Securing the Gate – Managing Ingress and Egress Threats

Welcome to Securing the Gate, the podcast dedicated to the critical phases of venue operations that often present the highest risks: ingress and egress. Drawing on expert guidance from the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA), we explore why the arrival, departure, and dispersion of crowds are predictable windows of vulnerability for terrorist threats such as Marauding Terrorist Attacks (MTA), Vehicles as a Weapon (VAW), and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED).

Each episode delves into the complexities of crowd dynamics, from the psychological impact of targeting "soft targets" to the challenges of managing Grey Space (or Zone Ex)—those areas outside a venue’s direct control where responsibility for security is often shared or disputed. We provide venue owners, security managers, and event planners with a scalable approach to security, covering everything from Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) and advanced search regimes to the "Power of Hello" through SCaN training.

Learn how to move beyond mere compliance to a culture of "not here, not today" by recording, testing, reviewing, and revising your security plans. Whether you manage a 950-seat theater or a 30,000-capacity stadium, this podcast offers the insights needed to protect your staff and visitors when they are most exposed.

safetydocs.org

The research aimed to identify actions necessary to enhance the perception of private security, revealing that views within the sector itself are mixed. Strikingly, less than half (45%) of security professionals surveyed held a positive view of the sector, and only 20% believed the general perception in society is positive. Security professionals identified the police, politicians, and the general public as the groups likely to hold the most negative perceptions.

Two major barriers impede image improvement:

1. Lack of Recognition of Value (79% barrier): This is largely a conceptual challenge, as security is primarily viewed as a "cost centre" where success is defined by the "absence" of negative outcomes. This paradox leads to undervaluation, causing security to slide down corporate priorities. Consequently, key roles such as frontline security officers and guarding companies are considered the least recognised for their value. This lack of recognition overlooks the critical societal role private security plays in filling resource gaps and reducing the burden on public resources to protect people and places.

2. Actual Performance Weaknesses (75% barrier): This practical issue undermines professionalism and includes concerns over poor recruitment practices, insufficient training, lack of skills (especially communication), and poor appearance among frontline individuals. Interviewees highlighted a major paradox: frontline officers are often perceived as low-skilled and low-paid, yet they carry immense responsibilities, putting themselves at risk and dealing with abuse and violence to keep people safe. This issue is exacerbated by client demands to buy "cheap" security, fostering a "race to the bottom" where suppliers cut corners, perpetuating poor quality provision.

Since no single shortcoming exists, a multi-pronged approach is necessary to gain respect, as all explored actions were highly valued. The top-rated actions (90% importance) focus on enhancing competence and strategic value:

• Demonstrate that security leaders are as competent as other business leaders.

• Demonstrate that private security acts as an 'enabler' (allowing organisations, events, and sites to operate successfully).

• Raise better awareness of the full range of work and skills across private security beyond frontline roles.

• Promote procurement practices that prioritise obtaining good-quality security products and services.

A crucial prerequisite to enhancing perception is tackling the weak points in the quality of security delivered.

At safetydocs.org we are building apps to give security professionals the information thats live and in the palm of their hands

Vehicle Ramming Attacks: Tracking the Surge in a Growing Global Threat
Explore the crucial findings from the Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) on the global phenomenon of vehicle ramming attacks (VRAs). Drawing on MTI’s proprietary database, which catalogues thousands of attacks against public surface transportation dating back to January 1970, this description summarises an update examining the frequency, lethality, and necessary mitigation measures concerning this tactic.
The report highlights a recent, significant surge, with 27 vehicle ramming attacks reported worldwide during the nine months ending July 31, 2025. Since 2012, the vast majority of these incidents have occurred in economically more advanced countries (Group 1 countries). The United States has experienced the most attacks (85) since 2012, followed by Israel and the Palestinian Territories (70). Crucially, the volume of attacks and the number of fatalities are both gradually increasing over time in the U.S..
The motivation behind these attacks is complex: while some are ideologically or terrorist-motivated (such as the deadly 2025 New Orleans attack, the deadliest VRA in the United States, carried out by an army veteran claiming allegiance to ISIS), others stem from non-ideological factors. Mental health issues are commonly reported in many cases. Attacks are often observed to occur in clusters, demonstrating a contagion effect.
We detail the factors that make these incidents lethal, including attacks involving larger, faster vehicles in crowded, narrow spaces, and the high lethality seen in attacks on pedestrianised streets and public gatherings in Group 1 countries. High-casualty incidents often involve rented or stolen vehicles.
The research supports considerations for adapting transportation planning, street design, and event security to the growing threat. Although VRAs can achieve high body counts, the risk of death or capture for perpetrators (approximately 27.1 percent) is a significant barrier compared to historical airline hijackings.

This podcast explores new evidence and foundational assumptions concerning public behaviour during perceived hostile threats, such as marauding terrorist attacks (MTAs) and crowd flight incidents resulting from false alarms.

We challenge the widespread misconception of "mass panic" and "mindless stampedes," which often fail to account for observable actions in real emergencies and historical events like the 1943 Bethnal Green tube shelter disaster. Instead, evidence consistently points to collective resilience, where significant numbers of people cooperate, support each other, and interact socially within the incident itself. This cooperation often stems from an emergent shared social identity, forged by the experience of common fate.

We investigate why false alarm flight incidents occur so frequently in crowded spaces like transport hubs and shopping centres. These events, such as the high-profile Oxford Street false alarm in 2017, are rarely sudden or impulsive. They are often triggered by a combination of factors: the context of recent genuine terrorist attacks providing a framing for threat perception, and the urgent behaviour or communications of other people (a process known as social appraisal). Even during an urgent flight, observed public behaviour is diverse, including hiding, seeking/sharing information, walking away, and supportive actions.

Furthermore, we analyse the complex actions of "zero responders"—members of the public who spontaneously intervene against visible attackers. Analysis of the 2015 Leytonstone tube station knife attack reveals a sophisticated, spontaneous coordination where individuals adopt complementary roles such as defending, communicating, and providing first aid.

The research provides crucial recommendations for policymakers and practitioners to facilitate cooperative behaviour. This includes embedding the psychology of public behaviour in training, prioritising informative and actionable crisis communication over simple emotional reassurances, and building long-term trust with the public. We also discuss how providing resources like first aid kits in transport infrastructure can enable members of the public to act more effectively as zero responders.

Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme, a guidance document from the Home Office that offers funded security measures to certain places of worship and associated community centers in England and Wales. This scheme covers protective items like CCTV, alarms, and secure doors, including installation and one year of maintenance. Eligibility for the program requires the applicant to be a registered charity (or exempt) and demonstrate either a history of or a strong risk of hate crime, while places of worship like Jewish and Muslim centers are directed to separate funding initiatives. Applicants must provide detailed evidence of incidents and explain the impact on their community for the application to be successful.

To apply: https://www.homeofficesurveys.homeoffice.gov.uk/s/placesofworshipscheme/

In this episode of The Deep Dive, we explore ACT for Local Authorities — the UK-wide initiative led by Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) designed to help councils and local government partners integrate counter terrorism measures into everyday operations.

We break down how this programme fits into the UK’s CONTEST strategy, focusing on the Protect and Prepare strands, and discuss why local authorities are uniquely placed to safeguard public spaces. From identifying vulnerabilities in parks, high streets and transport hubs to implementing protective design, training, and preparedness frameworks, this episode explains how local governance and policing work hand-in-hand to protect communities.

You’ll also hear insights on:
✅ The evolving terrorist threat landscape and what “low-sophistication” attacks mean for cities and towns.
✅ The role of Counter Terrorism Security Advisors (CTSAs) and Counter Terrorism Prepare Officers (CTPOs).
✅ How the Maturity Matrix helps councils assess their protective security readiness.
✅ Why this local approach complements Martyn’s Law and makes the UK’s public spaces safer.

🎧 Tune in to learn how collaboration, planning, and awareness can turn every local authority into a frontline defender against terrorism.

👉 Visit safetydocs.org
to access digital safety templates and counter-terror preparedness tools.

The source provides comprehensive guidance on personal security, detailing measures individuals can take to protect themselves and their families from various threats, ranging from criminals to extremists. It organizes advice around three core areas: physical security at home and while traveling, situational awareness for staying safe in public and during meetings, and online security concerning mobile devices and social media use. The document stresses that individuals bear the primary responsibility for their own safety and must assess the appropriate level of protection based on their unique vulnerabilities and the potential level of threat they face. Specific precautions include securing property boundaries, using alarms and locks, being vigilant in public, avoiding predictable travel patterns, and carefully managing personal information shared online to prevent identity theft and "doxing." To get a free family safetydocs.org account, please visit the website

The source provides comprehensive guidance from the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) for developing security policies and procedures to counter threats like terrorist incidents. It focuses on three primary responses—Evacuation, Lockdown, and Invacuation—explaining the purpose and steps for each, which must be adapted to a premises' unique circumstances. The document emphasizes that these plans should differ significantly from standard fire procedures, particularly in communication and alerting methods. Furthermore, it stresses the importance of scenario-based planning and post-incident recovery and debriefing to ensure staff are prepared and procedures remain effective. The overall goal is to support organizations in getting people away from danger through flexible and adaptable response plans. For the digital platform visit https://safetydocs.org