A Derbyshire manufacturer of street security products says that the return of outdoor events and a boom in city centre al fresco dining has led to a huge demand for its temporary safety barriers – and it is now totally out of stock.
Securiscape, based in Ashbourne, says that every one of its SecuriPod anti-ram devices has now been installed somewhere in the UK in order to protect people attending events in the open air.
It is a far cry from last year when only 60% of the devices, which are designed to prevent vehicles from being driven deliberately or accidentally into open spaces, were in use, due to the cancellation of public events because of the coronavirus pandemic.
One year on and the return of events, plus the new trend for temporary outdoor eating spaces in the centre of UK’s towns and cities, means that organisers have been queuing up to rent its SecuriPods, which, when placed and secured in a row, are capable of stopping cars and trucks travelling at up to 30mph.
In the latest installation, Securiscape placed 47m-worth of the system – comprising of the pods themselves and connecting cables – alongside wooden planters arranged to create an outdoor eating area in St John’s Square, Blackpool, to give local cafes and restaurants extra capacity during the summer months on behalf of the local Business Improvement District.
A 24m row of Securipods is also in place outside the Derby Market Place alfresco dining experience in Derby city centre, protecting diners from vehicles that might access the square from a service road next to the Quad.
The SecuriPods were also used earlier this year at the Viking Open Nottingham Tennis Tournament to protect players, staff and public as they made their way to the entrance.
Demand for street security devices is on the rise due to the concern over public events’ vulnerability to attacks in the wake of the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017 and a spate of incidents whereby vehicles have driven into pedestrians and outdoor seating areas either deliberately or accidentally.
The Government is currently consulting on the so-called Martyn’s Law, which is named after Martyn Hett, who died in the Manchester bombing and whose mother, Figen Murray, is campaigning for changes that would require public places and venues to improve security.
Mark Stone, managing director at Securiscape, said: “The easing of lockdown restrictions has meant that events that were cancelled last year have returned, while towns and cities up and down the country are capitalising on the staycation summer to create temporary outdoor spaces where visitors can be served food and drink by local cafes and restaurants.
“Alongside the arrangements for chairs and tables, organisers are being mindful about the safety of the public and, working with local councils and the police, they are installing safety measures that will prevent vehicles from gaining access.
“We’ve had a record number of inquiries for our SecuriPods this year and, as a result, we have rented our entire stock out for the next few months. We have more being made as we speak and are working with more councils and organisations to supply them with Securipods in the future.”
It took Securiscape two years to bring its SecuriPod system to market and they can also incorporate a floral display or come supplied in different colours to match the branding of the event they are being used to protect.
The devices have been used at a host of outdoor events since they were launched a few years ago, including street festivals in Derby and Hackney and Christmas events in Lancaster and Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire.
