A world-leading British manufacturer of anti-terrorism bollards and barriers has hit the headlines in Australia for ‘an unprecedented security net’ which has been put in place around the venue for the Australian Open.
Bollards produced by Safetyflex Barriers, based in Coventry, have been installed around Melbourne Park which hosts the tennis tournament, the first Grand Slam of the year.
The installation of 196 slimline oval steel bollards, alongside 35 concrete blocks, to form ‘a ring of steel and concrete’ to replace temporary structures, featured in a report by leading Australian television news service, 7 News.
In the report, Commander Tim Hansen, of Victoria Police, said: “These bollards would slow the ingress down of a hostile vehicle and ultimately cause it to come to a stop.”
He also commented on the ‘subtle balance in street design’ with the appearance of the new security enhancements having been softened by being intermingled with trees and shrubs.
The measures are designed to protect Melbourne Park from potential vehicle attacks and have been offering reassurance to spectators at the Australian Open, which last year numbered more than 780,000 making it the highest attended Grand Slam event.
Marcus Gerrard, director at Safetyflex Barriers, said: “Melbourne Park is the latest high-profile site in Australia that we have helped to secure against terrorism with our patented slimline anti-terrorist bollard, and is a significant contract for us both in Australia and as part of our wider export drive.
“This security shield will offer protection from the threat of vehicle attacks and reassurance to those attending events such as the Australian Open, which is crucial in a city which has been the victim of terrorist activity.”
Safetyflex Barriers was recently presented with the Product of the Year award at the Australian Security Industry Awards for its 9-40 Truckstopper Bollard – the first time any company has won the accolade two years in succession.
The product invented by Safetyflex can stop very large trucks travelling at high speeds. It is easy to assemble and in a super-shallow foundation size of only 200mm which means it can be set up without the need to re-divert utilities, making it highly-cost effective.
Safetyflex Barriers teamed up with Australia’s leading anti-terrorist solution provider EZI Security Systems in 2018 after specifically testing the Truckstopper 9-40 for sale in the country, which had been on high alert since a fatal car attack in Melbourne in January 2017.
Its presence in Australia has since grown with contracts to help secure sites including one of the busiest railway stations in Sydney, two of Brisbane’s most popular tourist attractions and a police station in Melbourne.
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