Over 500 expert personnel from G4S’s specialist Events division worked in partnership with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Metropolitan Police Service and the management of the ExCel Centre – the venue, of course, that played host to the Summit – to develop and deploy a range of specialist security services that would protect Heads of State, finance ministers and Central Bank governors in attendance.
Prior to the Summit in Docklands, G4S assisted the police in securing the venue such that the police search and seal operation could begin. During the event period, G4S officers provided a range of security and stewarding services at the Centre, including access control monitoring, static security guarding, escorting searched vehicles and maintaining an inner security cordon inside the ExCel Centre and the main press, delegation and Leaders event halls.
In addition to this work at the ExCel Centre, officers from G4S Aviation Services were deployed on behalf of the British Airports Authority (BAA) to conduct ‘central search’ security screening for G20 delegates flying into and out of Gatwick Airport.
It’s also worth noting that G4S was employed by HM Treasury to provide security services at the G20 Finance Ministers Conference which ran from 13-15 March in Horsham, West Sussex.
Multi-faceted operation made good
Looking back on the G20 Summit’s security provisions, Mark Hamilton – managing director of G4S Events, which has now been providing crowd management services to the events sector for over 25 years – commented: “This was a multi-faceted operation for us, and involved the deployment of specialist officers from across our business to ensure that police resources could be deployed effectively, and not be diverted from other critical operations.”
Hamilton then explained: “Our experience of providing security at a range of high profile and sensitive events ensured that we were able to work closely with the Met, the FCO and managers at ExCel to ensure that this significant Summit took place without incident.”
G4S Events is widely regarded as one of the foremost independent event security companies. Indeed, the company secures a wide range of high profile events such as the Labour Party Conference, The Grand National, The Championships at Wimbledon and venues including Ibrox Stadium, the home of the mighty Rangers.
Perimeter protection plays significant role
From the moment President Obama stepped off Air Force One at Stansted Airport on 31 March, the world’s most powerful leader was protected by Corus Bi-Steel systems.
This started with the permanent Bi-Steel wall system installed outside the main terminal building at the airport (to protect against vehicle bomb attack) followed by temporary Bi-Steel perimeter protection measures around the US Ambassador’s residence in Regent’s Park (where the President was staying) and at the ExCel Conference Centre.
In addition, visits to Number 10 Downing Street took place behind protective measures currently installed in Whitehall, which incorporate the Bi-Steel bollard system as well as Bi-Steel walls and balustrades disguised under traditional Portland stone.
Gestation of the G20 project
When Corus Bi-Steel received an order from Sussex Police for a major expansion to the existing National Barrier Asset (NBA) – a GB pound 1 million contract – the race was on to produce the required Bi-Steel redeployable anti-attack vehicle barriers in time for use at the G20 Summit.
The NBA is a stock of barriers, including Bi-Steel anti-attack vehicle barriers, used to protect people and property against attack from vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs). Owned by Sussex Police, the NBA is available for use by all UK police forces, typically on a short term basis, for deployment at security sensitive sites or major events such as political conferences, state visits and sporting events.
In practice, the ‘race’ to provide the barriers involved the design, testing and manufacture of several new perimeter protection products to PAS 68:2007 specifications, all within a three-month window.
PAS 68:2007: Specification for Vehicle Security Barriers is a Publicly Available Specification (PAS) prepared to address the needs of organisations who wish to have assurances that vehicle security barriers will provide the level of impact resistance they seek for their site(s).
The Corus systems included the new Quick Link Lite Bi-Steel barrier system for rapid deployment, as well as the Arrestor wire rope system (developed in collaboration with Bristorm) for the protection of large perimeters.
Previous experience of large-scale perimeter protection projects meant Corus Bi-Steel was well equipped to meet the tight deadline, and implementation of the G20 security measures began on time the weekend before the Summit. Existing heavy-duty NBA Bi-Steel barriers, gates and portals were installed around the ExCel Centre for the Summit itself.
Safeguarding the US Ambassador’s residence
Meanwhile, in Regent’s Park Bi-Steel’s rapidly deployable Quick Link Lite units and over 2.5 km of the new Arrestor wire rope – accompanied by 75 Bi-Steel barge-shaped barriers – were arranged around the US Ambassador’s residence.
Bi-Steel pedestrian portals were positioned to allow the free flow of pedestrians where required through the perimeter of barriers, while Bi-Steel barges and swing gates protected the main entrance.
According to Tony Duffell – the National Barrier Asset manager for Sussex Police – “This has been one of the most high profile and challenging security projects we have worked on. Our colleagues at Corus Bi-Steel pulled out all the stops to design, test and manufacture the new units we needed for this event within a very tight timeframe. The Company’s staff have proven to be highly knowledgeable and helpful – constantly striving to develop and refine their products, all the while providing the highest levels of service and support.”
By way of a response, Jurek Tollockzo – the general manager for Corus Bi-Steel – concluded: “This event was an excellent showcase for our full range of Bi-Steel perimeter protection products. It really turned into a demonstration of the benefits Arrestor can bring to end users as a turnkey security solution for temporary venues and events.”
