While CCTV has a role to play in the delivery of effective security measures, it is possible that there is an over-reliance on this type of technology at the expense of conventional tried and tested front line physical defence strategies, which can be defined as traditional perimeter fencing and access solutions. Richard Jackson, chief executive of Jacksons Fencing, the perimeter product company, comments.
A failure to consider this most logical form of security can prove potentially catastrophic, as demonstrated by two recent high profile security breaches. The day before Queen Elizabeth II opened the new Terminal Five (T5) at Heathrow, a man was arrested after scaling the airport’s perimeter fence, triggering a major security alert. Installation of an effective perimeter fence is of paramount importance to secure obvious targets such as a busy airport. Similarly when the historic Olympic Torch Relay was marred by the 37 arrests which were made after clashes between pro-Tibet protesters and police as the Olympic torch made its way through London, it was evident that insufficient thought had gone into establishing a clear boundary between the formal procession and the general public. These case studies underpin the overarching requirement to deliver a well-designed physical perimeter security solution to act as both a visual deterrent and physical barrier. Surveillance alone will not prevent determined individuals from accessing a site.
Richard Jackson, chief executive of Jacksons Fencing, considers what factors need to be taken into consideration to create an effective physical line of defence capable of withstanding the increasingly sophisticated threats to site security.
"Perimeter security does not simply mean putting up a few fences and some barbed wire in the hope that trespassers will keep out. In today’s climate of threat, a multitude of factors need to be considered to achieve a well-designed solution.
Effective security protocol should always begin with the installation of a reliable, fit for purpose barrier that both completely surrounds and is appropriate to the site, with strategically located access points for entrances and exits to effectively manage the flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic. High security perimeter barriers are typically made from steel which boasts added strength and durability. However, other materials including timber can be equally effective in applications where legacy is a consideration. Whether the barrier is a vertical bar, mesh or solid panel it should be free from hand or footholds to inhibit climbing or scaling. An effective barrier should also avoid having any obvious rivets or joints that can be forced or popped out – since this tactic is the most frequently used means of gaining unauthorized access to a site. A seamless panel construction which features a fully welded tubular pale-through-rail construction offers a more secure barrier than a generic palisade fence, since the vulnerable points (for example exposed post fittings) that may compromise the efficacy of the fence have been removed.
Whilst the use of spikes, barbed tape or sharp pales provide an effective deterrent to prospective trespassers, this visually imposing solution may not be deemed suitable for all sites. For instance, for sites bordering residential areas one might consider using Jacksons’ Barbican Defender Xtreme panels which feature a curved pale to prevent intruders from scaling or climbing the fence from any side, rather than adding an extra security topping such as Viper-Spike. For situations which demand an even more subtle response, a product such as EuroGuard Combi with its steel mesh frame incorporating timber slats offers an aesthetically pleasing solution – but with absolutely no compromise on security.
Once an effective and appropriate perimeter barrier is selected it should ideally be supported by active deterrent and detection schemes such as CCTV and a perimeter intrusion detection system. For the Athens Olympic Games, security advisors chose the Jacksons Jaktronic intruder detection system. This combined a vibration activated fence sensor system with fully integrated site management software to trigger other security devices including CCTV, alarms and lighting in the event of an attempted breach. This integrated approach reinforces the effectiveness of the perimeter barrier as well as providing security staff with the intelligence they need to assess and respond appropriately and safely to threats.
It should be noted that a high security perimeter system must take into consideration the requirement to be able to lock-down the perimeter to facilitate a "clean" security sweep of the secure area.
Finally, safety features should be incorporated into the perimeter at design stage, mos especially within crowded spaces to allow the rapid, controlled evacuation of a large number of people. Failure to incorporate these needs into the system design could result in a weak link in the integrity of the overall security architecture.”
