Date: June 2025 – October 2025
Security Integrator: Littlewood Group
Client: Southern Water
Security Fencing System: ExMesh Engineering
Project Overview
Littlewood Group was appointed by the principal contractor to deliver a comprehensive, Southern Water, compliant security upgrade at Sandown Water Treatment Works on the Isle of Wight. The project formed part of Southern Water’s ongoing programme to strengthen physical and electronic security across critical operational sites.
As part of the perimeter security solution, ExMesh Engineering’s ProtEx 3 high-security fencing system was specified to provide a certified physical barrier capable of resisting sustained attack, while supporting integration with perimeter intrusion detection and CCTV systems.
The works included civil infrastructure, installation of high-security fencing, extension of the perimeter intrusion detection system (PIDS), and installation of CCTV to create a fully integrated and compliant security solution.
Design and Planning
Littlewood Group developed the concept and detailed design for the CCTV and perimeter intrusion detection systems, ensuring full compliance with Southern Water’s operational and security requirements.
Our ProtEx 3 fencing system was selected due to its independently tested performance to LPS 1175 SR3, making it suitable for critical infrastructure environments. The expanded metal mesh design provides a strong and resilient barrier while maintaining visibility, allowing detection systems and CCTV to operate effectively.
Coordination between Littlewood Group and the wider project team ensured that fence layouts, foundations and detection interfaces were designed to meet both structural and security performance requirements.
Installation and Integration
Littlewood Group worked closely with the project team to ensure all fence and camera foundations were installed correctly and in accordance with specification. Our ProtEx 3 fencing system was then installed around the site perimeter, forming the primary physical security barrier.
The perimeter intrusion detection system was mounted directly to the ProtEx 3 mesh and integrated with the site’s existing Honeywell alarm system, providing continuous monitoring and rapid alert capability.
CCTV cameras were installed at key locations throughout the site to provide clear visual coverage of access points and perimeter areas. The combination of high-security fencing, detection systems and surveillance created a coordinated and effective perimeter protection solution.
Security Fencing System: ProtEx 3
Our ProtEx 3 system formed a key part of the overall perimeter security strategy. Certified to LPS 1175 SR3, ProtEx 3 is designed to provide proven resistance to forced entry in high-risk environments.
Manufactured from expanded metal mesh, the system provides strength, durability and visibility, supporting both physical protection and electronic detection. Its open mesh structure allows seamless integration with PIDS and CCTV, ensuring reliable detection without compromising perimeter integrity.
ProtEx 3 is widely used across critical infrastructure, utilities and high-security sites where independently tested perimeter protection is required.
Outcome
The completed upgrade has significantly strengthened security at Sandown Water Treatment Works. The integration of the ProtEx 3 high-security fencing system with PIDS and CCTV has enhanced perimeter protection, improved detection capability, and provided a long-term, compliant security solution.
This project demonstrates the role of ExMesh Engineering’s independently tested fencing systems in supporting the protection of critical national infrastructure, as part of fully integrated security solutions delivered by specialist partners such as Littlewood Group.
