National Threat Level
The National Threat Level indicates that likelihood of a terrorist attack in the UK, the threat to the UK from terrorism is currently at substantial meaning an attack is likely.
The Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire Counter Terrorism Security Advisors have issued the following general advice about open spaces, crowded places and events. The purpose of this information is to provide guidance and reassurance.
Are you prepared as COVID restrictions ease?
As coronavirus restrictions ease and people are able to enjoy indoor hospitality and attend larger events, now is the time to assess whether your staff and customers are primed to remain vigilant and ACT if they see or hear something that doesn’t feel quite right.
Similar to tackling coronavirus, defeating terrorism requires a collective community effort where police, security staff, venue stewards and the public come together to help keep everyone safe.
Key messages:
- If you are running festive events, please review your security measures. You should have good, visible, pro-active security and for larger events, you might want to consider, if deemed appropriate, using things such as raised flower beds/concrete planters or street furniture to reduce the risk of a hostile vehicle entering the area.
- If the national security threat level suddenly rises to CRITICAL, this means that an attack is expected imminently. Event organisers and people in charge of crowded spaces should immediately review their own security arrangements and ensure that things like access passes and badges are double checked and that private car parks are checked several times a day for unauthorised vehicles. In short, making sure that your security arrangements are actually in place rather than relying upon someone else to do it.
- Be vigilant for anyone or anything that looks out of place or suspicious and encourage staff to report it to a member of staff, security or police.
- The ACT Awareness eLearning tool, developed to provide nationally accredited counter terrorism guidance to help industry better understand and mitigate against current terrorist methodology, is available via the NaCTSO website and has already been adopted by 2,000 businesses nationwide.
60 second security check
The Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire Counter Terrorism Security Advisors encourage you to undertake this Sixty-Second-Security-Check:
- Who is appointed to make decisions on the ‘shop floor’, and do they know what they’re doing?
- How do you enter and exit the premises in emergency?
- How do you lock down/secure the premises quickly?
- Where can you hide?
- How do you communicate and how do you stay updated if you find yourself in an attack scenario?
- Have you briefed your staff?
Protective security guidance
The links below provide useful guidance and information on protective security:
- ProtectUK: a new central hub for counter terrorism and security advice. Whether you’re a business owner, work in security, or are a member of the public, register with ProtectUK to become part of the community and receive the latest news and online courses that will enable you to be better protected.
- Run Hide Tell: advice for the public on the steps you can take to keep yourself safe in the rare event of a firearms or weapons attack
- First Aid during a terrorist incident: an online first aid package for treatment of casualties during a terrorist incident
- Advice for security managers during a heightened threat level: guidance on increasing the protection of crowded places from a terrorist attack
- Good housekeeping checklist: Good housekeeping is important as it can improve the safety of your premises.
- Bomb Threats Guidance: checklist for action to be taken on receipt of a bomb threat
- Marauding Terrorist Attacks: guidance on Marauding terrorist attacks and making your organisation ready
- ACT!- Action Counters Terrorism: government campaign which focusses on the critical role that the public can play in defeating terrorism
- National Counter Terrorism Security Office: guidance on recognising the terrorist threat
- Centre for the Protection of the National Infrastructure: protective security materials and guidance available for use
Reporting suspected terrorism
We encourage the public to remain alert, but not alarmed. Look out for anything that seems out of place, unusual, or doesn't seem to fit in with day-to-day life.
In an emergency, or if you need urgent police assistance, you should always dial 999.
Suspicious activity can also be reported to the police by calling the Anti-Terrorist Hotline confidentially, on 0800 789 321, local policing on 101, or report online via ACT.
Further information is available on the Radicalisation and Extremism page.