Keeping Vigilant

Keeping Vigilant – Tips on Crisis Management

Our hearts and thoughts are with the victims and families affected by tragic events in recent times – we must stand together as a community against these horrific attacks.
With the current threat level for terrorism in the UK at Severe – an attack is highly likely – it’s important for us all to keep each other safe.
Keep an eye out for suspicious behaviour, vehicles or packages. If you have any fears or suspicions you can call the Police Anti-Terrorism Hotline on 0800 789 321.
The National Counter Terrorism Security Office has advice for the public with their “Run, Hide, Tell” guidance and “Stay Safe Film”) and further advice for Security Managers of crowded places.
Here are some tips to consider when you’re out and about, and if you find yourself caught up in the rare event of an attack:
  • If you like to go out to night clubs, pubs, gigs and other types of closed venues, create the habit of doing a quick assessment of where you are and what is the quickest way out as soon as you arrive. In any building and on transport, always make yourself aware of the emergency exits.
  • During an incident, look for the safest way out of the building or away from the vicinity if outdoors – and leave as quickly and calmly as possible. If items are falling from above – get under a sturdy table. Don’t use matches or lighters in case of gas leaks.
  • When there is fire following an incident, stay as low to the floor as you can and exit as quickly as possible. Cover your nose and mouth with a wet cloth. If a door is hot to the touch, don’t open it. Try to stay below the smoke at all times.
  • If there is an explosion outside your building, stay inside away from windows, lifts and outside doors, in case there is another bomb in the area. If you saw the explosion, or any suspicious behaviour, tell the police what you saw.
  • Don’t freeze. People who freeze in a mass incident make themselves easier targets. Freezing is an innate reaction for some people, but you can train your way through that. Training in self-defence, first aid, and disaster preparedness can help to offset the brain’s neurobiological response that leaves some people paralysed with fear.

Food for thought:

When you are out in public, try going for an hour without looking at your phone or blocking your hearing with loud music on your headphones to start with.
Instead, observe your surroundings. Who is near you and who is walking towards you? Does anything seem suspicious? If something were to happen, what would you do and where would you go. Do you know the quickest way to get out if needed? Imagine what you would do if you were out shopping with your family and someone started shooting. Where would you take cover? What would be your escape route? What if that was blocked?