As the founder and director of Wirral Pride, my priority has always been to create a space where our
community feels seen, celebrated, and—above all else—secure. When we planned our most recent
event, we knew we had to take a stand on public safety. That is why I am proud to confirm that Wirral
Pride became the first event on the peninsula to officially deploy H-Stops (Hostile Vehicle Mitigation
devices).

This decision was deeply informed by the tragic events we all witnessed across the water. The horror of
the Liverpool victory parade, where a car ploughed into a crowd and injured over 130 people, was a
wake-up call for event organizers everywhere. Seeing the devastation that a single vehicle can cause in a
high-density area changed the way I look at street-side celebrations. For me, it wasn’t just a news story;
it was a clear signal that we had to do more.

Why H-Stops Were Essential
Following the incident in Liverpool, I knew that standard barriers wouldn’t be enough to offer the peace
of mind our community deserves. By being the first on the Wirral to bring in H-Stops, we implemented a
gold-standard security solution:
Engineered for Impact: Unlike plastic or standard metal fencing, H-Stops are specifically designed to stop
a vehicle in its tracks.

Proactive Defense: We didn’t want to wait for “if” or “when.” We wanted a physical guarantee that the
pedestrianized zones of our Pride would remain a sanctuary.

Balance of Security and Access: These devices are a formidable defense against vehicles, yet they are
designed so that wheelchair users, prams, and pedestrians can still move freely and safely.
Lessons Learned, Lives Protected

The reality is that when thousands of us gather to celebrate our identity, we are at our most vibrant, but
also our most vulnerable. The 130+ injuries in Liverpool—many involving children and families just like
ours—showed us that “hope” is not a security strategy.
“We saw the pain and the chaos that happened in Liverpool, and I made a promise that we would do
everything in our power to prevent such a tragedy from ever touching the Wirral. By investing in H-Stops,
we chose to put people over passivity.”
Setting a New Benchmark
I believe that as Wirral Pride grows, so does our responsibility to lead. By being the first to adopt this
technology, we’ve shown the local authorities and other event organizers that this level of protection is
possible and necessary.

I want every person who attends Wirral Pride to know that their safety is my personal commitment. We
want you to focus on the music, the laughter, and the love—not the “what ifs.” We’ve set a new
standard for the peninsula, and we will never stop looking for ways to keep our Pride family safe.
— Jamie Carter
Founder & Director, Wirral Pride