Earlier this year, a member of the public entered a concrete plant in a metropolitan area and engaged with drivers to enquire after potential work opportunities.
The individual left the site but returned shortly afterwards, gaining access to one of the vehicles loading under the plant and removing personal and company property.
Whilst on this occasion the action only resulted in theft from a vehicle, this incident serves to highlight the risks if site or vehicle security is not being effectively maintained.
In the last few years there have been a number of terrorist attacks across Europe where a vehicle has been used as an improvised weapon. It is also worth noting that in several of the attacks, the drivers of the vehicles concerned have ended up being overpowered, and in some cases killed. The most recent incident took place in Germany on the 7th October 2019, when a stolen HGV was deliberately crashed into a number of stationary vehicles resulting in a number of injuries.
As an industry, MPA members operate a large number of HGVs in urban areas around the country. While London is clearly a focus, incidents elsewhere in Europe have highlighted that any urban area has the potential to be viewed as a target.
The types of operations industry vehicles undertake can involve vehicle engines being left running both on and off site on a routine basis, which makes them especially vulnerable.
There are various steps that can be taken to counter these risks which are set out in the MPA Drivers Handbook, but the most significant action is to recognise that the threat exists in the first place by raising awareness amongst staff. Attacks are rarely undertaken on the ‘spur of the moment’, and most require a degree of planning and prior preparation.
The Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI) – a government agency that reports to MI5 – offers helpful guidance. It outlines what individuals looking to undertake any form of criminal activity are looking to achieve in advance of any action and gives some simple steps that can be taken to disrupt what is described as ‘hostile reconnaissance’:
- DENY individuals the opportunity to gain information
• DETECT them when they are conducting their reconnaissance
• DETER them by promoting failure through messaging (signs warning of CCTV coverage) and physical demonstration of effective security (challenging individuals on site)
If any suspicious or unusual behaviour is observed at or near a vehicle, site or office, this should be reported to site management, so it can be logged and potentially reported to the police (via the 101 service).
Members are also encouraged to highlight incidents to Colin Jones, CEMEX UK Security Manager colinpeter.jones@cemex.com or John Sweeting john.sweeting@cemex.com to assist coordination with the national police service.
A PDF version of this safety alert is attached for information. Members are encouraged to circulate this information across their businesses as appropriate.