Increased terror threat from Covid-19 re-openings

A physical security specialist has warned that the substantial spike in footfall created by Brits flocking back to high streets following months of lockdown will put the public at greater risk of attack.

With non-essential retail outlets, such as Primark and Sports Direct, having re-opened their doors to the public on 15 June, high street footfall soared by 51 per cent overnight compared with the previous week, according to Springboard data, with unprotected queues stretching across several streets in some instances. Public retail spaces, such as shopping centres and retail parks, also saw footfall increase by 41 per cent.

Retail re-openings, as well as beer gardens, hair salons and gyms, are also highly likely to begin reopening from 4 July, meaning that more of the public will frequent open public spaces over the coming weeks.

ATG Access says that the phased re-openings in turn puts the public at greater risk of terrorist activity by increasing civilian density in pedestrianised spaces, increasing the risk of attack methods such as hostile vehicle ramming attacks, wherein a terrorist uses a vehicle as a weapon to target crowds of civilians.

This increased threat has placed councils under pressure to implement measures that can be both deployed quickly to ensure civilians are kept safe and remain in place over the coming weeks while social distancing measures are in place. Long-term, there is also likely to be pressure for councils to balance this need with retaining the societal benefits brought about by lockdown, such as cleaner air through reduced car use and a greater sense of community, leading to calls for more pedestrianised public spaces moving forwards.

In order to strike this balance, ATG Access says that councils must consider: public disruption: pressure on public transport and car park infrastructure; and alienating key stakeholders.

To minimise these consequences, the business has also created a list of additional points councils must consider when implementing protection measures: safety; protection for crowded spaces, such as public squares and high street queues, using security barriers and products in line with the latest government advice; infrastructure and means, such as public bicycles, trains, buses; active promotion of the scheme; signage to provide clear instruction of pedestrianised and protected areas; and alternative routes for vehicles visiting the city to ensure successful segregation.

Iain Moran, director at ATG Access, said: “While the gradual easing of lockdown and the economy beginning to get back on its feet is to be welcomed, we must not forget that the greatly-increased number of pedestrians frequenting unprotected public spaces creates a substantial security threat which cannot be ignored. The queues we have already seen down our high streets, retail parks and other public spaces this week are not likely to be an isolated incident, but rather the new normal over the coming weeks and months while social distancing measures are in place.

“Subsequently, it is critical that government and local authorities act quickly and decisively to keep pedestrians safe from potential attack, while also implementing solutions that both keep the public safe and contribute to more functional, attractive pedestrianised spaces, which will have an ever-greater influence on our public landscapes moving forwards.”