New guidance to prevent use of vehicles as weapons

New guidance designed to prevent commercial vehicles, including vans, lorries, buses, coaches and even cranes, from being used as weapons in acts of terrorism has been published.

Published by the British Standards Institution and sponsored by the Department for Transport, the standard sets out a raft of security measures to prevent criminals and terrorists from accessing commercial vehicles.

It means that, in order to meet the new requirements, operators must improve their knowledge of potential risks and determine which of those risks apply to their business, develop a security management plan, assess risk exposure and put in place management and accountability for security.

To ensure this new standard is met, the government is working with the industry to develop accreditation and certification schemes for commercial vehicle firms, with further details to be announced in due course.

Transport Minister Robert Courts said: “This is vital new guidance which will go a long way to help us in our fight against terrorism and organised crime. I wholeheartedly support this move and the British Standards Institution in their important work.

“Terror attacks and organised crime involving commercial vehicles have had tragic and devastating effects in recent years, with every life lost leaving an unimaginable void in the lives of so many. This government will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the British public are kept safe.”

Attacks on the public involving vehicles, which have been targeted due to their size and potential impact, have had tragic consequences in recent years, including in the Westminster and London Bridge attacks of 2017.