New guidance for goods vehicle operators and drivers

In the last five years, changes in attack methodology has placed greater emphasis on simplicity and ease of access, meaning that – along with knives – commercial vehicles have become one of the deadliest weapons used by terrorists across Europe.

The UK suffered the devastating effects of this change of methodology in 2017, when vehicles were used in three of the five attacks which took place in London and Manchester – claiming seven lives.

In the wake of these horrific attacks, the DfT worked alongside security experts from Counter Terrorism Policing to create an industry-specific guidance document to help transport businesses, operators, managers and drivers mitigate the threat of their vehicles being used in an attack.

The guidance covers all aspects of vehicle and site security, including a handy 10-point checklist for vehicle security for commercial drivers – which will help prevent crime and acts of terrorism, protect an organisation’s reputation and, ultimately, keep us all safer.

Countering vehicle as a weapon: best practice guidance for goods vehicle operators and drivers

Published 13 August 2019
Last updated 11 September 2020 + show all updates

  1. Document reviewed. No updates.

  2. First published.



New UK Government Minister for Scotland Robin Walker visits Edinburgh robotics centre

[unable to retrieve full-text content]Minister discusses plans for a world-leading National Robotarium to support the growth of smart robotics companies.



Scottish Secretary welcomes August 2019 Labour Market Statistics

The latest figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show mixed results, with the rate of employment remaining steady with an increase of 4000 alongside an increase of 12,000 in unemployment. Scotland’s 3.6% unemployment rate remains below that of the UK as a whole at 3.9%, and the number of people employed in Scotland is near the recent record high at 2,685,000.

In response to these figures, Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said:

Today’s figures present a mixed picture but any increase in unemployment is a cause for concern. We cannot let up in our efforts to grow the Scottish economy.

We will leave the EU on October 31 and begin to realise new opportunities for business.

The UK Government has also committed almost £1.4 billion to date for city and growth deals across Scotland with more to come.

We will continue to work with the Scottish Government but I urge them to use their considerable economic powers more effectively.



South West Water to pay charity £350,000 after polluting stream

South West Water has offered to pay £350,000 to the Westcountry Rivers Trust to help a Devon river recover from serious pollution that wiped out the local fish population.

The payment, known as an Enforcement Undertaking, has been accepted by the Environment Agency as an alternative to prosecution and will benefit urban watercourses in the Plymouth area including the Tamerton stream.

In August 2016 the Environment Agency responded to reports of dead fish in the Tamerton stream. The pollution was traced to an overflowing manhole on South West Water’s combined sewer network. South West Water and its contractors arrived on site that evening and stopped the discharge the following morning.

The pollution had a substantial impact on the watercourse, killing more than 100 brown trout. The dead fish were found downstream near Tamerton Foliot, close to where the stream enters the Tavy estuary.

Mike Ingman for the Environment Agency said:

The Tamerton Stream has suffered several pollution incidents over the past five years.

It is good to see a positive outcome from what was serious pollution of a local stream. South West Water has since cleansed the main sewer line that runs through the woods and this should help reduce the likelihood of any further pollution.

Fish killed in the Taverton stream ended up near the Tavy Estuary, a sensitive watercourse

The Tavy Estuary is a sensitive watercourse with several important designations including Special Protection Area, Special Area of Conservation and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The South West Water Enforcement Undertaking offer will fund a programme of works known as the ‘Plymouth River Keepers Project’ that will help offset the damage caused by the water company.

Dr Nick Paling of the Westcountry Rivers Trust said:

We are excited about the Plymouth River Keepers Project. By encouraging people to reconnect with nature and bringing urban rivers and streams back into the affection of the people living close to them, we believe we can have a positive impact.

The Westcountry Rivers Trust will use the money to restore fish numbers through additional habitat management work and pay for a programme of community engagement to raise awareness of pollution problems on Plymouth’s urban streams. The project also aims to increase public usage and appreciation of the Tamerton stream and encourage community-led monitoring of local watercourses.



Membership of the Veterinary Products Committee 2019

The Veterinary Products Committee (VPC) is looking to appoint four new members:

  • Veterinary immunologist
  • Veterinary surgeon (mixed/small animal)
  • Medical/clinical microbiologist
  • Veterinary surgeon (fish)

Members receive £148 for each meeting attended and an additional £76 for preparation time.

Meetings are held at the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) offices in Surrey.

The VPC schedules three regular meetings a year (February, June and September typically) and it may, occasionally, be necessary to hold ad hoc meetings. Usually an Open meeting is held on the day before the September meeting (25 September 2019).

Further information on the VPC is available on its website and from the VPC secretary, Sandra Russell s.russell@vmd.gov.uk or tel: 01932 338490.

Please contact Chris Abbott c.abbott@vmd.gov.uk for details of how to apply. The closing date for applications is noon on 23rd August 2019.