Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs)

Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs) are one of the most effective weapons in the terrorist’s arsenal. They are capable of delivering a large quantity of explosives to a target and can cause a great deal of damage. Once assembled, the device can be delivered at a time of the terrorist’s choosing and with reasonable precision, depending on defences. It can be detonated from a safe distance using a timer or remote control, or can be detonated on the spot by a suicide bomber.

Building a VBIED requires a significant investment of time, resources and expertise. Because of this, terrorists will seek to obtain the maximum impact for their investment.Terrorists generally select targets where they can cause most damage, inflict mass casualties or attract widespread publicity.

Effects of VBIEDs

VBIEDs can be highly destructive. It is not just the effects of a direct bomb blast that can be lethal, flying debris such as glass can present a hazard many metres away from the seat of the explosion.

What you can do?

If you think your premises could be at risk from any form of VBIED you should:

• ensure you have effective vehicle access controls, particularly at goods entrances and service yards. Do not allow unchecked vehicles to park in underground car parks or service areas directly below public areas where there will be large numbers of people and where there is a risk of structural collapse
• insist that details of contract vehicles and the identity of the driver and any passengers approaching your goods/service areas are authorised in advance
• do what you can to make your premises blast resistant, paying particular attention to windows. Have the structures reviewed by a qualified security/structural engineer when seeking advice on protected spaces
• establish and rehearse bomb threat and evacuation drills. Bear in mind that, depending on where the suspected VBIED is parked and the design of your building, it may be safer in windowless corridors or basements than outside
• consider using robust physical barriers to keep all but authorised vehicles at a safe distance. Seek the advice of your local Police Counter Terrorism Security Adviser (CTSA) on what these should be and on further measures such as electronic surveillance including Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and protection from flying glass
• ensure your assembly areas take account of their proximity to the potential threat. Also bear in mind that a vehicle device delivered into your building – for instance via underground car parks or through the front of your premises – could have a far greater destructive effect on the structure than an externally detonated device
• train and rehearse your staff in identifying suspect vehicles, and in receiving and acting upon bomb threats. Key information and telephone numbers should be prominently displayed and readily available it should be emphasised that the installation of physical barriers needs to be balanced against the requirements of safety and should not be embarked upon without full consideration of planning regulation and fire safety risk assessment

The Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI) have published new guidance on how to protect against vehicle borne explosive devices utilising what is called Hostile Vehicle Mitigation.

Integrated Security - A Public Realm Design Guide for Hostile Vehicle Mitigation