- robust new guidance published to minimise risk of commercial vehicles being used in an attack
- operators encouraged to improve knowledge of potential risks and develop rigorous security plans
- latest step taken by government to boost safety and reduce likelihood of terrorists and criminals gaining access to commercial vehicles
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 today (10 May 2021).
The standard, which has been published by the British Standards Institution (BSI) and sponsored by the Department for Transport, sets out a raft of security measures to prevent criminals and terrorists from accessing commercial vehicles.
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
- put in place management and accountability for security
Other requirements will include checks of drivers' references and previous employment history and also regular visual checks of vehicles for signs of tampering.
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