UK terror threat raised to 'Critical'
Police doing what the public expects to keep people safe and urging people to stay alert
National Policing Lead for Counter-Terrorism, Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said:
“The investigation into the terrorist attack in Manchester is large scale, fast moving and making good progress. There has been an arrest and there are currently multiple searches and other activity taking place as I speak.
However at this stage it is still not possible to be certain if there was a wider group involved in the attack; 24 hours in we have a number of investigative leads that we are pursuing to manage the ongoing threat.
This concern has led to the independent Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre to raise the threat level to “critical” this evening. It means that their assessment is not only that an attack remains highly likely but a further attack may be imminent.
The public would expect the police to do everything possible to prevent further attacks and keep them safe. We are flexing our resources to increase police presence at key sites, such as transport and other crowded places and we are reviewing key events over the coming weeks.
As the Prime Minister has already said this evening I have asked for support from the military to be deployed alongside the police. This will free up armed officers from certain guarding duties to release our officers to support the wider response.
This is part of an agreed and well-rehearsed plan and military personnel will remain under the command and control of the police service.
At this time we are asking the public to remain calm but alert. If you see anything that causes you concern, then let us know immediately, if you have suspicions about someone’s behaviour call us.
Look out for anything that seems out of place, unusual or doesn’t seem to fit in with day-to-day life. It may be nothing but if you see or hear anything that could be terrorist related trust your instinct no matter how small then ACT and call 999.”
Updates and advice following the incident in Manchester Arena on 22 May 2017.
Following the recent attacks, it is important that businesses reassure their staff to ensure they are alert, but not alarmed. This is the right moment for businesses to review their security plans to ensure that the measures they should already have in place, are still current and have been tested to ensure staff are prepared and confident. For more information and advice on protecting your business or organisation from the terrorist threat visit the NACTSO website.
Protective Security Advice
ETHANE
Initial actions at a terrorist major incident
Personnel security, good guarding practice
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 commencement, during and post event
- the different terrorist threat levels, building response levels and different activities required should there be an increase 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
- chemical, biological and radiological incidents, how to recognise and respond using 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 housekeeping and how it reduces the opportunities for an attack
- how to respond appropriately to a bomb threat
- how and when to report incidents either 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 defibrillators etc. as trained
- use of incident logs and checklists that facilitate an effective response to incidents such as terrorist incidents, bomb threats etc.
Preparedness
Are your first aid kits and crisis incident kits (grab bags) checked regularly, complete and accessible?
Search Planning
Do you have plans to search your site to deal effectively with either bomb threats or for secreted threat items, and are your staff familiar with those plans?
Do you have a person and vehicle, search and screening policy and plan that you can implement should there be a threat increase?
Business as usual search and screen (looking for prohibited items) should, when done well, provide a very good capability to detect larger terrorist items concealed about the person
- ensure the search and screening regime in place at the venue is done well
- consider provisional search and screening on the approach or outside the venue, for example a visual check inside jackets and bags
- ensure you maintain your search and patrol regime for the lifecycle of the event including prior to the commencement, during and post event
- provide effective public address messaging of people as they approach, asking people to prepare for additional search and screening. This should reduce unacceptable delay
- prior notification (at point of sale or media) of these extra security measures and encouraging people to arrive early, will smooth peaks and allow safe and effective searching
Response
Have you reviewed your evacuation, invacuation and lockdown plans in response to terrorist attack?
Physical Security
Have you checked CCTV systems? Are they all working correctly? Are the date/time stamps accurate? https://www.cpni.gov.uk/cctv
Security Culture
Are all staff identifiable and wearing identification? Do you encourage staff to challenge anyone in their building not displaying ID? https://www.cpni.gov.uk/workplace-behaviours
Reporting suspicious transaction
If you are suspicious of a transaction or attempted transaction, or discover a theft or disappearance that cannot easily be explained, report it to the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789321 or email Chemical.Reporting@Met.Police.UK.
Home Office guidance on selling chemical products responsibly
Storage and sale explosive precursors
Blast
Remember to stay away from glass and out of line of sight for any devices. See the minimum cordon distances. Once the security services arrive cordons may be deployed, the following are minimum distances.
100 meters - Briefcase or Rucksack
200 meters - Suitcase, wheelie bin, small car
400 meters - Larger items, lorries and vans
News updates
NaCTSO will continue to update our advice as needed, in the meantime please continue to use our current advice. Please check back regularly to these pages for updated information or register for updates here.
You can follow @G M Police and @Terrorism Police for Twitter updates on the incident.
Useful information that may assist when deploying the tactical options:
- LATEST - CPNI guidance note on attack at Manchester Arena on 22nd May 2017.
- businesses to help inform preparation and response plans to terrorist incidents
- MI5
Find out more about the Action Counters Terrorism campaign.