Recognising Terrorist Threats & Creating Credible Counter Terrorism Plans

THE TERROR attack that occurred in Reading recently served as a tragic reminder that the UK continues to face a serious and challenging threat from terrorism. It still holds true that early recognition of the indicators of an attack can reduce casualties and save lives. On Sunday, the police service said that the stabbing episode at Forbury Gardens in Reading that left three people dead and a similar number injured was being treated as a terrorist incident, but that there was no intelligence on any further attacks. “This was an atrocity,” observed Neil Basu, Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service and head of Counter-Terrorism Policing. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was “appalled and sickened” by the attack and said Britain would change the law if necessary to prevent any future incidents. The Prime Minister stated: “If there are lessons we need to learn then we will learn those lessons and not hesitate to take action if needed.”

Terrorists can choose to carry out small-scale attacks, large-scale attacks or a combination to cause maximum disruption. However, all attacks have indicators, either that they are about to occur or have just started. It is essential security staff have improved awareness in key indicator recognition.

In collaboration with Action Counters Terrorism (ACT), the CPNI has published the 39-page Recognising Terrorist Threats guide which is aimed at every level of the security profession. This guide contains an overview of potential terrorist methodologies, key components of threat devices and other potential attack indicators. (Download the guide here)

Protect & Prepare Ltd has genuine, recent and credible experience in building Counter Terrorism and Emergency Crisis plans. Our unique Multi-Agency approach looks much wider in its approach to ensuring that the plans we create are deliverable, easy to understand, flexible & adaptable and above all will go some considerable way to protecting both physical infrastructure as well as people/staff. For more information visit www.protectandprepare.co.uk