A new standard to mitigate the risk of terrorism and other criminal activity being carried out with commercial vehicles has been published.

BSI, the UK’s national standards body, has issued the publication with sponsorship from the Department for Transport and the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure.

It sets out the process of identifying, implementing and maintaining security measures to reduce the risk of commercially operated vehicles being used in acts of terrorism and other forms of serious and organized crime.

BSI points out that as well as posing as a danger to the public, these security risks can also impact commercial vehicle operators, causing damage to an organisation, its assets, personnel, and reputation.

The standard, PAS 29000, covers personnel security and physical security of sites and vehicles, as well as security management planning and processes.

BSI head of transport and mobility standards Nick Fleming said: “This new standard, developed with operators of commercial vehicles, encourages good practice in the managing of security risks that may help to reduce the threat of vehicles being used in acts that may cause intentional harm to the public or for organized crime. 

“PAS 29000 highlights the growing importance of physical vehicle security measures to help prevent such criminal acts taking place.”