A remote ‘kill switch’ to immobilise HGVs is being secretly developed by Government scientists who fear a Nice-style massacre in the UK.

They are investigating methods of interfering with the electronics of lorries to stop them in their tracks if hijacked or used in an attack.

They fear Islamic State militants could try to emulate the horrific strike in France which left 86 people dead in July.

A suspected terrorist drove a truck (pictured) into a crowd of shoppers at a Christmas market in Berlin in December

A 19-tonne rented truck left a trail of carnage as it rammed through the coastal city’s packed promenade during Bastille Day celebrations.

Experts in the Home Office’s scientific wing want to develop and install technology which would enable them to stop high risk vehicles remotely.

These include HGVs and other large vehicles, particularly those carrying hazardous loads such as fuel and chemicals.

Known as Project Restore, which stands for the REmote STOpping of Road Engines, they are also setting minimum standards for the innovation.

‘Law enforcement are looking at the technical ability to immobilise vehicles when criminals misuse them,’ said one senior official.

A lorry tore through crowds of terrified pedestrians in Nice, southern France (pictured) during Bastille Day celebration in July

‘This would have the added benefit of increasing the security of vehicles making them more difficult to steal.

‘It also gives police an additional option for stopping a moving vehicle and regaining control without the use of firearms.’

Ministers are concerned that HGVs could be used by terrorists as an improvised weapon to devastating effect.

Landmark buildings, transport hubs and public buildings are already protected by heavy concrete bollards and gates designed to prevent access.

Temporary measures to seal off streets are also used during major public events such as the Notting Hill Carnival and Royal celebrations.

But police advisors fear it could be all too easy for a terrorist to hire or steal an HGV, or even pose as a bogus employee.

Earlier this year, Scotland Yard boss Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said he would like to be able to switch off all vehicles, including mopeds, remotely.

‘My ideal scenario would be that we’d have a device that slowed down the car in front,’ he said. ‘If there was a way of intervening in the electronic management of the car.

Government scientists who fear a Nice-style massacre in the UK are investigating methods of interfering with the electronics of lorries to stop them in their tracks if hijacked

‘It may sound far-fetched but these things can be developed and, of course, now cars have got more electronic brains, so that for me that would be a great opportunity to safely slow down the vehicle.’

It is not the first time that policing agencies have investigated a ‘kill switch’ for cars, and similar devices are already available in the private sector.

Two years ago it was revealed that the European Union is secretly developing the technology as part of wider law enforcement surveillance and tracking measures.

A leaked document said the technological solution would become a ‘build in standard’ for all cars that enter the European market.

It could be activated from a police worker monitoring the movement of the vehicle via GPS from a control centre.

Experts in the Home Office’s scientific wing want to develop and install technology which would enable them to stop high risk vehicles remotely

‘Cars on the run can be dangerous for citizens,’ said the document. ‘Criminal offenders will take risks to escape after a crime.

‘In most cases the police are unable to chase the criminal due to a lack of efficient means to stop the vehicle safely.’

Chrys Rampley, the Road Haulage Association’s security manager, said: ‘The technology exists, but questions remain on the consequences of stopping a vehicle remotely.

‘The problem is that stinger-type devices do not work on large vehicles so there needs to be another way of stopping or slowing a vehicle down.

‘Post the Nice attack, we are looking at lots of different options and as an organisation we work very closely with the police.’