Counter Terrorism Policing Security Advice

The National Counter Terrorism Security Office has issued the following advice as they depend on everyone to be their extra eyes and ears to help keep all of our communities safe. This is a reminder of the most important festive, and event security advice.

The festive period is a busy one. There are more events, more mail and deliveries, and more crowded places.

Here is a reminder of the steps you can take to support the police, protect your business, staff and customers, and make the UK safer for everyone.

Accreditation, search and screening at your events. Ensure you have the right arrangements in place to keep attendees safe and secure. There is CPNI guidance on personnel and people security here. https://www.cpni.gov.uk/content/search-and-screening

Busier than usual? If your business is enjoying an increase in festive footfall, then remind yourself of the Crowded Places Guidance, and take steps to mitigate the threat from terrorism. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/crowded-places-guidance

Festive vigilance. We all have a role to play. Please use the free festive campaign materials with your staff and customers, and remind them to report any concerns to staff, security or the police. https://www.counterterrorism.police.uk/winter2019ext/

Handling more mail and deliveries. Remind your team of mail handling protocols and make sure you have effective and appropriate mail screening measures in place. Consider off-site screening. There is mail handling advice available and a Mail Screening and Security Guide here. https://www.cpni.gov.uk/mail-screening-matters-0
https://www.cpni.gov.uk/system/files/documents/3f/b7/Introduction-to-PAS-97-2015.pdf

Encourage your staff to play their part. Invite them to complete the ACT Awareness e-Learning course, which is now even easier to access – just log on and learn. More than 1 million modules have already be completed. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/act-awareness-elearning

Look out for vulnerable individuals. Your staff may be in a position to identify and support someone who may be vulnerable to becoming involved in extremism or terrorism. There is advice on the signs to spot at www.ltai.info, and support for organisations with educating staff on identifying and reporting unusual or concerning workplace behaviours here. https://www.cpni.gov.uk/its-ok-to-say-education-programme

Follow the Run Hide Tell advice. Last week we saw acts of incredible bravery by members of the public. But in the unlikely event you are caught up in a firearms or weapons attack, police advice is still: Run to a place of safety. This is a far better option than to surrender or negotiate. If there is nowhere to go then… Hide, it’s better than to confront. Remember to turn your phone to silent and turn off vibrate. Barricade yourself in if you can. Then finally, and only when it is safe to do so, Tell the police by calling 999. https://www.counterterrorism.police.uk/what-you-can-do/