Mourners were protected from the threat of vehicle-borne attacks thanks to one of the largest ever deployments of Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) barriers in UK history.
Mourners who visited Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral and paid their respects in Westminster were protected from the threat of vehicle-borne attacks thanks to years of meticulous planning and one of the largest ever deployments of Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) barriers in UK history.
As the UK’s official National Barrier Asset (NBA) contractor, the HVM team at Hardstaff Barriers immediately sprang into action as the sad news broke of her Majesty’s passing, installing a broad range of barriers and custom-designed schemes securing sites all over London.
These measures ensured that those waiting in line to pay their respects were safe and created a vehicle-free zone encompassing all of Westminster.
HVM barrier systems were also deployed in Edinburgh, where the Queen initially lay at rest, and in Cardiff, during King Charles III’s first visit to Wales as Monarch.
In a matter of days, the Hardstaff teams installed over 50 different schemes to assist with the police efforts, which have been dubbed the “Biggest UK Police Operation Ever,” surpassing the efforts made for the Jubilee and 2012 Olympics.
This tremendous and time-sensitive task was completed in close partnership with the policing bodies, helping to ensure the safety and security of those wishing to pay their final respects to a Monarch who dedicated her life to her country.
Hardstaff Barriers, a division of Hill and Smith, is deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty and is extremely proud to have been able to facilitate and support the police and mourners over recent weeks.
Following the Queen’s funeral, Matt Jukes, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing, said: “It is difficult to put into words the scale of the policing operation over the last ten days, it has been nothing short of incredible.”
“Some of our activity will have brought our officers and the public shoulder to shoulder, other elements they won’t have seen, but hopefully they have been reassured by what they have witnessed.”
A statement on the Protect UK website said: ‘The response has seen a coordinated effort, not just across the public sector, but also from the private sector, who have been an integral part of the delivery, and continued to reinforce vigilance messaging across their sites and gave members of their staff the opportunity to pay their respects.’
“It is difficult to put into words the scale of the policing operation over the last ten days, it has been nothing short of incredible.”Matt Jukes, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing
