Improving school safety zones with perimeter protection

At Heald, we’ve observed a significant trend in recent years: schools are increasingly replacing traditional bollards with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras as part of approaches to security measures. As a leading authority in security solutions, we believe it’s crucial to delve into this shift and emphasise the importance of child-focused safety measures.

Importance of a hybrid security approach

This transition from bollards to ANPR cameras has sparked robust discussions on efficacy and potential drawbacks. While ANPR technology boasts impressive capabilities, concerns have emerged regarding its reliability in ensuring physical protection against vehicular threats. We spoke to Luke Chambers, an AI and criminal evidence specialist, who underscores the importance of a hybrid security approach.

“ANPR is generally very accurate and useful, but like most AI technologies, it can be thrown off by any small deviations from what it expects to see,” Luke explains. “This includes screws in unexpected places on the plate, unusually spaced or sized lettering on custom plates, or even debris like leaves or dirt.”

ANPR cameras and physical security 

Public sentiment echoes these concerns, with parents and teachers voicing the critical role of physical barriers in safeguarding school premises against potential hazards. An anonymous member of a local Facebook page shared their harrowing experience: “The illegal parking around my child’s infant school is becoming increasingly dangerous. A car was inches away from running over pedestrians, including school children and a baby in a pram.”

Luke further highlights that although ANPR has its merits, it cannot predict accidents or protect pedestrians from traffic incidents as physical safety measures can. This underlines the necessity of a hybrid approach, integrating ANPR with physical safety precautions.

Drawbacks of removing bollards

Despite the appeal of ANPR technology, removing bollards presents significant drawbacks that cannot be ignored. These drawbacks include:

Physical security would be weakened: Bollards serve as physical barriers to prevent vehicle incidents, which pose a significant threat to the safety of students and staff at schools. Removing bollards increases the risk of such attacks, leaving school premises vulnerable to malicious intent. ANPR cameras primarily serve as surveillance tools for monitoring vehicle movements and identifying registered vehicles. However, they do not provide physical protection against unauthorised vehicles attempting to breach school perimeters, making them insufficient as a standalone security measure.

Pedestrian safety compromised: Bollards deter deliberate vehicle incursions, help regulate traffic flow, and ensure pedestrian safety outside schools. The absence of bollards increases the risk of accidental collisions between vehicles and pedestrians, especially during busy drop-off and pick-up times. Bollards can also help control parking behaviour and prevent vehicles from encroaching on pedestrian walkways or designated school zones. Without physical barriers, there’s a higher likelihood of traffic congestion and unsafe parking practices near 

Benefits of Adopting Hybrid Security Approaches

On the flip side, adopting hybrid security approaches offers several benefits to schools seeking to enhance their safety measures, including:

Enhanced physical security: While ANPR cameras offer valuable insights into vehicle movements, they are most effective when complemented by robust physical security measures like bollards. By combining the deterrent effect of bollards with the intelligence-gathering capabilities of ANPR cameras, schools can establish a comprehensive security perimeter that prevents vehicle-borne attacks and provides real-time monitoring and threat assessment.

Proactive response to risk: The synergy between physical barriers and technological surveillance enhances overall protection by creating multiple layers of defence against security threats. This integrated approach minimises vulnerabilities and proactively responds to potential risks, safeguarding the well-being of students, staff, and visitors.

School bollards and barriers

Perimeter security solutions appropriate for schools and other educational institutions include, but are not limited to, our Matador, Synergy and Apex products: 

Matador: The Matador’s unique sliding design ensures smooth access for authorised vehicles, including emergency services vehicles that frequently navigate school zones. Furthermore, its flat surface, when retracted, eliminates trip hazards, prioritising the safety of students and pedestrians. With versatile installation options, such as surface mounting for shallow areas, the Matador is ideal for safeguarding school perimeters, offering long-term security solutions.

Synergy: The Synergy system comprises nine fixed bollards on individual baseplates, but it is crash-tested with a configuration of nine interconnected bollards. This design allows for seamless expansion to protect larger areas, including school zones. With no need for pinning, the interlocked bollards ensure straightforward installation and comprehensive protection, mitigating risks and ensuring the safety of students and pedestrians alike.

Apex: Our Apex Static Bollard offers a shallow mount solution to enhance road safety outside schools. Its modular design allows for quick and straightforward installation, making it adaptable to various locations within school premises.

Whether arranged in a straight line or a curved array, the Apex Bollard ensures flexible security solutions tailored to the unique layout of school environments. Its circular shape allows for various aesthetic finishes and covers, seamlessly integrating into school architecture while adding an extra layer of security, prioritising the safety of students and pedestrians.

For more information on the most suitable perimeter protection for schools and educational sites, please get in touch with our friendly team: https://www.heald.uk.com/get-in-touch/