As the trusted contractor for the UK Government’s National Barrier Asset (NBA) framework, security and safety are at the heart of Hardstaff Barriers’ work.
While undertaking this important role, the company has provided Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) barriers for a variety of high-profile events – from the State Opening of Parliament to visits from overseas politicians. The NBA is a government framework for surface-mounted HVM products, such as high-security gates, pedestrian portals and barriers, which are designed to prevent vehicle attacks on key structures or crowded spaces. The NBA is available to all public and private sector organisations.
In recent years, Hardstaff Barriers have provided safety barriers at numerous prestigious events including Wimbledon, London Marathon, Lords Cricket Ground, Trooping the Colour, State Opening of Parliament and visits by the President of the United States.
The NBA has been deployed at other important events including conferences for the Labour and Conservative parties, UEFA Champions League Final, Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, Notting Hill Carnival, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, MTV Music Awards at Wembley, Trafalgar Square U2 music event and Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.
Hardstaff’s clients include police forces, National Counter Terrorism Police, security services, major event providers, airport operators, construction firms, highway maintenance providers and a nuclear power station.
The company’s UK expertise has been recognised by securing similar frameworks in Europe, supplying barrier systems to the Dutch Police and Government as part of a joint venture.
Its range of HVM products provide protection against vehicle as a weapon attacks, which have been a factor in many terrorist incidents. As a result, HVM measures have significantly increased across London and the rest of the UK over recent years.
In June 2017, eight members of the public were killed and 48 people were injured after a van was driven into pedestrians on London Bridge. Three attackers then exited the vehicle and stabbed people in nearby pubs.
After the atrocity, the NCTPHQ requested the urgent installation of HVM systems on the eight London Thames bridges with immediate effect. Hardstaff delivered the requested barriers the very same evening.
Over the following week, Hardstaff completed the installation of HVM products on Westminster Bridge, Vauxhall Bridge, Lambeth Bridge, Waterloo Bridge, Blackfriars Bridge, Southwark Bridge, Tower Bridge and London Bridge to protect and keep people safe.
The rapid delivery of these key installations across London astonished many stakeholders and exceeded expectations.
Over the following months, Hardstaff worked closely with the police, councils and bridge owners to amend the deployments, allowing access to bridge chambers and helping to minimise carriageway, footway and cycleway obstructions.
Hardstaff is a corporate partner of the Security Institute and holds a number of important accreditations for the supply, installation, repair, maintenance and removal of HVM products, including ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001.
The company also holds a Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) Gold standard, which is only awarded to exceptional fleet operators. Niall Griffin, Hardstaff Secure General Manager, said:
“Hardstaff Barriers has been involved in the deployment of surface-mounted HVM since its inception.
“Our operatives’ experience, coupled with my own knowledge from time served as a Counter Terrorism Security Co-ordinator, make our team as strong as the protection we can provide.”