View allAll Photos Tagged highsecurity
Looking at the gear lying empty and cold does not show you the power of the steel as seeing it in use does. Further, seeing it in use gives only a hazy impression of what it feels like to wear these restraints or to put them on another man. Further, wearing them only briefly does not produce the same understanding that wearing them for hours or days does. The man in the steel and the man who takes responsibility for his prisoner's security and safety both gain in understanding. Photo by Styrous.
From the lower left, reading up:
Darby combination irons -- leg irons, wrist irons, connecting chain
Darby wrist irons
Darby leg irons
Darby bar wrist irons
Auto transport irons (prevent walking)
Transport irons (allow walking)
Regular leg irons (two pairs) and boot leg irons (two pairs)
Clejuso high security leg irons. (The Clejuso high security hand cuffs were nearby but do not show in the pictures.)
Clejuso No. 8 leg irons.
Upper left, transport irons with belly chain holding wrists at hips, and another set, holding wrists together at navel
Down the center:
Dungeon irons, chaining neck, wrists, and ankles together (a heavy set of irons, but the lighter of two on the table), five-point irons.
Just to the right of that: Darby rigid bar leg irons, and
Just to the right of that, the heavier five-point irons (about thirty pounds, using a chain that was once an anchor chain)
Below that, Darby handcuffs
From the lower right corner up:
Three iron collars
"Chainless" Darbies, one set for ankles and one set for wrists, with no connecting chain.
Above them, and to the right: Rigid or Lilly irons, a set for ankles, a set for wrists, and a three-point set that confines the neck and wrists.
Dungeon irons, a set for ankles and a set for wrists
Upper right hand corner: a three point set of Dungeon irons, chaining neck and ankles, leaving wrists free, wearable under clothers (my own design)
Looking at the gear lying empty and cold does not show you the power of the steel as seeing it in use does. Further, seeing it in use gives only a hazy impression of what it feels like to wear these restraints or to put them on another man. Still further, wearing them only briefly does not produce the same understanding that wearing them for hours or days does. The man in the steel and the man who takes responsibility for his security and safety both gain in understanding. Photo by Styrous.
From the lower right, reading up:
Two pairs of SAF-LOK MK V handcuffs
Two pairs of Chubb Escort handcuffs
Upper corner: belly chain, cuffs at hips
Hiatt High Security handcuffs (hinged)
Three pairs of chain handcuffs
From the left, reading up:
Clejuso handcuffs
Folded and unfolded ASP rigid handcuffs
Three pairs of hinged handcuffs
Irish 8 handcuffs ("large", but won't fit wrists over about 7 inches)
Hinged cuffs, black
Left most: two lockable leather restraint belts with O rings in the front at the navel for holding handcuffs. Two padlocks, brand Master (naturally)
The orphanage was built between 1818 - 1825, and for many years was a home for up to 60 children. The building was later converted into a nurses school and finally closed in the 1990's. Plans to convert the building into a new site for the Probation Services ‘residential assessment and intervention programmes for adult males with allegations of, or convictions for, sexual offences involving children’ were proposed and work began. The plans were met with huge objections from locals. Eventually, after £3.7 million had been spent on redevelopment, the plans were dropped. The building has stood unused ever since. The Grade II listed building now has a very strange feeling of brand new mixed with the inevitable decay of disuse.
The owners have gone to great lengths to keep people out, every inch of the external walls covered with remotely monitored CCTV and PIR sensors, with rapid response times from the security guards. All seems a bit overkill for a building that has been left to gradually fall apart in an ever increasing state of decay.
I just happened to come across this locked box during my walk this morning. A sizeable metal box made secure with this padlock but I am confused as to why anyone would have a box sitting, basically, in the middle of nowhere all locked up!
Our Daily Challenge ~ High Security ...
Stay Safe and Healthy Everyone!
Thanks to everyone who views this photo, adds a note, leaves a comment and of course BIG thanks to anyone who chooses to favourite my photo .... Thanks to you all!
Who could possibly breach this High Security Fence, especially with that fearsome creature on watch ....!
Paddington Police Station although a conventional Station open to the public is also the holding centre for High Risk Prisoners arrested for suspicious acts of Terrorism
Happy Wednesday Walls
Working with my point and shoot held above my head. Took my younger girls. It was very exciting. Getting up early paid off. We got a good spot, right on the field, pretty close.
Here's a transcript of his prepared speech:
Remarks of Senator Barack Obama—as prepared for delivery
Abington, Pennsylvania
Friday, October 3, 2008
You know, there were a lot of noteworthy moments in that debate, but there’s one that sticks out this morning. It’s when Governor Palin said to Joe Biden that our plan to get our economy out of the ditch was somehow a job killing plan.
I wonder if she turned on the news this morning.
Because it was just reported that America has experienced its ninth straight month of job loss. Just since January, we’ve lost more than 750,000 jobs across America, 7,000 in Pennsylvania alone. This is the economy that John McCain said – just two weeks ago – was fundamentally strong. This is the economy that my opponent said made great progress under the policies of George W. Bush. And those are the economic policies that he proposes to continue for another four years.
So when Senator McCain and his running mate talk about job killing, that’s something they know a thing or two about. Because the policies they’re supporting are killing jobs every single day.
Well, Abington, I am here to tell you that we cannot afford four more years of this. Because where I come from, there’s nothing more fundamental than having the sense of meaning and purpose that comes with showing up at work in the morning. There’s nothing more fundamental than being able to put your kids through college, or having health care when you get sick, or being able to retire with security. There’s nothing more fundamental than a good paying job.
That’s why we’re here today – because we need to do what we did in the 1990s and create millions of new jobs and not lose them. We need to do what we did in the 1990s and make sure people’s incomes are going up and not down. We need to do what a guy named Bill Clinton did in the 1990s and put people first again. That’s why I’m running for President of the United States of America.
We’ve tried it their way. It hasn’t worked. And it won’t work now. But let me tell you what will work.
What will work is investing $15 billion a year over the next decade in renewable sources of energy like wind and solar – an investment that will generate five million new jobs that pay well and can’t ever be outsourced. And by the way, we can end our dependence on foreign oil in the process, and nothing will help our economy more than that.
What will work is making an investment in rebuilding our crumbling roads, schools, and bridges. That will mean jobs for two million more Americans.
My opponent supports giving tax breaks to companies that ship jobs overseas. But what will work is giving those tax breaks to companies that create jobs here at home.
My opponent supports tax havens that let companies avoid paying taxes here in America – tax havens that cost $100 billion every year. But what will work is shutting those tax havens and closing corporate loopholes.
What will work is giving tax breaks to the small businesses that are the engine of economic growth in this country, and cutting taxes – hear me now – cutting taxes – for 95 percent of all working families. Under my plan, tax rates will actually be less than they were under Ronald Reagan.
That’s what will work. And that’s the kind of change Joe Biden and I are going to bring to Washington.
Now, let me be perfectly clear. The fact that our economy is in this mess is an outrage. It’s an outrage because we did not get here by accident. This was not a normal part of the business cycle. This did not happen because of a few bad apples.
This financial crisis is a direct result of the greed and irresponsibility that has dominated Washington and Wall Street for years. It’s the result of an economic philosophy that says we should give more and more to those with the most and hope that prosperity trickles down to everyone else; a philosophy that views even the most common-sense regulations as unwise and unnecessary. Well, this crisis is nothing less than a final verdict on this failed philosophy – and it’s a philosophy that will end when I’m President of the United States.
That’s what this election is all about.
Because despite my opponent’s best efforts to make you think otherwise, this is the philosophy he’s embraced during his twenty-six years in Washington. And it shows just how out of touch he really is. How else could he offer $200 billion in tax cuts for big corporations at a time like this? How else could he propose giving the average Fortune 500 CEO a $700,000 tax cut at a time when millions of Americans are struggling to pay their bills? How else could he come up with an economic plan that leaves out more than 100 million middle class taxpayers?
Senator McCain just doesn’t get it. Well, Abington, I do get it. And I think all of you get it too.
We know these are difficult times. We know how bad Pennsylvania has been hurting. But here’s what I also know – I know we can steer ourselves out of this crisis. Because that’s who we are. Because that’s what Americans do. This is a nation that’s faced tougher times than these – we’ve faced war and depression; great challenges and great threats. And at each and every moment, we’ve risen to meet these challenges because we’ve never forgotten that fundamental truth – that here, in this country, our destiny is not written for us; it’s written by us.
Here, in the United States of America, the future is ours to shape. That’s what we need to do right now. Part of what that means is passing the rescue plan that’s before Congress. This is a plan that will help us deal with this immediate crisis and put our economy on a firmer footing. It’s a plan I voted for the other night – because I made sure it included taxpayer protections and wasn’t simply a blank check like this administration initially asked for. And it’s a plan that the House is going to be voting on soon. So to Democrats and Republicans in the House who are now on the fence, let me say this: do not make the same mistake twice. For the sake of our families, our economy, and our country, step up to the plate and pass this plan.
But understand, even with this plan, we may face a long and difficult road to recovery. That’s why, if I’m President, passing this rescue plan won’t be the end of what we do to strengthen our economy, it’ll be the beginning. It’ll be the beginning of a long-term rescue plan for our middle class – a plan that will put opportunity within reach for anyone who’s willing to fight for it.
Now, some people have asked whether our weakening economy means the next President will have to scale back his agenda. But I reject the idea that you can’t build a strong middle class at a time when our economy is weak. Because I’ve got a different economic philosophy than John McCain – I believe that building a strong middle class is the key to making our economy strong. And that’s what we’ll do when I’m President of the United States.
So yes, we’ll create millions of new jobs, and yes, we’ll put more money back into the pockets of hardworking families. But we’ll also do something more. We will reform our health care system so we can relieve families, businesses, and our economy from the crushing cost of health care by investing in new technology and preventative care. If you have health care, my plan will lower your premiums. If you don’t, you’ll be able to get the same kind of coverage that members of Congress give themselves.
And we’re going to stand up to the insurance companies. This is personal for me. My mother died when she was 53 from ovarian cancer, and you know what she was doing in her final months? She was in her hospital bed arguing with insurance companies about whether or not it was a preexisting condition. So I know the pain that’s caused by our broken health care system. And that’s why as President, I will stop insurance companies from discriminating against those who are sick and need care the most.
And another thing we know will work in the long term is to make sure that our education system is second to none so that every child in America has the skills they’ll need to compete for high wage jobs in the 21st century. I’ve laid out a comprehensive plan to get there that will give our kids the opportunities they deserve.
When I spoke about that plan a while back, Senator McCain’s top education advisor said that this isn’t an issue he’s been focused on.
Well, let me tell you, if you want to create jobs and grow this economy in the 21st century, you had better focus on education. Because we know that countries that out-teach us today will outcompete us tomorrow.
Finally, I will modernize our outdated financial regulations and put in place the common-sense rules of the road I’ve been calling for since March – rules that will keep our market free, fair, and honest; rules that will restore accountability and responsibility in the boardroom, and make sure Wall Street can never get away with the stunts that caused this crisis again.
But just as we demand accountability on Wall Street, we must also demand it in Washington. That’s why I’m not going to stand here and simply tell you what I’m going to spend, I’m going to tell you how we’re going to save when I am President.
I’ll do what you do in your own family budgets and make sure we’re spending money wisely. I will go through the entire federal budget, page by page, line by line, and eliminate programs that don’t work and aren’t needed. We’ll start by ending a war in Iraq that’s costing $10 billion a month while the Iraqi government sits on a $79 billion surplus. And we’ll save billions more by cutting waste, improving management, and strengthening oversight.
These are the changes and reforms we need. A new era of responsibility and accountability on Wall Street and in Washington. Common-sense regulations to prevent a crisis like this from ever happening again. Investments in the technology and innovation that will restore prosperity and lead to new jobs and a new economy for the 21st century. Bottom-up growth that gives every American a fair shot at the American dream.
I won’t pretend this will be easy or come without cost. We will all need to sacrifice and we will all need to pull our weight because now more than ever, we are all in this together. What this crisis has taught us is that at the end of the day, there is no real separation between Main Street and Wall Street. There is only the road we’re traveling on as Americans – and we will rise or fall on that journey as one nation; as one people.
This country and the dream it represents are being tested in a way that we haven’t seen in nearly a century. And future generations will judge ours by how we respond to this test. Will they say that this was a time when America lost its way and its purpose? When we allowed our own petty differences and broken politics to plunge this country into a dark and painful recession?
Or will they say that this was another one of those moments when America overcame? When we battled back from adversity by recognizing that common stake that we have in each other’s success?
This is one of those moments. I realize you’re cynical and fed up with politics. I understand that you’re disappointed and even angry with your leaders. You have every right to be. But despite all of this, I ask of you what’s been asked of the American people in times of trial and turmoil throughout our history. I ask you to believe – to believe in yourselves, in each other, and in the future we can build together.
Together, we cannot fail. Not now. Not when we have a crisis to solve and an economy to save. Not when there are so many Americans without jobs and without homes. Not when there are families who can’t afford to see a doctor, or send their child to college, or pay their bills at the end of the month. Not when there is a generation that is counting on us to give them the same opportunities and the same chances that we had for ourselves.
We can do this. Americans have done this before. Some of us had grandparents or parents who said maybe I can't go to college but my child can; maybe I can't have my own business but my child can. I may have to rent, but maybe my children will have a home they can call their own. I may not have a lot of money but maybe my child will run for Senate. I might live in a small village but maybe someday my son can be president of the United States of America.
Now it falls to us. Together, we cannot fail. And I need you to make it happen. If you want the next four years looking like the last eight, then I am not your candidate. But if you want real change – if you want an economy that rewards work, and that works for Main Street and Wall Street; if you want tax relief for the middle class and millions of new jobs; if you want health care you can afford and education that helps your kids compete; then I ask you to knock on some doors, make some calls, talk to your neighbors, and give me your vote on November 4th. And if you do, I promise you – we will win Pennsylvania, we will win this election, and then you and I – together – will change this country and change this world. Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless America.
In the mood of high security after the bomb attacks in the airport and in the metro, a lot of military vehicles, armoured cars and so on in the streets of the town centre.
I wanted to pick this beautiful sky too.
Edited with LR5
ODC Our Daily Challenge: High Security
Lucky to have the new farmer next to us with cows, sheps and horses. He built several fences around his "family".
sometimes you need one or more guiding lines
DB Cargo NOA High Security GUV 95761, NBA High Security Brake Van 94445 and FPA four-wheeled flat wagon 400282 in Willesden Brent Yard, 18th August 2016.
High security prison (colony) correctional facility – 28. More than 1300 prisoners jailed here. Ercevo, Arkhangelsk region, Russia.
High security prison (colony) correctional facility – 28. More than 1300 prisoners jailed here. Ercevo, Arkhangelsk region, Russia.
Afghanistan's infamous Pul-e Charkhi Prison on the eastern edge of Kabul. Inmates reported being beaten and electrocuted there during in the 1980s and 90s. Others were allegedly buried alive and human rights groups suspect claim the grounds contain mass graves, as yet undocumented. In 2006, just weeks after seven inmates escaped, five people were killed during a four-day riot in which inmates seized control of the prison.
Church. High security prison (colony) correctional facility – 28. More than 1300 prisoners jailed here. Ercevo, Arkhangelsk region, Russia.
One of the items in Jos Weyers' collection of locks, keys and tools: A high secure (and quite expensive) military padlock by S&G, with a Medeco interchangeable core cylinder.
The lock is able to resist many attack vectors, such as picking, bumping, wedging, cutting, sawing and drilling (it features ceramic discs inserted inside the shrouded shackle). It is even supposed to be able to withstand liquid nitrogen attacks, explosives.
In case of key compromise, the six pin cylinder can be re-keyed by using the operator key to disassemble the lock and exchange the cylinder core.
This type of lock was usually found in high-risk locations such as bunkers, weapons and munitions depots.
STERILE AREA –
RAF Barnham Nuclear Weapons Storage Facility was heavily secured and at the time was probably one of the most secure locations in the United Kingdom. The security element was the responsibility of the RAF Police (RAFP). Personnel from differing operating periods at RAF Barnham have stated that there were up to three varieties of RAF Police specialisations working at the site: 'Provost' 'Station' and 'Qualified Police Dog' (dog handlers).
As well as a standard outer fence and main gate picket post, the facility included an inner perimeter fence and within that an inner concrete wall with another picket post. The area between these two latter perimeters was classed as ''sterile'', with trip wires and flares in the gap between them and atop the wall, to alert the guard force to intruders. Pole-mounted lighting was positioned at regular intervals within the sterile area and halfway between the towers was a V-shaped bulge in the fence to allow patrolling guards the ability to look up and down the fence line from a small path that ran within the area. A telephone post was located at these bulges.
Two electric sliding gates at the outer and inner fence and a traditional style split middle wire gate acted as ''vehicle traps'' for any vehicle driving in or out. At the front sliding gate was a personnel turnstile controlled by the RAFP guardroom. At the rear sliding gate was personnel access to the inner picket where flammables and other contraband (matches, cigarettes, lighters etc) were surrendered before entering the ''Danger Area''.
RAFP Dog Handlers patrolled the site and the RAFP station staff manned the watch towers and pickets. The area between the outer and middle fence was patrolled by the Dog Handlers, with elements of the outer perimeter reportedly just spools of barbed wire.
Five Watch Towers, one at each point of the pentagonal fence, were located on the inside of the middle fencing when the site was decommissioned. These were accessible along the path within the sterile area near the fence line, some elements of which are still visible under the moss and foliage. A 6th vantage point was located on the maintenance building towards the centre of the compound. Each tower could see the others at the time of operational use (trees get in the way now) and were fitted with searchlights at a third of the way up and right at the top, possibly similar to those used on ships. It has been reported that the angle of the lights had to be limited as the Officer Commanding RAF Lakenheath had made complaints that his pilots were getting dazzled by RAF Barnham's watch towers.
The existing tall metal towers were believed to have been installed in late 1959/early 1960. Prior to this there were wooden ones, described as being pretty basic and about 15ft high, with a base around 6ft square with a large searchlight mounted in the centre which could be swung almost 360° in either direction. Access was reportedly by a wooden ladder and there was a single railing round about waist height. There was a field telephone at the top of the ladder and ''special'' binoculars were issued. The platforms were in roughly the same positions of the new towers but on the inside of the concrete path. It has been reported by another source that when the new towers were built, the fences had to be modified to accommodate them, via a U-shaped cut-out, visible on the site today.
A former RAFP Dog Handler stated that before being posted to Barnham, you and more importantly your dog had to gain at least 90% in exams/tests, meaning they had some of the best personnel and animals in the trade. In comparison, the RAFP Station staff stated that they received no special training as such for the role. They did get sent on a special security course, but that it was of little relevance or use to RAF Barnham. They simply classed it as another security related job. Some have stated that they spent a lot of time on the range, with many of the Police being marksmen. It has been reported that the RAFP were issued automatic 9mm pistols towards the end of the site's operational period, replacing the Smith and Wesson .38 that had been in common use.
The shift pattern recalled by most RAFP personnel spoken to consisted of 9 consecutive shifts comprising 3 evenings (1500-2300), 3 midnights (2300-0700) and 3 days (0700-1500) which would then be followed by 2 days off. Approximately 14 Station staff were on shift, comprising of one Sergeant shift controller, one Corporal deputy shift controller and 12 others, some made up of National Service personnel. Therefore, with an off duty shift, this meant a guard force of around 56, plus all of the ''X'' flight staff (the term used for those involved with the weapon convoys), which had around 14 personnel. It was usually an hour on and an hour off on the old wooden watch towers. The Dog Handler shift patterns were (1800-0000) and (0000-0600), with no day patrols, around 8 dogs were on site at a time.
This and other RAFP sources have said that the security personnel knew very little about the goings on inside, even with the vantage points of the towers. It is reported that all movements were specially screened to be hidden from view, with even the large bombs themselves sheeted. One RAFP officer had even reported as quipping to a convoy commander about ''another glider'' coming in, making reference to the similarity between the ''Blue Danube'' pantechnicon and a glider trailer.
Information sourced from – rafbarnham-nss.weebly.com/security.html
One of the items in Jos Weyers' collection of locks, keys and tools: A high secure (and quite expensive) military padlock by S&G, with a Medeco interchangeable core cylinder.
The lock is able to resist many attack vectors, such as picking, bumping, wedging, cutting, sawing and drilling (it features ceramic discs inserted inside the shrouded shackle). It is even supposed to be able to withstand liquid nitrogen attacks, explosives.
In case of key compromise, the six pin cylinder can be re-keyed by using the operator key to disassemble the lock and exchange the cylinder core.
This type of lock was usually found in high-risk locations such as bunkers, weapons and munitions depots.
One of the items in Jos Weyers' collection of locks, keys and tools: A high secure (and quite expensive) military padlock by S&G, with a Medeco interchangeable core cylinder.
The lock is able to resist many attack vectors, such as picking, bumping, wedging, cutting, sawing and drilling (it features ceramic discs inserted inside the shrouded shackle). It is even supposed to be able to withstand liquid nitrogen attacks, explosives.
In case of key compromise, the six pin cylinder can be re-keyed by using the operator key to disassemble the lock and exchange the cylinder core.
This type of lock was usually found in high-risk locations such as bunkers, weapons and munitions depots.
This lock was only made from 1982 to 1983 (as far as i am aware) to be used in high security applications in various branches of the US military (namely weapons creates and "to safegard nuclear weapons". This was a special project, as Hi-Shear does not generally produce locks; they are a company that produces airspace tools and fasteners, including exploding rivets for jet cockpits. The lock has a removable 6 pin Medeco cylinder, and came standard with 3 keys, 2 standard and one control, that allowed to actually pull out the cylinder.
The gap in the shackle is designed to very snugly fit the staple of various crates and i would think gates, especially those securing nuclear weapons, which was where this lock saw most of it's use, according to documentation.
The lock is made of some sort of cast steel, the shackle is hardened steel with a carbide insert to protect it from being cut apart, its very thick and heavy, looks like it will easily survive a few rounds even from moderate caliber weapon. The keyway is protected from drilling by a ceramic plate.
The only problem with the lock was that because of it's weight, over a year's use, it would actually sag down the lid, which forces the 2 part staple to spread apart enough to jam the shackle such that even with a stock key, the lock would be nearly impossible to open. Add to that some rust, salt and dust that gets built up when the crates get transported, left outside, or shipped, and its a recipe to an unlocking disaster. The next generation locks, such as Sargent and Greenleaf 833, are actually lighter, and with a different weight distribution, as well as an improved locking/unlocking mechanism, which solved the problem. (You can see in the pictures that show the bottom part of the lock, that in order to unlock the 1200 after it had jammed, they had to loosen the shackle by hitting it with a hammer from underneath)
This particular lock is restored, the cylinder was rusted and inoperable, it was replaced with another government keyway medeco cylinder, the only problem was getting the control key to work, as the notch that was present on the original keys that allowed it to be turned counter clockwise to unlock the pins that hold the cylinder in was not present on the control key, but a little bit of grinding later all works well...
(P.S. if anyone has any more info on this lock, i would very much like to learn more about it)
P.P.S. a friend of mine is writing up a paper (long paper) on locks, this one is going to be one of them, so while the picture is creative commons, share alike, attribution non-commercial, the information (though vague) is copyrighted until he finishes the report, I'll post a link when the report is made public, sorry for the inconvenience.
High security prison (colony) correctional facility – 28. More than 1300 prisoners jailed here. Ercevo, Arkhangelsk region, Russia.
High security prison (colony) correctional facility – 28. More than 1300 prisoners jailed here. Ercevo, Arkhangelsk region, Russia.
STERILE AREA –
RAF Barnham Nuclear Weapons Storage Facility was heavily secured and at the time was probably one of the most secure locations in the United Kingdom. The security element was the responsibility of the RAF Police (RAFP). Personnel from differing operating periods at RAF Barnham have stated that there were up to three varieties of RAF Police specialisations working at the site: 'Provost' 'Station' and 'Qualified Police Dog' (dog handlers).
As well as a standard outer fence and main gate picket post, the facility included an inner perimeter fence and within that an inner concrete wall with another picket post. The area between these two latter perimeters was classed as ''sterile'', with trip wires and flares in the gap between them and atop the wall, to alert the guard force to intruders. Pole-mounted lighting was positioned at regular intervals within the sterile area and halfway between the towers was a V-shaped bulge in the fence to allow patrolling guards the ability to look up and down the fence line from a small path that ran within the area. A telephone post was located at these bulges.
Two electric sliding gates at the outer and inner fence and a traditional style split middle wire gate acted as ''vehicle traps'' for any vehicle driving in or out. At the front sliding gate was a personnel turnstile controlled by the RAFP guardroom. At the rear sliding gate was personnel access to the inner picket where flammables and other contraband (matches, cigarettes, lighters etc) were surrendered before entering the ''Danger Area''.
RAFP Dog Handlers patrolled the site and the RAFP station staff manned the watch towers and pickets. The area between the outer and middle fence was patrolled by the Dog Handlers, with elements of the outer perimeter reportedly just spools of barbed wire.
Five Watch Towers, one at each point of the pentagonal fence, were located on the inside of the middle fencing when the site was decommissioned. These were accessible along the path within the sterile area near the fence line, some elements of which are still visible under the moss and foliage. A 6th vantage point was located on the maintenance building towards the centre of the compound. Each tower could see the others at the time of operational use (trees get in the way now) and were fitted with searchlights at a third of the way up and right at the top, possibly similar to those used on ships. It has been reported that the angle of the lights had to be limited as the Officer Commanding RAF Lakenheath had made complaints that his pilots were getting dazzled by RAF Barnham's watch towers.
The existing tall metal towers were believed to have been installed in late 1959/early 1960. Prior to this there were wooden ones, described as being pretty basic and about 15ft high, with a base around 6ft square with a large searchlight mounted in the centre which could be swung almost 360° in either direction. Access was reportedly by a wooden ladder and there was a single railing round about waist height. There was a field telephone at the top of the ladder and ''special'' binoculars were issued. The platforms were in roughly the same positions of the new towers but on the inside of the concrete path. It has been reported by another source that when the new towers were built, the fences had to be modified to accommodate them, via a U-shaped cut-out, visible on the site today.
A former RAFP Dog Handler stated that before being posted to Barnham, you and more importantly your dog had to gain at least 90% in exams/tests, meaning they had some of the best personnel and animals in the trade. In comparison, the RAFP Station staff stated that they received no special training as such for the role. They did get sent on a special security course, but that it was of little relevance or use to RAF Barnham. They simply classed it as another security related job. Some have stated that they spent a lot of time on the range, with many of the Police being marksmen. It has been reported that the RAFP were issued automatic 9mm pistols towards the end of the site's operational period, replacing the Smith and Wesson .38 that had been in common use.
The shift pattern recalled by most RAFP personnel spoken to consisted of 9 consecutive shifts comprising 3 evenings (1500-2300), 3 midnights (2300-0700) and 3 days (0700-1500) which would then be followed by 2 days off. Approximately 14 Station staff were on shift, comprising of one Sergeant shift controller, one Corporal deputy shift controller and 12 others, some made up of National Service personnel. Therefore, with an off duty shift, this meant a guard force of around 56, plus all of the ''X'' flight staff (the term used for those involved with the weapon convoys), which had around 14 personnel. It was usually an hour on and an hour off on the old wooden watch towers. The Dog Handler shift patterns were (1800-0000) and (0000-0600), with no day patrols, around 8 dogs were on site at a time.
This and other RAFP sources have said that the security personnel knew very little about the goings on inside, even with the vantage points of the towers. It is reported that all movements were specially screened to be hidden from view, with even the large bombs themselves sheeted. One RAFP officer had even reported as quipping to a convoy commander about ''another glider'' coming in, making reference to the similarity between the ''Blue Danube'' pantechnicon and a glider trailer.
Information sourced from – rafbarnham-nss.weebly.com/security.html
High security prison (colony) correctional facility – 28. More than 1300 prisoners jailed here. Ercevo, Arkhangelsk region, Russia.
STERILE AREA –
RAF Barnham Nuclear Weapons Storage Facility was heavily secured and at the time was probably one of the most secure locations in the United Kingdom. The security element was the responsibility of the RAF Police (RAFP). Personnel from differing operating periods at RAF Barnham have stated that there were up to three varieties of RAF Police specialisations working at the site: 'Provost' 'Station' and 'Qualified Police Dog' (dog handlers).
As well as a standard outer fence and main gate picket post, the facility included an inner perimeter fence and within that an inner concrete wall with another picket post. The area between these two latter perimeters was classed as ''sterile'', with trip wires and flares in the gap between them and atop the wall, to alert the guard force to intruders. Pole-mounted lighting was positioned at regular intervals within the sterile area and halfway between the towers was a V-shaped bulge in the fence to allow patrolling guards the ability to look up and down the fence line from a small path that ran within the area. A telephone post was located at these bulges.
Two electric sliding gates at the outer and inner fence and a traditional style split middle wire gate acted as ''vehicle traps'' for any vehicle driving in or out. At the front sliding gate was a personnel turnstile controlled by the RAFP guardroom. At the rear sliding gate was personnel access to the inner picket where flammables and other contraband (matches, cigarettes, lighters etc) were surrendered before entering the ''Danger Area''.
RAFP Dog Handlers patrolled the site and the RAFP station staff manned the watch towers and pickets. The area between the outer and middle fence was patrolled by the Dog Handlers, with elements of the outer perimeter reportedly just spools of barbed wire.
Five Watch Towers, one at each point of the pentagonal fence, were located on the inside of the middle fencing when the site was decommissioned. These were accessible along the path within the sterile area near the fence line, some elements of which are still visible under the moss and foliage. A 6th vantage point was located on the maintenance building towards the centre of the compound. Each tower could see the others at the time of operational use (trees get in the way now) and were fitted with searchlights at a third of the way up and right at the top, possibly similar to those used on ships. It has been reported that the angle of the lights had to be limited as the Officer Commanding RAF Lakenheath had made complaints that his pilots were getting dazzled by RAF Barnham's watch towers.
The existing tall metal towers were believed to have been installed in late 1959/early 1960. Prior to this there were wooden ones, described as being pretty basic and about 15ft high, with a base around 6ft square with a large searchlight mounted in the centre which could be swung almost 360° in either direction. Access was reportedly by a wooden ladder and there was a single railing round about waist height. There was a field telephone at the top of the ladder and ''special'' binoculars were issued. The platforms were in roughly the same positions of the new towers but on the inside of the concrete path. It has been reported by another source that when the new towers were built, the fences had to be modified to accommodate them, via a U-shaped cut-out, visible on the site today.
A former RAFP Dog Handler stated that before being posted to Barnham, you and more importantly your dog had to gain at least 90% in exams/tests, meaning they had some of the best personnel and animals in the trade. In comparison, the RAFP Station staff stated that they received no special training as such for the role. They did get sent on a special security course, but that it was of little relevance or use to RAF Barnham. They simply classed it as another security related job. Some have stated that they spent a lot of time on the range, with many of the Police being marksmen. It has been reported that the RAFP were issued automatic 9mm pistols towards the end of the site's operational period, replacing the Smith and Wesson .38 that had been in common use.
The shift pattern recalled by most RAFP personnel spoken to consisted of 9 consecutive shifts comprising 3 evenings (1500-2300), 3 midnights (2300-0700) and 3 days (0700-1500) which would then be followed by 2 days off. Approximately 14 Station staff were on shift, comprising of one Sergeant shift controller, one Corporal deputy shift controller and 12 others, some made up of National Service personnel. Therefore, with an off duty shift, this meant a guard force of around 56, plus all of the ''X'' flight staff (the term used for those involved with the weapon convoys), which had around 14 personnel. It was usually an hour on and an hour off on the old wooden watch towers. The Dog Handler shift patterns were (1800-0000) and (0000-0600), with no day patrols, around 8 dogs were on site at a time.
This and other RAFP sources have said that the security personnel knew very little about the goings on inside, even with the vantage points of the towers. It is reported that all movements were specially screened to be hidden from view, with even the large bombs themselves sheeted. One RAFP officer had even reported as quipping to a convoy commander about ''another glider'' coming in, making reference to the similarity between the ''Blue Danube'' pantechnicon and a glider trailer.
Information sourced from – rafbarnham-nss.weebly.com/security.html
Dining hall. High security prison (colony) correctional facility – 28. More than 1300 prisoners jailed here. Ercevo, Arkhangelsk region, Russia.
Synagogue. High security prison (colony) correctional facility – 28. More than 1300 prisoners jailed here. Ercevo, Arkhangelsk region, Russia.