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Security from £15.95+VAT an hour*
3 September 2022
There is a page on the Gov.uk website devoted to the subject of “Terrorism and National Emergencies.” It’s a useful page to bookmark because it defines the current threat level – i.e. the likelihood of a terrorist attack occurring in the UK – and it provides links to some useful sources of relevant information.
According to the site, the threat level at the time of writing (August 2022) is “substantial” – meaning that “an attack is likely.” The five-point scale runs from “low” to “critical” and the UK presently finds itself midway along that scale. That level of threat can change quite quicky, often in response to events overseas, so it’s a status that security staff – and the organisations employing them – should always aim to keep in mind.
Of course, even when the threat level is officially believed to be low, attacks can happen, so anyone with a responsibility for security should always include risk-mitigation plans. These might relate to anything from a one-off outdoor festival to routine precautions in a public building, hotel or office block. The principles remain the same: risks need to be identified and strategies put in place for minimising their possible impacts.
Responding to Suspicions of Terrorism
The MI5 website offers some simple advice to anyone who encounters suspicious activity. It states: “Members of the public should always remain alert to the danger of terrorism and report any suspicious activity to the police on 999 or the anti-terrorist hotline: 0800 789 321. If your information does not relate to an imminent threat, you can also contact MI5.”
Although this advice is aimed at the general public, it’s also an important element of any response by security staff. It’s essential to alert the emergency services as soon as possible if anything suspicious is noted. If there is a chance that firearms, explosives, biological agents or other weapons may be present, then the risks can escalate quickly. It’s better to be over-cautious than too complacent.
Suspicions will generally be context-dependent. They may simply be triggered by seeing one or more individuals behaving strangely or by discovering a package left unattended in a public space. Another obvious example might be groups of individuals who are dressed inappropriately for the weather, wearing unseasonably long and heavy clothes that could conceal weapons.
It’s impossible in an article such as this to list all the many possible signs that might trigger suspicion, not least because so much will depend on the setting. However, vigilance is always going to be important, as is knowing how to respond effectively in different scenarios. Good training is therefore essential.
Mitigating Risks
Good security practices can play an important role in minimising the risks of a terrorist attack in any given environment.
Some of the highest-risk settings include packed public spaces such as popular shopping streets, bridges, public transport hubs, sports stadia and so on – places where crowds and queues inevitably gather. Some of the most important local security measures may be dictated by town and city planners; teams that will make decisions about road layouts, traffic restrictions, police presence, CCTV coverage and any special safety measures such as gates, barriers and other vehicular obstructions. However, there is a role for private security staff, too, particularly when they are working at public events or in buildings that adjoin public spaces.
Except where they concern potential suicide bomb attacks, which are extremely rare in Europe, many of the security precautions that deter theft and vandalism will also tend to deter terrorist attacks. Important deterrents can include:
Vehicle-Related Risks
Vehicles can present a twofold security risk. Historically, terrorists have used them to contain explosives or simply as weapons in themselves, used to kill or injure pedestrians.
One of the most effective ways of minimising such threats is simply to prevent vehicular access at all. This is a realistic solution when, for example, the premises in question are set on an enclosed industrial or commercial estate, where access to the car park and other areas can be controlled via a security gate.
It may also be possible at outdoor events such as festivals, if perimeter fences can be set at a sufficient distance from wherever crowds may be expected to gather. Perimeter fencing can also be designed to take advantage of natural vehicular obstacles such as trees, benches, ditches, steep banks, street lights and so on. These are all common outdoor features than can limit opportunities for an attacker’s vehicle to get close enough to do widespread damage. In a similar vein, security staff can park their own vehicles in such a way to further reduce access and risks of vehicular attack.
For settings where road access is required, manufacturers now offer several very effective hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM) systems that can physically stop oncoming vehicles, even when they are moving at speed. Their effectiveness can be further enhanced if the access route is designed with bends, ramps and other restrictions that prevent a vehicle from gathering any speed.
However, where such isolation is impossible – which is probably true of the majority of public and commercial buildings – CCTV coverage of the surroundings roads can be invaluable.
Terrorists have been known to stage fake breakdowns or road accidents in order to create a pretext for leaving a vehicle close to an intended target. If left unchallenged, they can then abandon the vehicle and detonate explosives from a remote position. This is why continuous CCTV coverage is important; it gives security teams the opportunity to identify the risk immediately, and to conduct a check on the circumstances, including verifying the identity / authenticity of the vehicle and driver. If this gives rise to any suspicion, the security guard can then call the emergency services and, if appropriate, begin an evacuation of the building.
Thinking Beyond Terrorism
Attacks can happen at any time, of course, regardless of the official estimation of the public threat and they won’t necessarily take the form of what we might typically label as terrorism. The UK, the United States and several European countries have all experienced mass shootings and armed attacks by disturbed individuals. The fact that such atrocities weren’t planned and committed by organised terrorist groups did not make them any less of a concern.
Similarly, the poisoning in 2018 of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Salisbury was a targeted attack, widely believed to have been orchestrated by the Russian GRU. It was not the sort of attempted killing that would normally be considered ‘terrorism’ but for those living in the area, it had equally worrying consequences. Besides the harm inflicted on the Skripals themselves, other effects included heightened public alarm, secondary contamination risks, and the accidental poisoning of two British nationals in nearby Amesbury, when they discovered the perfume bottle in which the nerve agent had been hidden.
Such attacks represent a threat to life but they can also give rise to considerable anxiety in local communities, particularly in public spaces and amenities. Once they become public knowledge, they demand heightened vigilance by security staff and a clear understanding of what responses might be needed in different situations. These might include having clear evacuation plans, advising clients on risk mitigation, and knowing what advice to give concerned visitors and members of the public.
In short, terrorists and similar groups plan their attacks creatively, so security teams must think creatively, too. This includes assessing the setting and its existing security measures, and looking for any gaps in the defences that a malicious agent could exploit. It also includes being ready to offer practical advice to the client or building manager whenever a new risk becomes apparent.
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