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THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR SECURITY TECHNOLOGY – www.counterterrorbusiness.com
PERIMETER SECURITY
A BLOW TO EDUCATION Over the last decade there have been a variety of isolated attacks on schools and higher education facilities throughout the world. ATG Access examines how educational establishments can increase their security to protect them from external threats
The Nanping school stabbings in China were one of the more high profile incidents of attacks on educational establishments in recent years, along with a Rio de Janeiro school shooting, gun man attacks in US universities and even an explosive device being detonated in an Institute of Technology, Estado de Mexico. The sad reality of these individual attacks means that an increase in education complex security is of paramount importance. To be able to control who accesses colleges and schools is key to monitoring the level of risk an environment is subjected to. To live in a world monitored so closely turns everyday life into a ‘Big Brother’ reality but if these are the measures which are needed to keep children and staff safe then the extra rigour is worthwhile. ATG Access have been working with a variety of different schools and universities to implement the measures necessary to control access to campuses across the UK and internationally. Whether it is installing a duel bollard system to secure the entrance of a building and car park linked to a school reception or multiple high-security bollards to prevent an explosive device being detonated; ATG Access will endeavour to find a solution. EDUCATION POSES A CHALLENGE One of the greatest challenges for any education establishment is balancing the need to create an open and stimulating environment that encourages learning, while ensuring that the people and buildings are protected from the threats of a vehicular attack or an unwanted intruder. Investment in equipment is higher now
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COUNTER TERROR BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Issue 15
than ever before and the focus on reducing accidents or a vehicular attack to protect staff and pupils has put an unprecedented focus on security. With ATG’s products, experience and reliability, they are able to identify, advise and implement measures that will address the education sectors current and future security needs. The National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NCTSO) has produced a range of reports to offer protective security advice for a variety of sectors. They state that there is a balance to be stuck between a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for the public and implementing the necessary measures to reduce your environments vulnerability to terrorism and intruder risk. KNOW YOUR ACCESS POINTS Access control plays a major part in controlling an environments vulnerability. The NCTSO advise to keep access points to a minimum, put restriction in place to ensure vehicles are kept at a safe distance from your premises (the recommended space being 30 meters). These traffic calming measures should be robust, well signposted and lit. They must fit into the surrounding environment avoiding a ‘fortress mentality’ but providing a reassuring presence to deter any would-be-attackers. One of the NCTSO reports is targeted at
protecting higher and further education facilities. Many educational sites across the country and worldwide have already benefitted from ATG’s expertise. Port Regis school in Dorset have had an automatic bollard system installed to control traffic and visitor access to the secluded, private school. The system has been a great success allowing the facility managers at the complex to have complete control over vehicle access to the site. Eltham College, London was another project which ATG Access secured. The ATG Access VP200 automatic bollards were built to the highest quality standards and proved to be the perfect solution for access control to this campus. Access control was required for Eltham College and the adjoining YMCA building. ATG Access supplied and installed two separate automatic bollard systems both linked via an intercom which was hard wired to the main reception. Both installations were fitted with a time clock which allows the bollards to be automatically lowered twice a day: opening and closing times. When required the bollard system can also be operated via a linked telephone system. HIGH SECURITY SOLUTION ATG Access also successfully completed a project in Bahrain to secure the American School in Manama. Bahrain has a strong American community due to its geographic and political location. They had a natural interest for a high security solution for the multiple entry points around the school. Thirty two high security automatic bollards divided into several sets were provided to offer a high security solution around the campus. The emergency fast operation (EFO) system was required in case of a terrorist-attack. Bollards were fitted with stainless steel sleeves to make sure the aesthetics matched the prestigious site. A wide range of educational facilities are beginning to think about perimeter security and access control on their campuses due to the changing political environment. It is better to prevent damage to your site before an attack happens rather than providing damage control after a violation of security occurs. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.atgaccess.com
One of the greatest challenges for any education establishment is balancing the need to create a stimulating learning environment, while ensuring that the people and buildings are protected