Special Terror Alert Bulletin

Barbaric Terror Attack in London Bridge Area – Seven Killed and Many Injured:

Seven people have been killed in what is rightly being described as a barbaric terror attack in the London Bridge area.

A van intentionally rammed into pedestrians on London Bridge at just before 10.00pm on Saturday 3 June. Three men then got out of the van and commenced a vicious stabbing spree, targeting people in nearby Borough Market. The attackers were shot dead by eight police officers who fired 50 bullets. Sadly, a member of the public was accidentally shot, and that person remains in hospital in a non-critical condition.

Some 48 members of the public were taken to five hospitals, including Guys and St. Thomas’s. Four police officers were injured, including a BTP officer, and an off duty Met officer who were both seriously injured whilst tackling the terrorists. Following the incident 12 people have been arrested during police raids in Barking, east London.

The Prime Minister has announced that the general election will go ahead on 8 June, although all major political parties suspended national campaigning, except UKIP. A Police casualty bureau has been set up for which the telephone numbers are as follows:

00 096 1233 and 020 7158 0197

Can we expect more attacks?

Here at Corps Relay, we expressed concern in our previous issue (No26) of the possibility of ‘copycat’ attacks by Islamic extremists who would have been perversely ‘inspired’ by the Manchester Arena suicide bombing on 22 May, as a result of which twenty-three adults and children, including the bomber, were killed and 119 were injured, 23 of them critically.

We also wonder whether the lowering of the Terror Threat level to Severe from Critical may have been premature, given that as a result of that change the Military armed presence was withdrawn from the streets…

Equally, there is no evidence to suggest that Islamic extremists have lost their desire to perpetrate further outrages, and so our message to all readers is to maintainheightened vigilance, especially on those sites and premises with high footfall, and which attract large numbers of members of the public.

Vigilance is not of course the exclusive domain of security personnel, and readers and customers are reminded to encourage all staff and contractors at their premises to be alert, and vigilant to any suspicious behaviour, or activity.

Please ask yourselves the following questions relating to the security of your own premises:

• Are you applying the ‘onion skin’ principle of layered security, and defensive space? Can you extend outwards the first checking points for visitors?
• Is it feasible for you to arrange for visitors, whether pedestrians or in vehicles to be checked initially at outer gates, rather than allow entry to internal Reception areas?
• Have you assessed whether Hostile Vehicle Mitigation measures are required?
• Can you deploy security personnel to perimeter areas which enable them to safely look out for vehicles being driven at excessive speed?
• Are reporting mechanisms fast enough to enable prompt activation of lockdowns in the event of a shooter getting on to your premises, or a speeding vehicle being detected?
• Who has operational control?
• Are your personnel trained to understand and identify hostile reconnaissance?
• What contingency plans exist to address situations where someone or something worrying or suspicious is discovered?
• Do you have updated evacuation and invacuation contingency plans?
• Are reporting procedures adequate in terms of escalation of concerns, and police support?

‘Top Tips’:

• Restrict both pedestrian and vehicular access to authorised persons and vehicles only
• Maintain a good flow of intelligence and information, including close liaison with  local Police and Counter-Terrorism advisors
• Have the right calibre of trained people in place, including well trained Security teams
• Carry out regular tests (including Penetration Tests) and drills of all security and safety systems
• Implement both internal and external security audits
• Ensure that Contingency and Emergency plans are in place and are easily accessible for all relevant personnel
• Always ensure that Security teams are alert to suspicious behaviour and activity in or around your subject premises or environment!

REMEMBER!

It is vital that Access Control and anti-tailgating measures are as robust as possible, and that unauthorised persons are not allowed to gain access to your premises!

REMEMBER!

That it is vital that everyone looks out for hostile reconnaissance, and that any suspicious activity is reported in real-time!

 

The current threat level from global terrorism is set at:   SEVERE meaning that a terrorist attack is still highly likely!

The threat level for Irish related terrorism is set separately for Northern Ireland and Great Britain: In Northern Ireland it is:   SEVERE and in Great Britain SUBSTANTIAL

NOTE: CRITICAL means that a terrorist attack is imminent SEVERE means that a terrorist attack is highly likely SUBSTANTIAL that an attack is a strong possibility MODERATE that an attack is possible but unlikely

Everyone should always remain alert to the danger of terrorism and report any suspicious activity to the Police on 999 or the anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321.

REPORT IT!

You may end up saving a life or lives… and there is nothing more rewarding than that…

The following telephone numbers may be useful:

Corps Security Central Support: 0141 847 2044

Specific advice on Counter-Terrorism matters:

0207 566 0516

 

Editor: Mike Bluestone

Associate Editor: Emma Brooksbank