Prepare for terrorist attacks

Preparing For A
Terrorist Attack
PUBLISHED BY CAW CONSULTANCY BUSINESS SOLUTIONS LTD

Terrorism In 2017
1
CHAPTER 1
We have seen a number of terrorist attacked over recent years and a number of people
have died at the hands of these horrific events, many more have been left to mourn the
loss of loved ones, we have designed this Free Ebook to help prepare you for the worse
with some preparation you can be more effective in a terror attack and hopefully
reduce the amount of casualties and deaths.
We hope you find this publication useful and we would like to thank everyone who has
contributed, the only way that we can ever stand up to terror is as one, terrorist want
to separate the people and cause hate, we must not let that happen,

2
Here are just some of the attacks that have taken place:
Finsbury Park terror attack: Just after midnight on June 19 2017
A van driver mowed down Muslim worshippers on Seven Sisters Road near Finsbury
Park mosque in the very early hours of June 19.
One man was left dead, while eight injured victims were taken to hospital and two
others were treated at the scene.
London Bridge terror attack: June 3 2017
The London terror attack killed eight people and injured many others on London
Bridge and in nearby Borough Market on Saturday June 3.
Three knifemen were shot dead by police after mowing down pedestrians the bridge
and going on a killing spree at pubs and restaurants at 10pm.
Manchester terror attack: May 22 2017
The Manchester terror attack killed at least 22 people and injured 59 others at an Ari-
ana Grande concert at Manchester Arena on Monday May 22.
A lone suicide bomber detonated explosives among teenage fans leaving the concert
at 10.33pm
Paris shooting: April 20 2017
A policeman was killed on the Champs Elysees in Paris in what is being treated as a
terror-related attack.
ISIS have claimed responsibility for the killing, which comes just days before the
French presidential election.
The gunman has been named in the media as Karim Cheurfi, a 39-year-old man who
allegedly served 15 years in prison for three attempted murders.
The attacker was shot dead at the scene.

3
Stockholm attack: April 7 2017
Four people were killed and at least fifteen were injured when a man drove a truck
down a busy shopping street.
Rakhmat Akilov, a failed asylum seeker from Uzbekistan, has been arrested and
charged in connection with the attack.
The 39-year-old has allegedly admitted being a member of ISIS and told police investi-
gators that he had “achieved what he set out to do”.
Westminster attack: March 22 2017
London attacker Khalid Masood mowed down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge,
killing two men and two women and injuring many others.
The knifeman crashed his car into the railings outside Parliament, got out and ran
into New Palace Yard where he stabbed a brave police officer to death.
Masood was shot dead by armed police.
Louvre knife attack: February 3 2017
A knifeman was shot while trying to attack a group of soldiers guarding the Louvre in
Paris on February 3.
The attacker reportedly cried ‘Allahu Akbar’ and drew a machete on the soldiers after
being told he could not enter the Louvre Carrousel shopping centre with two
backpacks.
Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said the attack was "clearly of terrorist nature"
but said that no explosives were found in the bags.
other people hostage. One of hostages is fighting for his life.
Police have now shot dead the attackers. Islamic State (ISIS) has claimed that the
men were soldiers of their sick cause.

4
Berlin Christmas market attack: December 19 2016
Attacker Anis Amri drove a lorry into a packed Christmas market, killing 12 people
and injuring more than 60, in Berlin.
Normandy church attack: Tuesday July 26 2016
Armed men slit the throat of a priest and took several others hostage after storming a
church during mass in Normandy on Tuesday July 26.
Two armed men stormed a church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, a suburb of Rouen
in northern France.
The attackers slit the throat of elderly priest Father Jacques Hamel and took four
other people hostage. One of hostages is fighting for his life.
Police have now shot dead the attackers. Islamic State (ISIS) has claimed that the
men were soldiers of their sick cause.
Attacks in Germany: July 2016
A doctor died after being shot in a Berlin hospital on Tuesday July 26 during the fifth
horror attack in Germany in just over a week.
The string of violent attacks started when an axeman hacked passengers on a train in
Wurzburg on Monday July 18.
A young Iranian-German guman went on a deadly rampage in Munich on Friday July
22 after being inspired by far-right killer Anders Breivik.
In two separate attacks on Sunday July 24, a man blew himself up in Ansbach and a
man killed a pregnant woman duirng a machete attack in Reutlingen.
Nice terror attack: July 14 2016
A terrorist in a lorry mowed down revellers who had just finished watching a firework
display to mark Bastille Day in France.
The horrific rampage killed 84 people and injured hundreds of others on the prome-
nade in the seaside town of Nice.
The attacker Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, a 41-year-old Tunisian-born French citi-
zen, was shot dead by security forces.

5
Brussels bombings: March 22 2016
The Brussels bombings killed 32 people and wounded more than 300 other victims in
a day of terror.
There were two suicide bombings at Brussels Airport and another bombing at a
Metro station in the Belgium capital.
Paris attacks: November 13 2015
A series of terrifying attacks in Paris killed 130 victims and injured hundreds of oth-
ers. It was the most deadly assault on French soil since World War II.
A suicide bombing at the Stade de France stadium were followed by more explosions
and shootings at popular bars and restaurants in Paris.
Three gunmen also opened fire at Bataclan concert hall and killed spectators who
were watching the Eagles of Death Metal perform.
Charlie Hebdo attack: January 7 2015
Two masked gunmen carried out a bloody terror attack on the French satirical weekly
newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris.
Brothers Saïd and Chérif Kouachi killed 12 people during the lunchtime massacre at
the Charlie Hebdo offices in the French capital.
A policewoman was killed a day later. On January 9, another terrorist killed four hos-
tages at a Jewish supermarket.

A Word on What Could Happen
As we’ve learned from previous events,
the following things can happen after a
terrorist attack:
• There can be significant numbers of
casualties and/or damage to buildings
and the infrastructure. So employers
need up-to-date information about any
medical needs you may have and on how
to contact your designated beneficiaries.
• Heavy law enforcement involvement at
local, state and federal levels follows a
terrorist attack due to the event's crimi-
nal nature.
• Health and mental health resources in
the affected communities can be strained
to their limits, maybe even over-
whelmed.
Personal & Family Safety
6
CHAPTER 2

• Extensive media coverage, strong pub-
lic fear and international implications
and consequences can continue for a pro-
longed period.
• Workplaces and schools may be closed,
and there may be restrictions on domes-
tic and international travel.
• You and your family or household may
have to evacuate an area, avoiding roads
blocked for your safety.
• Clean-up may take many months.
Finding out what can happen is the first
step. Once you have determined the
events possible and their potential in
your community, it is important that you
discuss them with your family or house-
hold. Develop a disaster plan together.
You should construct an emergency
plan, and an emergency bag to ensure
that you and your family are not only
briefed but are also physically prepared
for the worse to happen
Here is an example of an emergency
Contact card, we have also added an
emergency plan template and emer-
gency bag checklist to allow you to pre-
pare for any emergency, including ter-
ror attacks.
7

1. Create an emergency communica-
tions plan.
Choose an out-of-town contact your fam-
ily or household will call or e-mail to
check on each other should a disaster oc-
cur. Your selected contact should live far
enough away that they would be unlikely
to be directly affected by the same event,
and they should know they are the cho-
sen contact. Make sure every household
member has that contact's, and each
other's, e-mail addresses and telephone
numbers (home, work, pager and cell).
Leave these contact numbers at your chil-
dren's schools, if you have children, and
at your workplace.
Before An Attack
10
CHAPTER 3

2. Establish a meeting place.
If you need to evacuate your home or are
asked to "shelter in place," having some
essential supplies on hand will make you
and your family more comfortable. Pre-
pare a disaster supplies kit in an easy-to-
carry container such as a duffel bag or
small plastic trash can. Include "special
needs" items for any member of your
household (infant formula or items for
people with disabilities or older people),
first aid supplies (including prescription
medications), a change of clothing for
each household member, a sleeping bag
or bedroll for each, a battery-powered ra-
dio or television and extra batteries,
food, bottled water and tools. It is also a
good idea to include some cash and cop-
ies of important family documents (birth
certificates, passports and licenses) in
your kit.
Copies of essential documents-like pow-
ers of attorney, birth and marriage certifi-
cates, insurance policies, life insurance
beneficiary designations and a copy of
your will-should also be kept in a safe lo-
cation outside your home. A safe deposit
box or the home of a friend or family
member who lives out of town is a good
choice.
3. Assemble an emergency prepar-
edness kit.
If you need to evacuate your home or are
asked to "shelter in place," having some
essential supplies on hand will make you
and your family more comfortable. Pre-
pare a disaster supplies kit in an easy-to-
carry container such as a duffel bag or
small plastic trash can. Include "special
needs" items for any member of your
household (infant formula or items for
people with disabilities or older people),
first aid supplies (including prescription
medications), a change of clothing for
each household member, a sleeping bag
or bedroll for each, a battery-powered ra-
dio or television and extra batteries,
food, bottled water and tools. It is also a
good idea to include some cash and cop-
ies of important family documents (birth
certificates, passports and licenses) in
your kit.
Copies of essential documents-like pow-
ers of attorney, birth and marriage certifi-
cates, insurance policies, life insurance
beneficiary designations and a copy of
your will-should also be kept in a safe lo-
cation outside your home. A safe deposit
box or the home of a friend or family
member who lives out of town is a good
choice.
11

4. Check on the school emergency
plan of any school-age children you
may have.
You need to know if they will they keep
children at school until a parent or desig-
nated adult can pick them up or send
them home on their own. Be sure that
the school has updated information
about how to reach parents and responsi-
ble caregivers to arrange for pickup.
And, ask what type of authorization the
school may require to release a child to
someone you designate, if you are not
able to pick up your child. During times
of emergency the school telephones may
be overwhelmed with calls.
Additional Positive Steps You Can
Take
Another useful preparation includes
learning some basic first aid. To enroll in
a First Aid and AED/CPR course, contact
a Training Support Center to begin the
process. In an emergency situation, you
need to tend to your own well-being first
and then consider first aid for others im-
mediately around you, including possibly
assisting injured people to evacuate a
building if necessary.
12

If an Event of Terrorism Occurs
• Remain calm and be patient.
• Follow the advice of local emergency of-
ficials.
• Listen to your radio or television for
news and instructions.
• If the event occurs near you, check for
injuries. Give first aid and get help for se-
riously injured people.
• If the event occurs near your home
while you are there, check for damage us-
ing a flashlight. Do not light matches or
candles or turn on electrical switches.
Check for fires, fire hazards and other
household hazards. Sniff for gas leaks,
starting at the water heater. If you smell
gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main
gas valve, open windows, and get every-
one outside quickly.
• Shut off any other damaged utilities.
During An Attack
13
CHAPTER 4

• Confine or secure your pets.
• Call your family contact—do not use
the telephone again unless it is a life-
threatening emergency.
• Check on your neighbors, especially
those who are elderly or disabled.
• Evacuation During a Terror Attack
• If local authorities ask you to leave your
home, they have a good reason to make
this request, and you should heed the ad-
vice immediately. Listen to your radio or
television and follow the instructions of
local emergency officials and keep these
simple tips in mind:
• Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants
and sturdy shoes so you can be protected
as much as possible.
• Take your disaster supplies kit.
• Take your pets with you; do not leave
them behind. Because pets are not per-
mitted in public shelters, follow your
plan to go to a relative's or friend's
home, or find a "pet-friendly" hotel.
• Lock your home.
• Use travel routes specified by local
authorities—don't use shortcuts because
certain areas may be impassable or dan-
gerous.
• Stay away from downed power lines.
• Listen to Your Local Authorities
Your local authorities will provide you
with the most accurate information spe-
cific to an event in your area. Staying
tuned to local radio and television, and
following their instructions is your safest
choice.
If you're sure you have time:
• Call your family contact to tell them
where you are going and when you ex-
pect to arrive.
• Shut off water and electricity before
leaving, if instructed to do so. Leave natu-
ral gas service ON unless local officials
advise you otherwise. You may need gas
for heating and cooking, and only a pro-
fessional can restore gas service in your
home once it's been turned off. In a disas-
ter situation it could take weeks for a pro-
fessional to respond.
If you are advised by local officials to
"shelter in place," what they mean is for
you to remain inside your home or office
and protect yourself there. Close and
lock all windows and exterior doors.
Turn off all fans, heating and air condi-
tioning systems. Close the fireplace
damper. Get your disaster supplies kit,
and make sure the radio is working. Go
14

to an interior room without windows
that's above ground level. In the case of a
chemical threat, an above-ground loca-
tion is preferable because some chemi-
cals are heavier than air, and may seep
into basements even if the windows are
closed. Using duct tape, seal all cracks
around the door and any vents into the
room. Keep listening to your radio or tele-
vision until you are told all is safe or you
are told to evacuate. Local officials may
call for evacuation in specific areas at
greatest risk in your community.
Additional Positive Steps You Can
Take
Raw, unedited footage of terrorism
events and people's reaction to those
events can be very upsetting, especially
to children. We do not recommend that
children watch television news reports
about such events, especially if the news
reports show images over and over again
about the same incident. Young children
do not realize that it is repeated video
footage, and think the event is happen-
ing again and again. Adults may also
need to give themselves a break from
watching disturbing footage. However,
listening to local radio and television re-
ports will provide you with the most accu-
rate information from responsible gov-
ernmental authorities on what's happen-
ing and what actions you will need to
take. So you may want to make some ar-
rangements to take turns listening to the
news with other adult members of your
household.
15

What to Expect after an Act of
Terrorism
An act of terrorism may have wide-
spread and devastating results. You
should be prepared for the following
things after an attack:
• There can be significant numbers of
casualties and/or damage to buildings
and the infrastructure. So employers
need up-to-date information about any
medical needs you may have and on how
to contact your designated beneficiaries.
After An Attack
16
CHAPTER 5

• Heavy law enforcement involvement at
local, state and federal levels follows a
terrorist attack due to the event's crimi-
nal nature.
• Health and mental health resources in
the affected communities can be strained
to their limits, maybe even over-
whelmed.
• Extensive media coverage, strong pub-
lic fear and international implications
and consequences can continue for a pro-
longed period.
• Workplaces and schools may be closed,
and there may be restrictions on domes-
tic and international travel.
• You and your family or household may
have to evacuate an area, avoiding roads
blocked for your safety.
17

How to Protect Your School from Terror-
ist Attacks
A recent story in Education World re-
vealed that of chief concern to many
school principals and educators around
the world is the onset of war and height-
ened terrorist alerts. Many schools are
now creating terrorism preparedness
plans with school staff, community agen-
cies and security consultants.
“The vast majority of schools have not
taken into account in their crisis plan-
ning all of the issues related to terror-
ism,” said Kenneth A. Trump, president
of National School Safety and Security
Services, a consulting firm. “Some is-
sues, such as handling bombs and bomb
threats, creating emergency communica-
tions plans, and preparing for gunfire on
campus should already have been in the
plans.”
Safety In Schools
18
CHAPTER 6

Schools should also create strategies to
prevent access to sensitive data on
school computers and make plans for
safe relocation of students with advice
from local fire, police, and emergency
management officials.
The National School Safety and Security
Services notes that the key to success-
fully preparing school communities with-
out creating panic is for school and pub-
lic safety officials to be candid about the
possibility that schools can be impacted
by terrorism.
Be Proactive and Develop a Risk
Mitigation Plan
Saftety.com advises 5 tips that schools
should do to prepare for emergencies in-
cluding:
1 Defining the perimeter with fences
2Using security technology for monitor-
ing purposes
3Reducing entry points to one door
where staff can see visitors and question
strangers
4Locking windows at the end of the day
5Preventing access to the heating, venti-
lation, and air conditioning systems,
boiler rooms, utility controls, and chemi-
cal and cleaning product storage areas
Important questions to consider
when preparing for a school
evacuation:
1 - If something were to happen, what is
the school instructed to do?
2 - Will the school release students? Do
parents need to pick their children up?
3 - Does the school have updated emer-
gency phone numbers for everyone in
the family?
4 - Are students, teachers, and school
property covered by the school’s insur-
ance policy?
Schools and higher learning universities
around the world need to do their part in
protecting those who attend and prepare
for the worst. The students are under
their care and should feel safe while in
classes.
The first thing that any school or univer-
sity should do is build out a plan for their
school that safeguards their staff and stu-
dents from tragedies and evacuations
stemming from political violence, bomb-
ings, kidnappings, bus accidents, etc.
This can best be done with different
types of coverage and insurance solu-
tions.
19

A few basic guidelines can help ensure
that you develop an efficient and effec-
tive preparedness plan. Begin by care-
fully selecting the team responsible for
the creation, execution, and refinement
of the plan. The team should be cross-
functional, and represent multiple levels
of responsibility within your organiza-
tion — including senior management.
The team’s task is to:
Examine potential areas of vulnerability
within your company, and its current
state of preparedness.
The specific industry, size and scope of
your individual company will determine
your organization’s risk assessment
needs.
Safety At Work
20
CHAPTER 7

Assess and address the operational re-
quirements for your company to main-
tain business continuity during a period
of adversity.
That means examining everything from
potential supply chain vulnerabilities to
creating redundant payroll, manufactur-
ing, IT, customer service and other core
functions at additional locations. It also
means securing vital information off-
site.
Define emergency response protocols to
keep employees, contractors, and others
safe.
Identify the most efficient and effective
methods for communicating with leader-
ship, employees, and critically important
external parties — ranging from custom-
ers to first responders.
Educate your employees through ongo-
ing communication about preparedness.
Ensure that a crisis communication plan
has been put in place that enumerates
how communication with employees and
other constituencies will be maintained
in the wake of an emergency.
Determine whether your company would
be well served to have additional insur-
ance.
Make sure you learn about the costs, cov-
erage, and potential limitations of such
insurance.
An essential part of planning is practice.
That means drills for your employees on
how to execute the key points within the
plan. While going through this exercise,
it is important to remember that there is
a balancing point between preparedness
and provoking unnecessary anxiety.
Small deliveries by courier and mail han-
dling
Most businesses will receive a large
amount of mail and other deliveries
which offers a potentially attractive route
into premises for terrorists. A properly
conducted risk assessment should give
you a good idea of the likely threat to
your organisation and indicate precau-
tions you need to take.
Delivered items which includes letters,
parcels, packages, and anything deliv-
ered by post or courier, have been a com-
monly used tactic by criminals and terror-
ists. Delivered items may be explosive,
incendiary, contain sharps, blades or
chemical, biological or radiological
(CBR) material. The phrase ‘white pow-
ders’ is often used in the context of mail
and encompasses CBR material as well
21

as benign materials. Be aware that such
materials may not be white and may not
be powders.
Anyone receiving a suspicious delivery is
unlikely to know which type it is, so pro-
cedures should cater for every eventual-
ity. Threat items come in a variety of
shapes and sizes; a well-made device will
look innocuous, but there may be tell-
tale signs.
Indicators for suspicious deliveries/mail
General indicators that a delivered item
may be of concern include:
• unexpected item, especially if hand de-
livered
• a padded envelope (Jiffy Bag) or other
bulky package
• additional inner envelope or other con-
tents that may be difficult to remove
• labelling or excessive sealing that en-
courages opening at a particular end or
in a particular way
• oddly shaped or lopsided
• envelope flap stuck down completely
(normally gummed envelope flaps leave
slight gaps at edges)
• marked ‘To be opened only by…’ ‘Per-
sonal’ or ‘Confidential’
• item addressed to the organisation or a
title (rather than a specific individual)
• unexpected or unusual origin (post-
mark and/or return address)
• no return address or return address
that cannot be verified
• poorly or inaccurately addressed ad-
dress printed unevenly or unusually
• unfamiliar writing or unusual style
• unusual postmark or no postmark
• more stamps than needed for size or
weight of package
• greasy or oily stains emanating from
the package
• odours emanating from the package
Explosive or incendiary indicators
A delivered item may have received some
rough handling in the post and so is un-
likely to detonate through being moved.
Any attempt at opening it, may set it off
or release the contents. Additional explo-
sive or incendiary indicators include:
• unusually heavy or uneven weight dis-
tribution
• small hole(s) in the envelope or wrap-
ping
CBR indicators
22

Additional CBR indicators include:
• powders, liquids emanating from the
package
• wrapping stained by liquid leakage
• unexpected items or materials found in
the package on opening or x-raying
(loose or in a container) such as pow-
dered, crystalline or granular solids; liq-
uids; sticky substances or residues
• unexpected odours observed on open-
ing
• sudden onset of illness or irritation of
skin, eyes and nose
What you can do
Though the precise nature of the inci-
dent may not be immediately apparent
the first step will be recognition that an
incident has occurred, such as through
the indicators described above. The re-
sponse procedure will follow including
communication with the emergency serv-
ices, who will provide the appropriate re-
sponse. Ensuring that the appropriate
staff are familiar with your response pro-
cedure is key to its successful implemen-
tation.
Some points to consider when planning
your response procedure include:
• ensure that forethought is put into com-
munication with both staff and the emer-
gency services
• check that doors can be closed quickly
if required
• pre-plan your evacuation routes, ensur-
ing they do not lead building occupants
through affected areas. Consider how
you will communicate the evacuation
routes to occupants during an incident.
The level of evacuation may vary depend-
ing on the nature of an incident and may
not require the evacuation of your entire
building or site
• consult with your Building Services
Manager on the feasibility of emergency
shutdown or isolation of heating, ventila-
tion and air conditioning (HVAC) sys-
tems (including local extraction systems
in areas like kitchens) and ensure that
any such plans are well rehearsed. Due
to the complexity of HVAC systems and
the variability across buildings and sites,
it is not possible to provide generic ad-
vice on the alteration or otherwise of
HVAC systems in response to an inci-
dent - consultation with your organisa-
tion’s building services manager and/or
specialist HVAC engineers is essential
You don’t need to make any special ar-
rangements for medical care beyond nor-
23

mal first aid provision, as emergency
services will take responsibility for casu-
alty treatment. However the provision of
materials to undertake improvised decon-
tamination, such as absorbent materials
and water, in a suitable location, such as
where you would likely evacuate contami-
nated staff to, may be appropriate.
Planning your mail handling and screen-
ing procedures
A risk assessment is fundamental to en-
suring that any measures or procedures
your organisation implements are pro-
portional to the risk it faces. You should
also consider your response should there
be any changes to your organisation’s
risk assessment or mail streams.
There are a number of physical protec-
tive measures, including blast protec-
tion, dedicated HVAC systems, specialist
filtration, washing and shower facilities,
that can be used to protect your organisa-
tion and those undertaking mail screen-
ing. These should be proportionate to
the level of screening needed, but you
should consider the highest anticipated
level of screening that may be required,
as physical protective measures may be
challenging to alter in response to any
change in threat.
Although not all suspicious items will be
hazardous or malicious, you may not be
able to determine this without support
from the emergency services. Therefore
communication with the emergency serv-
ices is important in triggering the appro-
priate response, as highlighted above.
Your local police [Counter Terrorism Se-
curity Advisor CTSA can assist with this
process by providing information to sup-
port threat and impact assessments, as
well as relevant mitigation measures.
When planning you should consider the
following measures:
• processing all incoming mail and deliv-
eries at one point only so deliveries can
be handled without taking them through
other parts of the building. This should
ideally be off-site, in a separate building,
or at least in an area that can be easily
isolated
• ensure mail handling areas can be
promptly evacuated. Rehearse evacua-
tion procedures and routes as well as
communication mechanisms which
would be used throughout the incident
• Make sure that all staff who handle
mail, including reception staff, know
how to recognise a suspicious item and
respond appropriately
24

• If staff encounter a package containing
a suspected contaminant they should un-
derstand the importance of not touching
or moving the package and to isolate
themselves in safe location to limit the
spreading of any contamination
• staff need to be aware of the usual pat-
tern of deliveries and be briefed on un-
usual deliveries
• ensure all sources of incoming mail,
such as Royal Mail, couriers and hand de-
livery, are included within your overall
screening process. Note that not all mail
streams, such as internal mail, may re-
quire the same level of screening if it is
deemed lower risk
• encourage regular correspondents to
put their return address on each item
• currently there are no CBR detectors ca-
pable of reliably identifying all hazards.
While x-ray mail scanners may detect de-
vices for spreading CBR materials, such
as explosive devices, they will not detect
the materials themselves. For further ad-
vice on CBR detection, contact your lo-
cal CTSA
Actions upon discovery of any suspicious
delivered item:
You could discover a suspicious item in a
mail room, or anywhere else in the build-
ing - ensure you have appropriate emer-
gency response plans in place.
Avoid unnecessary handling and x-
raying:
• if you are holding the item, put it down
on a cleared flat surface
• keep it separate so it is easily identifi-
able
• do not move it, even to x-ray it
• if it is in an x-ray facility, leave it there
Move away immediately
• clear immediate area and each adjacent
room, including rooms above and below
• if there is any suggestion of chemical,
biological or radiological materials,
move those directly affected to a safe lo-
cation close to the incident - keep these
individuals separate from those not in-
volved
• prevent others approaching or access-
ing the cleared areas
• Do not use mobile phones or two-way
radios in the cleared area or within fif-
teen metres of the suspect package.
• Communicate regularly with staff, visi-
tors and the public
Notify police
25

• if the item has been opened, or partially
opened prior to being deemed suspi-
cious, it is vital that this is communi-
cated to the police
• ensure informants and witnesses re-
main available to brief the police, and
that the accuracy of their observations is
preserved: encourage witnesses immedi-
ately to record their observations in writ-
ing, and discourage them from discuss-
ing the incident or their observations
with others prior to the arrival of the po-
lice
If a CBR incident is suspected
• undertake improvised decontamination
of contaminated people as quickly as pos-
sible, ideally within the first 15 minutes
• Do not use lifts to move around, or
evacuate the building
• If the alteration of the HVAC system
features within your response plan, this
should be undertaken as quickly as possi-
ble
• If in doubt call 999 and ask for the po-
lice
• Clear the area immediately
• Do not attempt to open the letter or
package
• Avoid unnecessary handling
• Keep it separate so it is easily identifi-
able.
26

Following a risk assessment you can
evaluate if it is necessary to employ a
guard force as part of your security plan.
It is important that security staff under-
stand their roles and responsibilities and
are properly tasked, trained and partici-
pate in rehearsal exercises. It is desirable
that individuals working in the security
industry undergo a structured training
program that results in a recognised
qualification, in some sectors training is
a mandatory requirement.
Supervision of staff is fundamental in or-
der to be effective and deliver your in-
tended outcomes. Capability, capacity,
competence and reliability of staff are
particularly important in relation to
counter-terrorism. Within this guidance
we have identified some of the skills staff
require to remain alert, communicate ef-
fectively, patrol effectively, respond to
Personal Security Training
27
CHAPTER 8

suspicious items, bomb threats, hostile
reconnaissance and firearms and weap-
ons attacks for example. A strong secu-
rity culture within your organisation, be-
ginning at Senior Management level, will
assist your staff to not only disrupt terror-
ist attack planning but also prepare them
should an incident occur.
It is vital that security staff patrol re-
gimes for sites and events are also out-
wardly facing, look beyond the perimeter
before the event, during and post event.
The security patrol regime will comple-
ment the deterrence communication mes-
saging and search planning. Supervisors
are key to ensure levels of vigilance are
maintained throughout the life cycle of
any event. See CPNI Professionalising se-
curity.
Key principles of training, develop-
ing and maintaining an effective
workforce
The majority of personnel will not retain
all the information provided to them,
with many retaining as little as a 5% of
the information within the immediate 24
hour period. Therefore it is important
that training and briefings are regular,
clear and appropriate to reinforce key
messages and instructions. Skills and
knowledge in relation to security can
then be developed and maintained (this
need is supported by academic research
on information retention). For this pur-
pose a blended style of training is shown
to be more effective. Begin with a train-
ing needs analysis followed by individual
training, collective training and re-
hearsal exercises. Collective training will
make the whole greater than the sum of
the parts. Competent people and effec-
tive teams are the bedrock of a reliable
incident response and adapting flexibly
to the unexpected.
As an organisation you should have iden-
tified the people or department responsi-
ble for the development of your security
plan. All staff not just those responsible
for security should have a clear under-
standing how the elements of security
will better protect your business.
Training a workforce to deliver pro-
tective security
You should consider the following ele-
ments to deliver an effectively trained
workforce in relation to security:
• Training should be based upon the cur-
rent policy and standards
• Assess your training requirements
• Appropriately tailored security training
is provided to all staff as part of the or-
28

ganisation wide security responsibility
and culture
• Ensure you provide leadership, manage-
ment, mentoring and communication
training for supervisors to facilitate on
going staff development
• Staff turnover should be taken into ac-
count in detailed training plans, to en-
sure that new staff are trained and exist-
ing staff receive appropriate refresher
training
• Prepare a training plan for the follow-
ing 12 months, building in a time line for
refresher training
• Training activity should be flexibly de-
livered in various formats such as formal
classroom, online off shift on staffs per-
sonal IT, online during shift with sup-
port, face to face debriefs post incident
or through the organisations intranet
• Ensure staff are trained before you put
them through rehearsal and validation
exercises
• Include counter terrorism awareness
training on the induction programme,
for larger organisations, this may involve
the local Counter Terrorism Security Ad-
visor or Counter Terrorism Awareness
Advisor
• Provide briefings to all personnel on or-
ganisational security updates
• Training should be provided on a con-
tinuous basis to prepare staff
• Ensure security awareness is included
on your staff induction day. Set your in-
tention out from the commencement of
employment and create a strong security
culture and positive reporting culture in
the organisation
Depending upon their responsibilities an
effective security guard must be able to
demonstrate they can respond effectively
to a number of scenarios including:
• initial actions at a terrorist incident, see
ETHANE
• ensure you maintain your search and
patrol regime for the lifecycle of the
event including prior to the commence-
ment, during and post event
• the different terrorist threat levels,
building response levels and different ac-
tivities required should there be an in-
crease in threat
• hostile reconnaissance, how to patrol
effectively to disrupt activity, identify
and respond to suspicious behaviour
• suspect items, the ‘four Cs’ protocols
and the HOT principles
29

• chemical, biological and radiological in-
cidents, how to recognise and respond us-
ing STEPS 123
• a firearms and weapons attacks and the
Run, Hide, Tell principles
• evacuation, invacuation and lockdown
procedure demonstrating knowledge of
the emergency assembly points
• how to search a site effectively
• the basic principles of good housekeep-
ing and how it reduces the opportunities
for an attack
• how to respond appropriately to a
bomb threat
• how and when to report incidents ei-
ther to the internal security team, calling
police using 999, 101 or call the Anti-
Terrorist Hotline 0800 789 321. Staff
should understand the reason why they
use either 999 or Anti-Terrorist Hotline
• using emergency equipment such as de-
fibrillators etc. as trained
• use of incident logs and checklists that
facilitate an effective response to inci-
dents such as terrorist incidents, bomb
threats etc.
(Integrating the CPNI staff vigilance cam-
paign supplies organisations with materi-
als to facilitate internal policies and pro-
cedures)
Supervisors/Managers Training Advise
Supervisors training and role in quality
assurance and development of the work-
force
Security supervisors are key enablers to
ensure you have a motivated effective
guard force that perform to the required
standards and achieve the security aims
and objectives of the organisation. Effec-
tive leadership by individuals during re-
cent terrorist attacks has saved lives. The
following factors should be considered
when training your security supervisors.
Supervisors training
• Allocate time to allow supervisors to ac-
tively supervise and engage with their
staff.
By providing sufficient time to supervi-
sors they will develop a knowledge of
their team and their individual and col-
lective capability
• Provide supervisors with the right infor-
mation and materials to continually de-
velop and reinforce learned behaviours,
knowledge and skills of their allocated
staff
30

On-going reinforcement of competencies
is required for all staff to achieve and
maintain standards.
• The organisation should provide leader-
ship, management, mentoring and com-
munication training for supervisors
Leadership and management training
will facilitate the development of a di-
verse workforce and may improve reten-
tion rates and absentee levels
• Have a training programme for supervi-
sors to regularly attend counter terror-
ism awareness training such as Project
Griffin and Project Argus
By providing the on-going up skilling
and current counter terrorism informa-
tion to supervisors, they will be able to
support the skills and knowledge of their
staff
• Ensure supervisors have access to use-
ful information from the correct websites
Supervisors can share the latest informa-
tion and guidance with their staff as part
of briefing activity to keep them up to
date
• Security supervisor should quality as-
sure and develop the guard force
Supervisors are well placed to under-
stand the skill set of their staff and iden-
tify opportunities for development
Supervisors role to quality assure and de-
velop the workforce
• Ensure staff outline their roles and re-
sponsibilities from a counter terrorism
safety and security perspective
Clear definition of roles will support the
right person to take the lead role when
dealing with incidents and facilitate the
delivery of the incident management
plan. Where staff have attended re-
hearsal exercises their understanding of
their role and responsibility and confi-
dence to respond increases
• Ensure staff regularly use training mate-
rials, including online to improve their
knowledge and understanding
By using these materials during the in-
duction process, staff will have a better
understanding of the organisations secu-
rity plan and receive practical guidance
how to respond effectively to security is-
sues
• Supervisors should have a full under-
standing and record of the qualifications
their staff have obtained and should re-
view the competencies
31

By reviewing these competencies
achieved in the qualifications staff knowl-
edge is reinforced and retained
• Ensure your staff regularly receive of
counter terrorism awareness training
such as Project Griffin
We know personnel require a regular re-
minder of principles in order that they
will become confident and competent in
the identification, challenge and report-
ing of suspicious behaviour
• Following appropriate training ensure
rehearsal exercises prepare staff for the
identification and response to incident
such as suspicious behaviour, suspicious
items (IEDs, mail, chemical biological ra-
dioactive material) etc.
Integrating the CPNI staff vigilance cam-
paign supplies organisations with materi-
als to facilitate staff training
• Ensure training and rehearsal exercises
are regular
Regularly training and rehearsal exer-
cises you will prepare staff in identifying
and responding to critical incidents such
as a terrorist attack, communicate and
respond more effectively. Staff gain confi-
dence to become effective during an at-
tack and remain vigilant for a longer peri-
ods of time
• Provide first aid training to your staff
By providing first aid training, staff will
be responsive to the use of emergency
equipment e.g. defibrillators, and will be
first responders to any injured personnel
• Train and rehearse you staff in your
emergency plan with personnel which
supports an evacuation, invacuation and
lockdown procedure
By creating and sharing the emergency
plan staff should identify all assembly
points and procedures in the event of an
evacuation, understand where the pro-
tected spaces are located during an in-
vacuation, be familiar with their site to
marshal and support an evacuation, in-
vacuation and understand how to lock-
down a facility or event
• Are staff trusted to use their judgement
based upon the information they have?
It is essential that staff understand their
roles and responsibilities. Supervisors
who are part of the design of the security
plan will be best placed to respond dur-
ing the threat. Regular training and re-
hearsal exercising activity will support
the decision making process for all staff.
• Ensure the organisations’ security plan,
policies and changes in procedures are
shared by supervisors
32

Supervisors can mentor and coach staff
to reinforce positive behaviours within
the context of the organisation security
plan.
33

Drivers should always:
• Lock and secure their vehicle whenever
they leave the cab and, keep the keys
with them (including when unloading
and loading)
• If possible always refuel on site before
beginning a journey
• Plan routes before beginning a journey
• Avoid taking the same routes or stops
for breaks. These routines make vehicles
an easier target for those with criminal
intent or conducting hostile reconnais-
sance
• Comply with procedures to authorise
changes to a delivery destination
• Never pick up unauthorised
passengers/hitch hikers
Vehicle & Transport Security
34
CHAPTER 9

• Report any irregularity in loading, lock-
ing, sealing or documentation
• Check their vehicle is correctly loaded
• Protect documents such as shipping or-
ders and consignment notes. These can
be used by criminals to steal valuable
loads
• Avoid talking about loads or routes
with other drivers or customers (includ-
ing over radios and telephones)
• Report suspicious behaviour. In an
emergency call the police on 999. For a
non-emergency call 101
If you suspect it, report it to the Anti-
terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321
Secure Working Practices
Security culture must be part of every-
one’s daily working practice. Businesses
should restrict knowledge of loads and
routes to those who need to know. The
pre-loading of vehicles, should be kept to
a minimum. When pre-loading is neces-
sary, always keep the vehicle on secure
premises. If the driver keeps the keys to
their vehicle when they are not at work,
advise them to:
• Keep them secure at all times
• Never leave them where they can be
copied
• Ensure that the keys do not obviously
identify the vehicle
If vehicle keys are kept at the operating
centre:
• Identify keys control and security meas-
ures for vehicles and premises
• Keep them in a secure and locked loca-
tion, out of sight and reach of strangers
• Never use a hiding place such as a
wheel arch or a peg system that identi-
fies the vehicle
Be alert to any visual changes to your ve-
hicle. If you notice a suspicious object on
or near the vehicle, do not approach or
enter the vehicle. Contact the police and
give them the location and registration
number of your vehicle.
Overnight Parking
Make sure you know where your drivers
are parking overnight. Instruct drivers to
use pre-planned overnight parking facili-
ties, particularly those that are members
of the police Safer Parking Scheme.
The Highways Agency also provides
a Truck Stop Guide covering England.
35

Driver Contact
Keep in regular contact with drivers to
identify/confirm routes, stops and esti-
mated times of arrival.
Protest at premises or towards driv-
ers
It is possible that a company’s business
association with an organisation could
lead to individuals gathering and protest-
ing at your premises or premises to
which you make deliveries. Protesters
may assemble close to the boundary of
the work place or target staff and vehi-
cles.
If this happens:
• Stay calm, individuals may intimidate,
but this will not necessarily lead to a
physical threat
• Remain in your vehicle or in the prop-
erty. Close and lock doors and windows
and draw the curtains blinds to premises
and vehicles as appropriate
• Inform the police immediately calling
999 and await their arrival
• Inform your workplace/colleagues
• Do not, in any way, respond to, or an-
tagonize, those protesting. Avoid confron-
tation
• If someone attempts to confront you,
stay in your vehicle. Keep the engine run-
ning and if you need to (and it is safe to
do so), reverse to get away
• If possible, note descriptions of indi-
viduals and vehicles present
• If you have a CCTV system fitted that
has recorded images, you should hand
footage over to the police; it may assist
with identification or evidence, where of-
fences are committed
• Postpone any expected visitors to your
site
• Know exactly where the perimeter of
your site is should there be a demonstra-
tion
If you think you are being followed in
your vehicle:
• Try to stay calm
• Keep the vehicle moving, even if only
slowly
• Close all windows and ensure the cab is
secure
• Contact the police immediately calling
999
• If you can, make your way towards the
nearest open police station
36

• Record the registration number of any
suspicious vehicle
Vulnerable/Dangerous loads
Operators should alert drivers to vulner-
able loads or high-consequence danger-
ous goods and issue them with a vulner-
able load/high-consequence dangerous
goods card for these loads.
• If a vehicle is stopped by uniformed offi-
cers in a marked police vehicle or Driver
and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)
officers, drivers should display the card
and follow the instructions on the re-
verse of the card to verify the identity of
officers from the police and DVSA
• During security alerts, operators and
drivers should follow the advice given to
them by their local police force. (Keep up
to date using news media, the MI5 web-
site and relevant associations)
Secure Vehicles
Remember vehicles can be stolen, what-
ever their load might be, to be used for
criminal, including terrorist purposes.
• Use and maintain security equipment
as it will make your vehicles less attrac-
tive to thieves. Discuss options with your
insurers, including goods in transit insur-
ers, vehicle dealers and security equip-
ment manufacturers
• Each vehicle will need different levels
and types of security equipment, depend-
ing on its use
• Install vehicle immobilisation, if not al-
ready fitted by the manufacturer
• Consider the use of telematics equip-
ment which can remotely trigger an alert
if a vehicle deviates from its intended
route
Your local police crime prevention offi-
cer and insurer will give you specific secu-
rity advice. See Sold Secure for advice on
tested security products and approved in-
stallers.
37

Terror attacks on popular holiday desti-
nations are a rare but unfortunate real-
ity, and they can happen anywhere at
any time. As travellers there is always a
chance, no matter how low, that we may
get caught up in an incident anywhere
we happen to be in the world. These sim-
ple safety tips should be your guide to
keeping yourself safe if you are ever un-
fortunate enough to be caught up in a ter-
rorist attack.
Paris, Egypt, Turkey, Bali, the list of high
profile travel and holiday destinations is
a long one, unfortunately the long line of
Saftey When Traveling
38
CHAPTER 10

cowards hiding behind religion and
twisted ideology is seemingly never end-
ing. With recent high profile attacks on
Paris, Egypt and Turkey hitting the head-
lines all over the world it is very easy to
get caught up in the hysteria and allow
paranoid fear to dictate your thoughts
and actions. Don’t do that. It is impor-
tant to remember that despite the head-
lines, the chances of becoming a victim
are statistically extremely low, and also if
you are unfortunate enough to become a
victim or get caught up in events where
something terrible has happened, a clear
head, some preparation and knowledge
and a strong plan of action will be your
best form of defence.
Extremist activity should never affect
what we do.
Before you go.
Being prepared before you go is essen-
tial.
• Consider a gap year safety course or
consultation. Like any form of training
or schooling, these are all designed to
prepare you for any given situation, and
can make you much more aware of how
to spot potential danger, avoid it if possi-
ble, deescalate it if necessary and survive
it if all else fails. The Bemused Backpack-
er Travel Safety Consultation is one, and
can help walk you through all those po-
tential worst case scenarios and give you
the knowledge you need to survive.
• Do your research. Remember that
many government warnings are over-
blown at worst or generalised at best, but
they are still a good indication of
whether you should look deeper into
what the situation is on the ground or
not. If there are heavy or severe warn-
ings of terror attacks that stop short of
stating that ‘all essential travel should be
avoided’, then use your common sense.
Ask yourself when the last terrorist at-
tack was, is there heightened security in
that area due to a recent attack, what spe-
cific area is considered unsafe, is it the
whole country or just a very small, spe-
cific spot? All these questions will help
you risk assess if it is safe to travel to an
area.
• Leave copies of your itinerary and con-
tact details with friends or family. This
isn’t just for their peace of mind, al-
though it certainly does help with that
too, this is about giving you extra forms
of help if something does happen, and
ways for them to try and help if it does. If
you can’t contact the embassy or emer-
gency services and they hear of an attack
on the news, they may be able to do it for
you and give them your details.
39

• Gather all the essential information you
might need and keep a copy with
you.Telephone numbers and locations of
your country’s embassy, local police sta-
tions, hospitals and other emergency
services, back up emergency contact de-
tails for your friends and family and even
local transport or accommodation details
are all useful in an emergency.
• Know what to do before it
happens. Before you arrive in any new
place have a back up plan to evacuate
and get out in an emergency.
Preparing yourself thouroughly should
have the effect of reducing any unwar-
ranted fear or paranoia about any given
destination. Caution is good, fear is not.
Get the right travel insurance.
Getting the right travel insurance is abso-
lutely essential for any trip, but ensuring
that you get one that covers you for every
eventuality is very tricky. As unlikely and
as rare as it may be to become a
victim, terrorism is very real, and you
need to be covered for it. Terrorism and
acts of war are often excluded in the ma-
jority of basic policies, as this is an easy,
blanket way for insurers to get them-
selves out of paying if anything truly terri-
ble happens. This more often than not
means they will refuse to pay out on can-
celled flights or planned itinerary
changes if a terrorist act or conflict oc-
curs, but more pertinently they will also
refuse to cover medical or repatriation ex-
penses if something does happen.
There are insurers out there who cover
terrorist acts within their policies, you
just have to shop around and make sure
you read all of the small print before you
buy.
On the ground.
Odds are when you arrive in a new coun-
try and are travelling through it, things
will be fine and you will be absolutely
safe. There are however ways to decrease
the risk factor – no matter how small –
of anything bad happening to you.
• Be alert. This really should go without
saying. Make yourself become aware of
your surroundings, look out for any sus-
picious activity or objects, and listen to
your gut. If something doesn’t feel right,
leave.
• Make a plan. If you are with friends,
have at least one back up option of where
to fall back on and rendezvous if some-
thing does happen.
• Take notice of local news. I know when
you are travelling the world listening to
the news is often the last thing on your
40

mind, but the occasional glance at a head-
line and chatting to locals can give you
infinitely valuable insight.
• Avoid large gatherings and
demonstrations. I’m not talking about
large festivals or popular tourist spots
here, yes they may be targets but they
are also the reason many people travel to
any given destination. I’m talking about
rallies, political demonstrations, large
gatherings where tensions may be run-
ning high. Generally they are pretty easy
to avoid.
• Try and learn a little bit of the
language. Knowing a few basic phrases
in the local language is a good idea for
any trip at the best of times and will add
a whole new level to your travel experi-
ence, but you should also learn a few
phrases such as ‘help me’, or ‘I’m hurt’,
and a few essential words such as hospi-
tal or ambulance. These few basic things
could come in really useful in an emer-
gency.
When an attack happens in a location
near you or in the same country.
Often when attacks happen they are rela-
tively localised to one or two specific ar-
eas, and you may find yourself some-
where where an attack has happened but
in the next city over or on the other side
of the country. You may even be close to
the outskirts of the attack itself. The
point being terrorist attacks can happen
anywhere at any time. You may not be
in any immediate danger but the situa-
tion will still require action.
• Stay put. If you are already in a safe lo-
cation, stay there! Do not go out into the
street if at all possible.
• Don’t be an idiot. Some people for what-
ever inexplicable reason think it may be
a good idea to head to the location,
whether to take photos, start live stream-
ing what is happening or just watch out
of morbid curiosity, whatever the reason,
don’t be that person. Stay away.
• Get somewhere safe. If you are out in
public then head to the nearest safety
point as soon as is practical, your hotel, a
hotel, an embassy, anywhere practical
and close. This is particularly true if you
are on the outskirts of any attack.
• Listen to local news and pay attention
to local staff. Locals are often the best
source of up to date information and it is
often a good idea to listen to them. Hotel
staff in particular are useful as they will
specifically be looking out for their
guests.
41

• Contact family or friends if
possible. Letting people know you are
okay is important and can be a huge
source of relief. Social media is often ex-
cellent for this too.
• Contact your embassy. Give them your
details and let them know where you are
and that you are okay. It may help if
someone has contacted them looking for
you (if they couldn’t reach you). It also
never hurts to let them have that infor-
mation either.
• Listen to any temporary
restrictions. Quite often local police or
governments will place temporary restric-
tions, curfews or no go zones. Listen to
them and obey!
If you are in the middle of a terrorist at-
tack.
If you find yourself caught up in a bomb
blast, a shooting or any other type of ter-
rorist attack then it can be one of the
most terrifying experiences of your life,
but this is where knowing what to do can
really come in useful.
• Don’t be a hero, or an idiot. If an attack
happens and you aren’t immediately
hurt, then don’t hang around! Don’t try
and take pictures or stand and gawk or
you’ll get in the way of the emergency
services, and unless you are Chuck Nor-
ris, Steven Segal or an actual member of
the military or emergency services, then
don’t try and help either. You’ll get in the
way or even worse create extra work for
the real heroes who are actually trying to
help.
• Try to leave the area as quickly as
possible. This should go without saying,
but if you are able you should make your
way to the nearest safe haven immedi-
ately and then move further away when
safely possible.
• Obey all instructions. Local police, mili-
tary or other emergency services will of-
ten be on the ground pretty quickly. Lis-
ten to everything they say and do it with-
out question.
• Stay away from dangerous areas. You
are already in a danger zone, but if you
are uninjured and are trying to make
your way out of it try – as much as is
practical – to stay away from glass win-
dows or any other object where debris
and shrapnel can cause you injury if a
second blast goes off.
• If you are injured. Contact local emer-
gency services, be aware that local serv-
ices may be put under extreme pressure
in this type of emergency so you will go
42

through triage and be treated on the se-
verity of your injury.
• Remember the silent solution. Not
many people know about this but if you
need to ring the emergency services and
cannot speak for whatever reason, then
that doesn’t mean they will automatically
come out to you. The UK has a silent so-
lution protocol where if you ring 999 but
cannot speak to the operator, then you
dial 55 (or SS, hence the name) to help
them know this is not an accidental or
prank call, and that you need help but
can’t speak (if it will give your location
away to an attacker for example). Obvi-
ously this protocol is for the UK but the
principle is the same in any country,
when you contact the emergency services
just press a touchtone button to silently
convey you need help.
43

Bomb threat guidance
The vast majority of bomb threats are
hoaxes designed to cause alarm and dis-
ruption. As well as the rare instances of
valid bomb threats, terrorists may also
make hoax bomb threat calls to intimi-
date the public, businesses and communi-
ties, to draw attention to their cause and
to mislead police. While many bomb
threats involve a person-to-person
phone call, an increasing number are
sent electronically using email or social
media applications.
No matter how ridiculous or implausible
the threat may seem, all such communi-
cations are a crime and should be re-
ported to the police by dialling 999
It is important that potential recipients -
either victims or third-parties used to
pass the message - have plans that in-
Bomb Threats
44
CHAPTER 11

clude how the information is recorded,
acted upon and passed to police.
The bomb threat message
Bomb threats containing accurate and
precise information, and received well in
advance of an actual attack, are rare oc-
currences. Precise motives for hoaxing
are difficult to determine but may in-
clude revenge, extortion, a desire to im-
press, or a combination of these and
other less understandable motives. The
vast majority of cases are hoaxes and the
intent is social engineering, to cause dis-
ruption, fear and/or inconvenience the
victim.
Communication of the threat
A bomb threat can be communicated in a
number of different ways. The threat is
likely to be made in person over the tele-
phone; however, it may also be a re-
corded message, communicated in writ-
ten form, delivered face-to-face or, in-
creasingly, sent by email or social media
(e.g. Twitter or Instagram, etc.). A threat
may be communicated via a third-party,
i.e. a person or organisation unrelated to
the intended victim and identified only
to pass the message.
Immediate steps if you receive a bomb
threat communication
Any member of staff with a direct tele-
phone line, mobile phone, computer or
tablet etc., could conceivably receive a
bomb threat. Such staff should, there-
fore, understand the actions required of
them as the potential first response to a
threat message.
If you receive a telephone threat you
should:
• stay calm and listen carefully
• have immediate access to a checklist on
key information that should be recorded
(see bomb threat checklist - attached)
• if practical, keep the caller talking and
alert a colleague to dial 999
• if displayed on your phone, note the
number of the caller, otherwise, dial 1471
to obtain the number once the call has
ended
• if the threat is a recorded message
write down as much detail as possible
• If the threat is received via text mes-
sage do not reply to, forward or delete
the message. Note the number of the
sender and follow police advice
• know who to contact in your organisa-
tion upon receipt of the threat, e.g. build-
ing security/senior manager. They will
need to make an assessment of the threat
45

If the threat is delivered face-to-
face:
• try to remember as many distinguish-
ing characteristics of the threat-maker as
possible
If discovered in a written note, letter or
as graffiti:
• treat as police evidence and stop other
people touching the item
If the threat is received via email or so-
cial media application:
• do not reply to, forward or delete the
message
• note the sender’s email address or
username/user ID for social media appli-
cations
• preserve all web log files for your or-
ganisation to help the police investiga-
tion (as a guide, 7 days prior to the threat
message and 48 hours after)
REMEMBER Dial 999 and follow police
advice. Seek advice from the venue
security/operations manager as soon as
possible
Assessing the credibility of bomb
threats
Evaluating the credibility of a threat is a
critical task, particularly if the attack be-
ing threatened is imminent. This is a tac-
tic used to place additional pressure on
decision makers. Police will assess the
threat at the earliest opportunity. When
specific intelligence is known to police,
advice will be issued accordingly; how-
ever, in the absence of detailed informa-
tion, it will be necessary to consider a
number of factors:-
• is the threat part of a series? If so, what
has happened elsewhere or previously?
• can the location of the claimed bomb(s)
be known with precision? If so, is a
bomb visible at the location identified?
• considering the hoaxer’s desire to influ-
ence behaviour, is there any reason to be-
lieve their words?
• if the threat is imprecise, could an exter-
nal evacuation inadvertently move peo-
ple closer to the hazard?
• is a suspicious device visible?
Actions to consider
Responsibility for the initial decision
making remains with the management of
the location being threatened. Do not de-
lay your decision making process waiting
for the arrival of police. Police will assess
the credibility of the threat at the earliest
opportunity. All bomb threats should be
reported to the police and their subse-
46

quent advice followed accordingly. It is
essential that appropriate plans exist,
they should be event and location spe-
cific. Venue options to manage the risk
include:-
External evacuation
Leaving the venue will be appropriate
when directed by police and/or it is rea-
sonable to assume the threat is credible,
and when evacuation will move people
towards a safer location.
It is important to appoint people, famil-
iar with evacuation points and assembly
(rendezvous) points, to act as marshals
and assist with this procedure. At least
two assembly points should be identified
in opposing directions, and at least 500
metres from the suspicious item, inci-
dent or location. Where possible the as-
sembly point should not be a car park.
You may wish to seek specialist advice,
which can help to identify suitable assem-
bly points and alternative options as part
of your planning. It is essential that
evacuation plans exist; they should be
event and location specific. Evacuation
procedures should also put adequate
steps in place to ensure no one else en-
ters the area once an evacuation has
been initiated.
The police will establish cordons depend-
ing upon the size of an identified suspect
device. Always follow police directions
and avoid assembly close to a police cor-
don.
Internal or inwards evacuation (‘invacua-
tion’)
There are occasions when it is safer to re-
main inside. Staying in your venue and
moving people away from external
windows/walls is relevant when it is
known that a bomb is not within or im-
mediately adjacent to your building.
If the suspect device is outside your
venue, people may be exposed to greater
danger if the evacuation route inadver-
tently takes them past the device. A safer
alternative may be the use of internal pro-
tected spaces. This type of inwards
evacuation needs significant pre-
planning and may benefit from expert ad-
vice to help identify an internal safe area
within your building. These locations
should be in your plans.
If the location of the device threatened is
unknown, evacuation represents a credi-
ble and justifiable course of action.
47

Decision not to evacuate or in-
wardly evacuate
This will be reasonable and proportion-
ate if, after an evaluation by the relevant
manager(s), the threat is deemed implau-
sible (e.g. a deliberate hoax). In such cir-
cumstances police may provide addi-
tional advice and guidance relating to
other risk management options. It may
be considered desirable to ask staff famil-
iar with the venue to check their immedi-
ate surroundings to identify anything out
of place, see search considerations be-
low.
Checking your venue for suspi-
cious items - Search considerations
Regular searches of your establishment,
proportionate to the risks faced, will en-
hance a good security culture and reduce
the risk of a suspicious item being placed
or remaining unnoticed for long periods.
Additionally, if you receive a bomb
threat and depending upon how credible
it is, you may decide to conduct a ‘search’
for suspicious items. To that end:
• ensure plans are in place to carry out
an effective search in response to a bomb
threat
• identify who in your venue will coordi-
nate and take responsibility for conduct-
ing searches
• initiate a search by messaging over a
public address system (coded messages
avoid unnecessary disruption and
alarm), by text message, personal radio
or by telephone cascade
• divide your venue into areas of a man-
ageable size for 1 or 2 searchers. Ideally
staff should follow a search plan and
search in pairs to ensure nothing is
missed
• ensure those conducting searches are
familiar with their areas of responsibil-
ity. Those who regularly work in an area
are best placed to spot unusual or suspi-
cious items
• focus on areas that are open to the pub-
lic; enclosed areas (e.g. cloakrooms,
stairs, corridors, lifts etc.) evacuation
routes and assembly points, car parks,
other external areas such as goods or
loading bays
• develop appropriate techniques for
staff to be able to routinely search public
areas without alarming any visitors or
customers present
• under no circumstances should any sus-
picious item be touched or moved in any
48

way. Immediately start evacuation and
dial 999
• ensure all visitors know who to report a
suspicious item to and have the confi-
dence to report suspicious behaviour
Remember: it is vital that regular drills
are carried out to ensure all are familiar
with bomb threat procedures, routes and
rendezvous points. Disabled staff should
have personal evacuation plans and be
individually briefed on their evacuation
procedures. Similarly all visitors should
be briefed on evacuation procedures and
quickly identified and assisted in the
event of a threat.
Familiarising through testing and exercis-
ing will increase the likelihood of an ef-
fective response to an evacuation and aid
the decision making process when not to
evacuate/invacuate.
Vehicle Threat
Vehicle-borne improvised explosive de-
vices (VBIED)
VBIEDs can be highly destructive. Not
only can the bomb blast be lethal, but fly-
ing debris, such as glass, can present a
hazard.
VBIEDs can carry a large quantity of ex-
plosives to a target and cause a great
deal of damage. The device can be deliv-
ered at a time of the terrorist’s choosing,
with reasonable precision (depending on
defences). It can be detonated from a
safe distance using a timer or remote con-
trol, or can be detonated on the spot by a
suicide bomber.
The UK has a history of VBIED-based ter-
rorist attacks which used fertiliser-based
explosives dating back to the early 1970s.
In 1998 in Omagh a device containing ag-
ricultural fertiliser (ammonium nitrates)
was detonated, killing 29 people and in-
juring hundreds. In 1996 in Manchester,
a device made from a mixture containing
agricultural fertiliser devastated the city.
Find out more about how to store hazard-
ous materials safely and how to Secure
your fertiliser.
Planning - Vehicle access controls
Use robust physical barriers to keep all
but authorised vehicles at a safe dis-
tance. You should ensure you have effec-
tive controls, particularly at goods en-
trances and service yards:
• do not allow unchecked vehicles to
park in underground car parks or service
areas directly below public areas or
where there is a risk of structural col-
lapse
49

• demand that details be provided in ad-
vance for any contract vehicles and the
identity of the driver and passengers
coming to your goods or service areas
• deny access to any vehicle that arrives
without prior notice
Ask your local CTSA for advice on fur-
ther measures, such as electronic surveil-
lance (for example, automatic number
plate recognition software) or options for
protection from flying glass.
Physical security
Do what you can to make your premises
blast resistant - paying particular atten-
tion to windows. You could have the
structure checked by a qualified security
or structural engineer.
You will need to balance the installation
of physical barriers (for example, bol-
lards) against safety requirements.
Check your fire safety risk assessment
and the planning regulations.
Personnel security
Organise and rehearse bomb threat and
evacuation drills. In a VBIED incident,
windowless corridors or basements may
be safer than outside assembly points.
Train and rehearse staff in identifying
suspect vehicles, and in receiving and act-
ing upon bomb threats. Key information
and telephone numbers should be promi-
nently displayed and readily available.
Suicide attacks
Suicide bombing is a very effective
method of delivering an explosive device
to a specific location. Suicide bombers
may use a vehicle as a bomb or may
carry or conceal explosives on them-
selves. The most likely targets are sym-
bolic locations, key installations, VIPs or
crowded places.
Explosions using homemade explosive
devices have caused fatalities, injuries,
and damage on a massive scale. The sui-
cide bombers in the 2005 London at-
tacks used precursor chemicals (in par-
ticular peroxide-based explosives) and
killed 52 people and injured hundreds,
many severely.
Planning
When planning protective measures for
your site, you should consider:
• placing your vehicle access control
point at a distance from the site
• briefing staff to look out for anyone be-
having suspiciously or for suspicious-
looking vehicles
50

• ensuring that all visitors have their
identities checked
51

Events such as this will affect people in
different ways. Some people caught up in
the attack may be devastated in the im-
mediate aftermath.
Others may seem resilient at first but
find that a long time afterwards they are
still struggling to cope with what hap-
pened. Others may not have been there
but find that they can’t stop thinking
about it.
Psychiatrist Dr Brock Chisholm advised
that for a month after a traumatic event
it is normal to have difficulties, such as
insomnia and persistent thoughts – but
if it continues for longer, then counsel-
ling may be needed.
Dealing With Trauma
52
CHAPTER 12

Expected difficulties after a trau-
matic event
• Nightmares about the event or aspects,
such as emotional content that symbol-
ise the event.
• Memories of the event that are uncon-
trollable or make you feel as if you are
re-experiencing the event again. This can
be sights, sounds, smells or bodily sensa-
tions.
• Feeling on guard, as if something may
happen at any moment.
• Actively avoiding reminders because
they are emotionally painful or trigger
unwanted memories and flashbacks.
• Insomnia
• Drinking more alcohol or using drugs
• Irritability or anger
• A significantly altered and negative
view of yourself, the world or other peo-
ple. For example, not trusting people,
feeling high degrees of shame or that the
world is very unsafe.
If things don’t seem to be getting better
after a month or more, people could be
suffering from PTSD or depression
brought on from what happened.
‘Tragic events can affect people in a vari-
ety of psychological ways, even if they
were not at the scene, or if they did not
have friends or family there,’ Dr
Chisholm said.
‘All of these reactions are normal and ex-
pected during the first month, and may
last up to six months before things im-
prove on their own.’
He said that people often try not to think
about what happened and to avoid re-
minders, but said this prolongs the diffi-
culties.
‘The therapies that work the best rely on
actively thinking about what happened
in a specific way.
‘This helps to place the memories in the
past, rather than feeling like the event
are happening again or has just hap-
pened.’
He said the people most at risk of
trauma are those who have suffered or
are reminded of similar emotions in the
past.
What can be done to help immediately
after a traumatic event?
Dr Chisholm warned that the mind has
its own way of processing trauma in the
immediate aftermath.
53

‘It’s normally better to watch and wait
for a month or so before seeking profes-
sional help,’ he said.
‘Single one off sessions, sometimes
called debriefing, are not advised just af-
ter the trauma.
‘Taking sleeping pills or benzodiazepines
(anti-anxiety drugs such as Valium) just
after a traumatic event makes it more
likely that Post Traumatic Stress Disor-
der (PTSD) symptoms develop, as this in-
terrupts the brain’s ability to process
what happened in a normal way.’
‘Sometimes people think they don’t de-
serve happiness or are fearful and wish
to hide away. Helping people to go out
and engage in pleasurable and social ac-
tivities is also helpful.’
What if it’s your friend or family?
If you are a friend or family of the person
who has been traumatised by an event,
let them know that you are there to lis-
ten, without judgment and with compas-
sion.
A woman hugs a girl, wearing a t-shirt
from Ariana Grande’s Dangerous
Woman tour (Picture: Getty)
Don’t try to force people to talk, but
don’t advise them not to talk about it, or
to try to forget it either. Respect their
wishes but don’t collude in trying to
avoid thinking about the trauma. That
only makes things worse.
And if symptoms persist?
A person who has not spoken about what
happened after a month may still suffer-
ing from overwhelming emotions, pain-
ful memories, lack of sleep or night-
mares. Then encouraging them to seek
professional help is a good idea.
The youngest victim was eight years old
(Picture: Getty)
Be careful to select the correct therapist.
It should be someone experienced in as-
sessing and treating PTSD.
Many therapists claim to be able to treat
PTSD using little known treatments or
ones without much evidence that they
work, Dr Chisholm said.
‘There is no pill that will cure PTSD. The
recommended approach is to use a psy-
chological therapy such as Cognitive Be-
havioural Therapy (CBT) or EMDR (Eye
Movement Desensitisation and Reproc-
essing).’
How to get counselling
You can visit your GP to explain the diffi-
culties you are experiencing, who can re-
fer you to a specialist and make sure
54

you’re able to get help dealing with what
happened.
However, be aware that there are often
long waiting times for talking therapy.
A Manchester based charity has offered
free counselling for people caught up in
the attack at Manchester Arena. Talk, Lis-
ten, Change works with adults, children,
couples and families and said people
who have been affected should get in
touch on 0161 872 1100.
55

Special Mentions
lvi
I would like to take the time to thank everyone who has been involved in the making
of this Free Ebook and would like to dedicate it to all the victims of terror not just in
the UK but across the world, no matter what race, creed or religion you come from
loosing loved ones hurts just the same and when it is during hate attacks and terror
attacks, its such a waste of life, be kind to everyone you meet and stay prepared.
Thanks to the Contributors & Publication Team :
Creator - Craig Willetts
Expert - Andrew Irlam
Images - Sarah Gillespie
QA - Sarah Seddon
We would also like to credit the following sources for information included within
this Publication:

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