This guidance sets out straightforward steps that can help mitigate the threat of goods vehicles being used in vehicle as a weapon attack.

Purpose of this guidance

As well as helping to keep the public safe by deterring would-be attackers from using your fleet, following this advice will:

  • help prevent acts of terrorism

  • help protect your organisation’s reputation

  • demonstrate your commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility

  • help to improve security culture within your business

  • help reduce crime

The guidance covers security measures for:

  • building and embedding a positive security culture and behaviours

  • personnel security

  • operating centres and maintenance facilities

  • transport managers and drivers

  • vehicles

  • general security issues

The guidance sets out simple steps Transport Operators should take to promote a good security culture in their organisation and help keep drivers, sites and vehicles secure.

A security checklist provides advice for drivers, to reduce the risk of their vehicles being stolen for use in an attack.

Links to a wide range of more detailed official guidance.

Remember, good security = good business

What is a Goods Vehicle?

For this guidance, the term ‘Goods Vehicle’ applies to a vehicle designed to carry goods or materials rather than passengers, from a small van to a large lorry.

What is a Vehicle as A Weapon attack?

A vehicle can be used as a weapon intentionally to injure and kill people. This is referred to as a ‘vehicle as a weapon (VAW) attack’.

VAW is a low complexity methodology requiring little or no training. With a plentiful source of vehicles on UK roads, it is therefore within the capability of individuals to try and steal one and use it in an attack.

Crowded public spaces are targeted by this type of attack. There are a range of online terrorist and extremist materials aimed at inspiring terrorists to carry out VAW attacks and previous attacks have encouraged copycats, who now see VAW as a successful means to cause terror. Lorries and vans pose an increased risk if used in VAW attacks because of their size, profile and weight, all of which increase the potential impact.

This is a real threat: there have been numerous VAW attacks in the UK and around the world in recent years, killing and injuring hundreds of innocent people.

Consequently, VAW remains a likely attack methodology for the foreseeable future.

Following this guidance will help reduce the possibility of one of your vehicles being used as a weapon.

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