By acquiring some knowledge, you can enhance your safety and safeguard yourself from a terrorist attack, in this blog we look at a few of the ways to stay safe while you are outside and how to report any suspicious activities that may be linked to terrorism.
In this blog we look at some of the resources available to assist us in our daily lives to help tackle terrorism.
What you can do
Communities must come together to combat terrorism. The assistance and backing of individuals, businesses, and communities throughout the UK are essential to staying vigilant and ensuring the safety and security of our living, working, and social environments.
If you notice anything unusual or suspicious, rely on your instincts and take action by reporting any potential terrorist activities confidentially through the ACT (Action Counters Terrorism) initiative. Every piece of information is valuable, so it is better to be cautious and report any sightings. Your cooperation can help law enforcement prevent terrorism and save lives.
Crowded places, events, public transportation, and iconic sites across the country are examples of potential targets for terrorists.
You are familiar with your workplace and its surroundings, making you well-placed to identify any anomalies. During this heightened state of alert, it is crucial to stay watchful, trust your instincts, and notify the authorities of any suspicious activities that may be linked to terrorism.
Be on the lookout for anything that appears out of the ordinary, such as:
Individuals in parked vehicles observing a building or structure
Vehicles moving slowly near public buildings, structures, or bridges, or parked in suspicious ways
People using recording devices, like camera phones, or seen taking notes or drawing security details
Suspicious individuals closely monitoring specific entry and exit points, stairwells, hallways, or fire escapes
Individuals lingering around premises for extended periods, observing staff, visitors, and deliveries without apparent cause
People asking detailed or unusual questions about buildings, business operations, facilities, security, or parking without a clear purpose
Anyone in restricted areas, plant rooms, etc. - inquire about their presence and actions, and immediately inform your security manager or dial 999.
Action Counters Terrorism (ACT)
Action Counters Terrorism aims to encourage the public to trust their instincts to report anything they see or hear which may be terrorist-related.
Cooperation between the public and the police is the best way of tackling terrorism.
You're familiar with your workplace and surrounding area, so you’re ideally placed to spot when something is amiss
Run, Hide Tell abroad
Over the past two years, the international presence of counter-terrorism policing has notably expanded, with a growing number of personnel now stationed overseas collaborating with local authorities to safeguard British citizens against the worldwide terrorism risk.
Senior counter-terrorism officials are urging British vacationers to remain vigilant while overseas and view this brief video that advises them on how to respond in the unlikely event of an attack.
Protect UK
ProtectUK, established in 2022, serves as a fresh centralized platform offering counter-terrorism and security guidance.
Whether you are a business proprietor, employed in security, or a civilian, joining ProtectUK will integrate you into the community and provide access to up-to-date information and web-based training to enhance your level of protection.
Find out more about Protect UK here
Martyns Law
The draft Bill known as Martyn's Law, officially named the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) draft Bill, was released during the King's Speech on 7 November as part of the Government's legislative agenda for the upcoming Parliamentary session.
In response to significant feedback during the pre-legislative scrutiny process regarding the Standard Tier requirements, the Government initiated a public consultation on a revised approach to the Standard Tier.
The Bill mandates specific venues to take appropriate measures based on their capacity to minimise the effects of a terrorist attack and reasonably lessen harm.
The responsibilities assigned to establishments will vary depending on their size, with venues and events accommodating 800 or more falling into the heightened tier. At the same time, those with a capacity of 100 to 799 will be classified under the standard tier.
Standard Tier
Standard Tier premises (with a capacity between 100-799) must take necessary measures to be prepared for and protected from terrorist attacks.
The Government is dedicated to considering the opinions of businesses and premises to ensure that the law remains relevant, reasonable, and feasible for smaller establishments.
Prior to presenting the Bill in Parliament, the Government initiated a consultation on the standard tier to ensure that the measures in the Bill strike the right balance between safeguarding the public and not imposing excessive burdens on smaller premises.
This action was prompted by concerns raised about the implications of the standard tier during the pre-legislative review of the draft Bill earlier this year.
The revised approach to the standard tier under consultation mandates that those overseeing Standard Tier premises must:
Notify the Regulator that they are, or have become, responsible for premises within scope of the Bill (and so subject to the relevant requirements).
This remains broadly in line with previous requirements.
Have in place procedural measures that could be expected to reduce, so far as reasonably practicable, the risk of physical harm to individuals at the premises in the event of an attack.
These relate only to the procedures to be followed by people working at the premises in the event of an attack occurring or being suspected as about to occur. As the procedural measures are about procedures for responding to an attack or suspected attack, it is not expected or required that physical alterations be undertaken or additional equipment purchased for Standard Tier premises.
In contrast to the published draft Bill, there is no requirement to complete a specified form (the ‘Standard Terrorism Evaluation’) for Standard Tier premises or ensure that people working at the premises are given any specific training.
However, as part of putting in place the procedural measures, workers will need to be sufficiently instructed or trained to carry them out effectively.
Enhanced Tier
Public premises and events in the Enhanced Tier must take measures to be ready for and safeguard against terrorist attacks.
This tier applies to public premises and events (with authorised access) hosting 800 or more individuals.
Those responsible for an enhanced duty premises or qualifying public event must:
Notify the Regulator of their premise or event;
Take ‘reasonably practicable’ measures that will reduce the risk of a terrorist attack occurring or physical harm being caused. The reasonably practicable test is utilised in other regulatory regimes e.g. Health and Safety, and will enable organisations to tailor their approach to the nature of the premises, and their activities and resources;
Keep and maintain a security document, aided by an assessment of the terrorism risk, which must also be provided to the Regulator; and
If the responsible person is a body corporate, they must appoint an individual as the Designated Senior Individual for the premise or event.
If Enhanced Tier premises and qualifying public events fail to meet these requirements, the Regulator can issue compliance notices.
Failure to comply may result in the Regulator imposing a maximum fixed penalty of either £18 million or 5% of global revenue, whichever is higher.
See check and notify SCAN
The objective of See, Check and Notify (SCaN) is to assist businesses and organizations in optimizing safety and security by leveraging their current resources. Your personnel represent your greatest asset in preventing and addressing various threats, such as criminal behaviour, illegal demonstrations, and terrorism.
SCaN training enables your employees to accurately recognize suspicious behaviour and understand how to respond when they come across it. Moreover, the competencies acquired by your staff will enhance the customer service they provide.
This training helps to prevent individuals or groups intending to harm your organization from obtaining the necessary information to strategize their activities.
In summary, then, the fight against terrorism is everyone's responsibility not just the police, ACT, SCAN and the Protect UK website and App's can help when it comes to reporting an incident we have seen or can see unfolding.
dont leave it for someone else to do, we all have a part to play.
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