What can we do to protect against terrorism? asks Stewart Brown, Senior Security Consultant at the investigation and consultancy firm Surelock International.
We all know that the world is a dangerous place from various counties fighting each other in conventional style (Russia/Ukraine) to dropping bombs, of whatever size on cities (Israel/Iran), then we have terrorists of every description (religious, political, ideological) to the fanatical person (lone wolf activist) or group/collective trying to demonstrate whatever beliefs in a cause by causing terror on others.
Academics and international law have no agreed definition of Terrorism, for some, terrorism describes “a particular type of violent activity” and for some Governments and International Organisations describe terrorism as “politically motivated violence that intentionally targets civilians and non-combatants”.
UK stance
Police and HM Government intelligence services have the main priority of keeping the public safe and to that extreme are seen as doing an effective job through their current resources but we (the public) still need to be aware of the likelihood and threat that terrorist/activists activity can still take place at anytime anywhere. It is estimated that about 20 per cent of policing activity is now concentrated on Counter Terrorism Policing through the HM Government strategy known as CONTEST and its four key pillars being: Prevent, Pursue, Protect and Prepare. To summarise these pillars as follows:
- Pursue:
This involves disrupting and investigating terrorist attacks.
- Prevent:
This aims to stop individuals from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.
- Protect:
This focuses on strengthening security measures to make the UK less vulnerable to attacks.
- Prepare:
This involves minimising the impact of terrorist attacks should they occur.
Terrorist activity
Police and the Intelligence Services have (are) very successful in dealing with UK and worldwide terrorism but unfortunately cannot stop every incident or action by terrorists. In 2017 the UK faced the worst year in activity that involved the following tragic terrorist events:
- 22 March 2017: 2017 Westminster attack – Khalid Masood, a 52-year-old Islamist, drove a car into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge, killing three and injuring almost fifty, one of whom died two weeks later. He ran into the grounds of the Palace of Westminster and fatally stabbed police officer Keith Palmer, before being shot dead by police. The attack was treated as an act of terrorism motivated by Islamic extremism.
- 22 May 2017: Manchester Arena bombing – An Islamist suicide bomber, 22-year-old Salman Abedi, blew himself up at Manchester Arena as people were leaving an Ariana Grande concert, killing 22 and injuring 1,017. It became the deadliest terrorist attack in Britain since the 7/7 London bombings in 2005. Many of the victims were children or teenagers, the youngest being an eight-year-old girl.
- 3 June 2017: 2017 London Bridge attack – Three Islamists drove a van into pedestrians on London Bridge before stabbing people in and around pubs in nearby Borough Market, pictured. Eight people were killed and at least 48 wounded. The attackers were shot dead by police eight minutes after the incident was reported. All three were wearing fake suicide bomb vests.
- 19 June 2017: Finsbury Park attack – Darren Osborne, a 47 year old British man, drove a van into Muslim worshippers near Finsbury Park Mosque, London. A man who had earlier collapsed and was receiving first aid died at the scene. The incident was investigated by counter-terrorism police as a terrorist attack. On 23 June, Osborne was charged with terrorism-related murder and attempted murder. In February 2018 at Woolwich Crown Court, he was found guilty on both counts and was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 43 years.
- 15 September 2017: Parsons Green bombing – The London tube train was targeted and witnesses reported a flash and bang. Thirty people were injured, mostly with flash burns and crush injuries, but there were no fatalities. The threat level was raised to its highest point of critical soon after. Ahmed Hassan, who committed the bombing, received a life sentence with a minimum term of 34 years.
Things to do
These incidents identify the variation of attacks on people and clearly highlight the problems we as a public face. Although lessons on each of these have been learnt we (the public) need to be vigilant and best advice now is the ProtectUK advice on the population as RUN, HIDE, TELL if involved or nearby any form of terrorist or life-threatening activity. Of course, Police will and have the capabilities of responding urgently & immediately once informed of any type of incident.
Awareness
We all need to be aware and assist in trying to keep everyone safe. A vast amount of awareness training to security and the general public is ongoing which is hopefully reducing the preparation activity of terrorists and new legislation (Martyn’s Law) and others are to improve the situation for the future safety of all in the UK. (See also Stewart’s article about planning now for Martyn’s Law, ahead of a likely implementation in 2027.)
Experience
Surelock’s Senior Security Consultant, Stewart Brown, www.surelock.org/about-us has over 30 years’ experience, Home Office trained with a wealth of knowledge in Crime Prevention and Anti-terrorism whilst serving in the Metropolitan Police.
A long standing and respected member of the Association of Security Consultants (ASC). Has worked for the UK Government on security / terrorism assessments all over the world. Was on the British Standards Institute (BSI) Security Services Committee for over 12 years and personally wrote/reviewed the Security Consultancy and Private Investigations, Codes of Practice standards that are now used regularly in the United Kingdom, as well as being involved in reviewing, updating and publishing most of the UK Security Codes of Practice and UK Security Standards in this industry.
About the firm
Surelock International Limited can provide bespoke awareness training to groups, businesses, companies, organisations and individuals and security advice on this very serious subject to assist. Visit https://www.surelock.org/services/security-surveys-assessments.
