We have launched a new, fully online, Level 2 Protective Planning: An Introduction to Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) course, providing accessible, affordable HVM training for security professionals, venue operators, safety officers and local authorities. The course is designed to help those responsible to gain a better understanding of protective planning.
Accredited by Highfield and The CPD Certification Service, the new course adds to the proven track record of our SAFECROWDS GROUP Academy in delivering online and in-person courses. It has been developed by our educational experts in collaboration with our experienced counter-terrorism and crowd safety subject matter specialists and provides an overview of vehicle borne threats, HVM strategy considerations, and the varied types of temporary and permanent HVM barriers currently available.
Co-managing Director Rory McGoldrick explains: “Our Level 2 Protective Planning: An Introduction to Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) course has been specifically designed to provide learners with a practical introduction to HVM principles and protective planning, in a flexible, accessible and affordable format. Costing just £139.00 per learner, the course can be completed entirely online, allowing participants to learn at their own pace from any location.”
The course makes specialist HVM knowledge accessible to a wider audience for the first time, at a pivotal moment for organisations across the UK. As the compliance requirements of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (also known as Martyn’s Law) approach, many organisations are reviewing their preparedness, enhancing protective security measures, and investing in developing their teams.
We have already received a very positive response from safety officers and local authorities when we previewed our accredited Level 2 course at the Sports Ground Safety Authority (SGSA) Conference in May, with delegates keen to benefit from the affordability and self-paced flexibility the online course offers.
When they sign up for the Level 2 course, learners receive access to the learning content which contains a series of interactive modules covering key topics including the nature of vehicle-borne threats, the role of HVM within wider protective security strategies, the differences between temporary and permanent mitigation measures and crowd flow rates. The course also includes knowledge assessments throughout, with learners required to respond to at least 80% of questions correctly at the end of the course. All participants who successfully complete the programme receive an accredited certificate from Highfield and The CPD Certification Service.
Rory continues: “Hostile Vehicle Mitigation is becoming an increasingly important consideration for organisations responsible for public safety, particularly as preparations for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 continue across a wide range of sectors.
“We wanted to create a course that makes high-quality, accredited HVM training accessible to as many people as possible. By delivering the course online, we’ve ensured that learners at this level can develop their knowledge without the cost and logistical challenges associated with attending classroom-based training.”
The level 2 is the first in a series of courses we are developing to support security professionals and organisations that want to upskill their team in relation to vehicle borne threats. We are developing accredited Level 3 and Level 4 courses, which will be delivered in a classroom-based environment, and are due to be released later in the year.
The accredited level 2 course launch comes amid growing awareness of the role effective protective planning can play in reducing risk and enhancing resilience across public venues, events, sports grounds, places of worship, transport hubs, local authorities and other publicly accessible locations.
Unlike traditional classroom-based programmes, the online format removes restrictions on learner numbers and allows individuals and organisations to complete training around existing operational commitments.
“Whether someone is looking to build a foundation in HVM, refresh their existing knowledge, or support their organisation’s wider preparedness planning,” Rory adds, “our Level 2 course provides a practical and flexible starting point.”
You can enrol for our Level 2 Protective Planning: An Introduction to Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) course here.
