Classics on the Common - Harpenden

Classics on the Common - Harpenden

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woodypup59

Original Poster:

614 posts

152 months

Monday 10th July 2017
quotequote all
Just received the following security advice :-

Protective Security Advice
for Classics on the Common 26th July 2017

All Rotarians, volunteers and contractors should understand and accept the need for security measures and be mindful that security forms part of everyone's responsibility, not merely something for security professionals. Rotary in Harpenden will make it as easy as possible to raise concerns and report observations.
Our overriding priority for protection is people. This includes spectators and general public, volunteers, exhibitors, concessionaires and contractors and includes, of course, Rotarians and police.

Security Awareness
The vigilance of all Rotarians, volunteers and contractors is essential to our protection. Rotarians know their areas very well and are encouraged to be alert to unusual behaviour or items out of place.
They must all have the confidence to report any suspicions, knowing that reports - including false alarms - will be taken seriously and regarded as a contribution to the safe running of Classics on the Common 2017.
All Rotarians, volunteers and contractors should look out for packages, bags or other items in odd places, carefully placed (rather than dropped) items in rubbish bins and unusual interest shown in places away from the displays of static vehicles. We have decided to replace the black bin liners we have used in previous years with clear ones in order to facilitate the identification of potential suspicious packages.

Please remember that the greatest vulnerability for Classics on the Common is complacency.

Examples of Possible Suspicious Activity
Persons standing or loitering in the same area on numerous occasions with no apparent reasonable explanation.
Prolonged static surveillance
Simple observation such as staring or quickly looking away.
Any activity inconsistent with the nature of our event.
Unusual questions – (such as number of VIP's visiting Classics on the Common).
Individuals that look out of place for any reason.
Individuals that appear to be loitering.
Individuals asking questions regarding the identity or characteristics of individual visitors, groups of visitors, or the jobs or nationalities of visitors.
Persons asking questions regarding security and evacuation measures.

Risk of Terrorist Attack at Classics on the Common

Terrorism is a crime. Many of the security precautions typically used to deter criminals are also effective against terrorists. Good basic security practices will bring benefits and help deter and identify all types of crime. Terrorists generally select targets where they can cause most damage, inflict mass casualties or attract widespread publicity. At this moment, we do not believe that Classics on the Common presents a significant target for terrorist attack but, given recent events in London and Manchester, the vigilance of all Rotarians, volunteers and contractors is essential to the protection of all people involved with Classics on the Common.
It is worthwhile being aware of the following risks, however unlikely they may be.

Terrorist Firearms, Weapons and Suicide Attacks
Terrorist use of firearms and weapons is not frequent, but it is important to consider this method of attack and be prepared to cope with such an incident. Below is some general guidance.
Crowded places have been identified and targeted by suicide bombers. The use of suicide bombers is a very effective method of delivering an explosive device to a specific location. Suicide bombers may also use a lorry or other kind of vehicle as a bomb or may carry or conceal explosives on their persons. Suicide attacks are generally perpetrated without warning.
At Classics on the Common exhibitors are likely to be near their own cars together with a large number of spectators. If firearms and weapons are used in the immediate vicinity try to “stay safe” and

Find the best available ballistic protection.
Out of sight does not necessarily mean out of danger, especially if you are not ballistically protected.

GOOD BALLISTIC COVER
Engine Blocks of parked cars
Car Doors
Behind Large Live Trees

BAD BALLISTIC COVER
Fences
Natural Ground Undulations

However, you will be aware that Classics on the Common is an open air event on open Commons and with open access to the public. Apart from rows of parked cars, on the Commons there are only temporary structures such as marquees and event kiosks and trade stands. The protected space principle is unlikely to offer any suitable refuge for the majority of the spectators and exhibitors and evacuation may be the preferred option. The preferred evacuation route from the Main Common would normally be towards the Cricket Club but this would obviously depend on the precise location of any incident and the police would provide specific guidance on the day.

Seven Key Instructions
The following seven key instructions should be followed in most incidents:
1. Do not touch suspicious items.
2. Use hand-held radios or mobile phones away from the immediate vicinity of a suspect item, remaining out of line of sight and behind hard cover if at all possible.
3. Notify (i) a police officer if there is one in the immediate vicinity and/or (ii) the Event Manger (Richard Young) either by advising a nearby marshal with a radio or using your mobile or the mobile of someone near you. Richard Young’s contact number is either 07954 722616 or 07796 690522 . The phone number of Michael Smithers, the police officer who will be on-site and be responsible for providing us with specific guidance is 07748 768 297.
4. If appropriate, move everyone away to a safe distance.
5. If appropriate, prevent others from approaching.
6. Communicate safely to Rotarians, Volunteers, spectators and exhibitors in the area.
7. Ensure that whoever found the item or witnessed the incident remains on hand to brief the police.

Vehicle Bombs
The risk from a vehicle bomb is not considered substantial. All exhibitor vehicles are identified in advance and tickets showing their registration number are checked before vehicles are allowed entry. Traffic-calming measures are in place on the A1081. The registration number of each contractor’s vehicle is also known in advance. However, vehicle bombs 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.
It is for this reason that we cannot stress too highly the need for Rotarians to check the registration details of each exhibitor’s car and each contractor’s vehicle. Please remain alert and observant at all times.

If such an event were to occur, the police would provide guidance on the day.
Evacuation of the Commons
The police might decide to evacuate the Commons because of:
a threat received directly by St Albans District Council or Harpenden Town Council, who is responsible for the Common.
a threat received directly by Rotary in Harpenden.
a threat received elsewhere and passed on by the police.
discovery of a suspicious item at Classics (perhaps an unclaimed hold-all or rucksack).
discovery of a suspicious item or vehicle outside the Common but in the Harpenden area.
an incident to which the police have alerted you.

Whatever the circumstances, the police would provide guidance.

On 26 July 2017 enjoy yourselves
but please be alert at all times and report any suspicious activity




Seems a bit OTT to me

g7jhp

6,964 posts

238 months

Tuesday 11th July 2017
quotequote all
Better to make people think and plan before. They need to cover themselves and if advice saves lives in the event of the worst happening then it will be worthwhile.

Although I have been known to do all the below when I see a nice car like some on show in 2015! biggrin

- Persons standing or loitering in the same area on numerous occasions with no apparent reasonable explanation.
- Simple observation such as staring or quickly looking away.
- Individuals that appear to be loitering.


markiii

3,611 posts

194 months

Tuesday 11th July 2017
quotequote all
any islamic types will stand out like a sore thumb in Harpenden anyway :-)

designforlife

3,734 posts

163 months

Wednesday 12th July 2017
quotequote all
markiii said:
any islamic types will stand out like a sore thumb in Harpenden anyway :-)
yup whiter than a tin of Dulux up there!

I've always wanted to go to this, but the whole weekday afternoon thing isn't great for those of us who are gainfully employed...i've never really understood why they don't do it on a Sunday.

Nik da Greek

2,503 posts

150 months

Wednesday 12th July 2017
quotequote all
security gibberish said:
BAD BALLISTIC COVER
Fences
gave me a good chuckle though. No! You don't say....

g7jhp

6,964 posts

238 months

Wednesday 26th July 2017
quotequote all
From 2-8pm.

Weather's not looking great for Classics on the Common, better after 6pm.

Job38

1,968 posts

236 months

Wednesday 26th July 2017
quotequote all
A bit more subdued this year owing to this filthy weather, field nearest Village much down on previous years...

woodypup59

Original Poster:

614 posts

152 months

Tuesday 1st August 2017
quotequote all
|

Nice Avenger - freshly restored.

globalfish

394 posts

97 months

Friday 4th August 2017
quotequote all
Star of the show for me - something different. 1949 Tatra Tatraplan T601
Apparently only 8 in the country & just 3 on the road.


456mgt

2,504 posts

266 months

Friday 4th August 2017
quotequote all
globalfish said:
Star of the show for me - something different. 1949 Tatra Tatraplan T601
Apparently only 8 in the country & just 3 on the road.

Had a good look around that at another Hertfordshire show a while back. Amazingly advanced for it's year, and from a time when Tatra were leading the way in engineering. I never knew that before chatting with the owner.

It's out of the way stuff like this that keeps me going to these events, and I have to say the stand out are the Stony Stratford events which never fail to bring out propulsion devices I never knew existed http://www.stonystratford.gov.uk/community/annual-...