English Tourism Week: The role of perimeter security

As we enter the annual celebration of English Tourism Week, we are proud to acknowledge the positive differences hostile vehicle mitigation offers to tourism destinations across the UK.

Working alongside various sectors, including transport, retail, sport, museums and the arts, English Tourism Week highlights the valuable and vast contribution that the tourism sector has on the UK economy. 

English tourism generates approximately £100.8 billion in revenue a year, employs over two million people, and makes up over 80% of the UK’s total visitor economy. However, although English tourism is a vital framework in supporting UK businesses and the economy, it’s important to recognise the importance of public security needed around these spaces. 

Choosing the correct hostile vehicle mitigation system 

With the constant evolution of terrorism and the ongoing development of new methods to combat it, the convenience of vehicles being used as weapons remains a dominant and hazardous form of attack.

Due to the mass levels of footfall English tourism attracts and the level of threat certain tourism attractions may carry, the correct level of public protection must be in place. To mitigate the risk of an unanticipated vehicle attack, implementing hostile vehicle mitigation measures such as hostile vehicle mitigation bollards and vehicle security barriers, provide a visual deterrent to mitigate the chances of a vehicle-borne attack, providing peace of mind to members of the public.

In order to minimise the damage of criminal or terrorist vehicle-borne threats, over the years, we have successfully implemented vehicle security barriers in many high-profile UK locations, some of which include the likes of the 2012 London Olympics, Wembley Stadium, Central London’s Trafalgar and Leicester Square, Chester’s historic high-street and multiple political buildings.

Considering aesthetics in perimeter protection 

Whilst pedestrian safety and vehicle attack prevention is our top priority, at Heald, we understand that busy tourist spaces may still require a subtle approach or may need to consider historical significance. Therefore, ensuring the bollards don’t stand out as aggressive or dampen the area’s aesthetics is essential. 

Our range of automated rising, sliding and fixed bollards are ideal for allowing warranted vehicle and visitor access as well as looking pleasing to the eye. Whether it’s a historic building, a public tourist venue, or a busy central location, we can provide options to create a high-quality yet subtle design which will blend into the public realm.

Heald has specifically developed a range of surface and shallow mount technology, which is suited for areas where deep mount excavation is not possible. For example, the intelligent design of our Matador range means an area can provide constant pedestrian access while still allowing access for permitted vehicles, such as service or emergency vehicles.

Over the years, we have been incredibly proud to have been chosen as the perimeter protection providers for some of the most high-profile spaces in the UK. Ensuring the English tourism sector remains safe for the millions of visitors is essential. Implementing hostile vehicle mitigation measures is one of the highest forms of protection an area can implement whilst still being subtle and complimentary to the aesthetics and architecture on show.

Do you have tourists regularly visiting your venue? Get in touch to find out which perimeter protection system you should implement: https://www.heald.uk.com/get-in-touch/