types.

The vehicle may:

facilitate the delivery of armed attackers, either covertly or overtly; or
be combined with a VBIED or VAW attack

There are seven exploits terrorists will use to overcome operational and/or physical security measures

What is hostile vehicle mitigation?

Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) is a protective security discipline focussing on reducing risks associated with vehicle borne threats posed by terrorists and criminals. HVM is the delivery of measures that are informed by the threat and how it manifests itself, the multiple consequences of an attack, the vulnerability of a given location and the needs of the enterprise requiring protection. The basis of HVM are security risk assessments, security planning, and design and the deployment of risk-based measures.

Hostile vehicle mitigation measures

HVM measures are the integrated deployment of security processes, procedures and physical obstructions to counter vehicle borne threats. They typically include; deterrent communications, security awareness, incident response planning and training, operational security, traffic management and the deployment of physical obstructions such as vehicle security barriers and traffic calming measures.

Vehicle security barrier (VSB)

A VSB is a product designed to prevent vehicle access. It has undergone testing at an independent and accredited test house, to a recognised vehicle impact test standard and achieved a performance rating in accordance with that standard.

Vehicle barrier

Vehicle barriers are typically products designed to prevent vehicle access by compliant drivers or occupants. They cannot be relied upon to prevent hostile vehicle access.

Determining the type of vehicle-borne threat being faced

It is important to be clear about the vehicle borne threats of concern and how those might manifest themselves, including the potential exploit techniques. Having carried out a security risk assessment, security professionals should produce HVM Operational Requirements. The Operational Requirements process will help draw out many of the key points to consider and how to prioritise the mitigation measures.

Operational requirement

How do I assess the strengths and vulnerabilities of my site to vehicle-borne threats?

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 detailed review of vulnerabilities and opportunities in the environment, operational and physical security measures.
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.

How can I reduce the vulnerability of my site and mitigate vehicle-borne threats?

Based on the project objectives and site assessment, a range of options can be incorporated into the design of a robust HVM strategy:

Principles of hostile vehicle mitigation - determine the aims of the HVM strategy and how it will integrate with other site security measures
Traffic calming - can be used to limit vehicle approach speeds to a manageable level
Vehicle Security Barriers (VSB) - provide proven vehicle impact protection and maintain blast stand-off.
Traffic management - when and how legitimate traffic will access the site
Vehicle access control - consider deployment of active VSB solutions, access procedures, long term operational management and emergency access

Standards, testing and products

What vehicle impact test standards should I be using?

NPSA recommend that a barrier deployed for the purposes of countering terrorism to protect assets against vehicle-borne threats should be a 'Rated Vehicle Security Barrier' that has undergone formal vehicle impact testing. The testing should:

be conducted to a recognised vehicle impact test standard
be performed at an independent test house
achieve a performance rating in accordance with the chosen standard

NPSA have also developed an additional standard for testing: Vehicle Attack Delay Standard (VADS). VADS provides a means for testing Vehicle Security Barriers (VSBs) against aggressive and repetitive vehicle impacts. Learn more here.

Design

A HVM scheme needs to be designed before it is installed. Implementing the Operational Requirements into a scheme design will increase the likelihood of it mitigating the vehicle threat and it being incorporated into the site or event's normal operations.

Understanding the capabilities and limitations of individual products and schemes is vital before they are procured. This includes ensuring they are installed correctly, to maximise the vehicle resistance, and making them intuitive to operate; this will make them safer and more secure.

Public realm integration

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 HVM, NPSA 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.

Anti-Terrorism Traffic Regulation Order

An ATTRO provides a statutory basis under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (RTRA) for regulating traffic and implementing physical security measures to:

avoid or reduce, or reduce the likelihood of, danger connected with terrorism; and
prevent or reduce damage connected with terrorism, where terrorism is as defined in the Terrorism Act 2000.

ATTROs may be permanent or temporary and can only be made by a traffic authority on the recommendation of a Chief Officer of Police.

ATTROs can:

provide for the installation of permanent vehicle control measures;
provide for the installation of temporary vehicle control measures;
provide for the installation of permanent vehicle control measures for later use, for example at times of raised threat or for specific events. These measures may include, for example, the installation of rising security bollards around a city centre used only when a secure conference was being hosted, i.e. whilst the bollard installation is permanent, its use is temporary;
enable the commencement, suspension or resumption of provisions. The provisions also allow for the discretion of a Constable to apply, or not to apply, a provision of an ATTRO;
prohibit parking on a road, for example near a vulnerable site;
restrict pedestrian access to premises in roads affected.

Vulnerability of rising arm and swing arm barriers

Some rising arm and swing arm Vehicle Security Barriers (VSBs) are vulnerable to impact from smaller cars even though they may be able to stop a larger vehicles travelling at speed.

NPSA recommends that rising & swing arm VSBs deployed to protect assets against vehicle borne threats should be tested and rated to the following standards and include an M1 classification vehicle i.e. passenger car:

ISO IWA 14-1:2013; and where necessary
NPSAs Vehicle Attack Delay Standard (VADS), possibly also with an N1G (4x4) vehicle;

In recent years, vehicle borne threats have evolved to include Vehicle as a Weapon (VAW) attacks, with perpetrators using a wide range of vehicles from passenger cars up to lorries. A number of security related incidents and terrorist attacks have involved or used hatchback and saloon cars to target people or attempt to breach perimeters. Their use remains a realistic possibility.

Consequently, following a programme of research and full scale vehicle impact testing, NPSA recommends a full range of potential threat vehicles and attack methodologies (including a range of impact speeds) are considered when developing HVM Operational Requirements. Assurance should be sought during the tender procurement process that the proposed VSB attained the necessary vehicle impact performance rating/s against your identified vehicle borne threats.

For rising arm and swing arm VSBs already in place, discuss your requirements with the original equipment manufacturer. HVM specialist members of the Register of Security Engineers and Specialists will also be able advise you of specific design features that may need addressing.

Engineered design modifications to barriers should not be implemented without first validating the performance through vehicle impact testing as detailed above.

Additional advice may be sought from:

Original vehicle security barrier manufacturers
HVM Specialist Members of the Register of Security Engineers and Specialists
NPSA Security Advisers
UK Government Protective Security Advisers
Police Counter Terrorism Security Advisers (CTSA)

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Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM)

Introduction to vehicle borne threats