Thursday, 25th November 2021

Trident Manor Cultural Protection Services develops the world’s first (we believe) accredited training programme dedicated to the security and protection of high value artefacts while being transported on roads and highways.

Discussions with leading insurers, fine art handlers, and security specialists identified the increasing risk to art, jewelry, and other high value artefacts while being transported on the world’s roads and highways. Part of this has been driven by the proactive steps taken in many countries to increase the physical security at venues, and part is the fact that the values of the items being transported have increased significantly, making them more attractive to criminals, particularly those involved in organised crime.

Trident Manor Training Academy has developed a formally accredited, customised training programme, that proactively helps reduce the risks from threats, adversarial or otherwise, faced during the transportation of high value artefacts on highways. The ‘Level 3 Award- Transportation of High Value Artefacts’ has been approved by NCFE  a UK based, government approved, Educational Awarding Body that operates globally.

The following provides further detailed information about the programme and the benefits it can bring to different groups operating within the sector:

Purpose: To reduce the risk of accidents while transporting high value artefacts by road and to proactively increase levels of awareness and vigilance of those involved in the transportation of high value artefacts from adversarial sources.

Justification: Believed to be the only such programme to be accredited for the purpose, anywhere in the world (sorry it is a bold statement but believed accurate). Possibility of reduced insurance premiums, reduced claims, improved quality of services, and the better protection of assets (vehicles, people, cargo).

Rational: The more a driver can ‘drive defensively’ (not like James Bond) i.e. proactive anticipation and avoidance of risks and hazards that may exist, the more likely that involvement in road traffic accidents will be reduced. Additionally, operational efficiencies, wear and tear, alongside the protection of reputations is achieved through improved quality and standards of driving.

As the protective security measures of museums, galleries, and other venues improves, organised criminals will seek other ways to target high vale items where the likelihood of success is increased, and apprehension remains relatively low. Road transportation presents criminals with this opportunity in the form of vehicle hijacks, theft of and from vehicles, and subversion of staff. While steps are being taken to harden the physical security of vehicles, they remain vulnerable while on the road, unless the added expense of escort vehicles are used, which may or may not have a positive effect. This is also applicable when using other forms of transportation including on foot, by train, and by air.

The more drivers, and those directly involved in the transportation of high value artefacts can protect the assets from other road users and adversarial threats, the more the risks of loss or damage are reduced.

The programme represents a proactive risk management and risk reduction approach to the protection of high value artefacts.

Audience: Those directly involved in the transportation (by whatever means) of art, artefacts, and other high value objects.

Content:

• Driving Defensively – proactive risk/hazard identification and avoidance. (tuition by RoSPA - link driving instructors)

• Understanding threats and risks to high value artefacts during transportation

• Awareness of the different stages of the ‘attack cycle’ and how they manifest themselves

• Situational awareness – proactive interpretation of surroundings and scenarios that are presented.

• Surveillance detection – identification of hostile surveillance activities undertaken by criminals

• Responding to adverse situations – controlled responses to situations that prioritises the safety of individuals over the protection of artefacts.

Structure: The theory of defensive driving is taught, followed by hours of putting it the theory into practice over the duration of the programme.

Slowly, additional specialist theory is introduced (as shown in the content) which is then put into practice during observed and assessed activities. Throughout the programme there is the use of internationally renown driving instructors and trained surveillance and protection specialists who will share their expertise with the delegates.

The driving activities, and need to demonstrate advanced skills, increases throughout the programme up to the final day where everything taught will be tested using a written examination and practical assessments, under test conditions.

Andy Davis, Managing Director of Trident Manor Limited said of the programme, “Continually having individuals who have never received any specialist training in the protection of assets that they are responsible for is only going to lead to increased risks to the individuals and the items they are transporting.” He added, “This programme helps the delegates understand what threats exist and how to proactively avoid them, safely and without compromise to assets.”

The training takes place at the Trident Manor Training Academy in the north of England but can also be delivered anywhere in the world, subject to travel and governmental restrictions.

To support this announcement a webinar is going to be held in January 2022 outlining in more detail the contents of the programme and  will highlight the benefits of the programme to the insurance sector, fine art movers, logistical firms, couriers, and private individuals; anybody who has a vested interest in the proactive protection of high value artefacts while being transported. To register for the Webinar please click here.

If you are interested in finding out a bit more detail on the programme please Contact Us. .