Security staff in Glasgow city centre in July were the latest to take part of Project Griffin, begun by City of London police, whereby guards are trained what to do in the event of a major incident.
For the first time in Scotland, community safety officers from Glasgow Central and West Division teamed up with businesses to deliver Project Griffin. The project was originally devised by the City of London Police for the capital’s financial sector.
In any city – Professional Security earlier this year reported on Project Griffin starting in Leeds, and Manchester – Project Griffin has three strands: training security guards; using guards in times of emergency; and establishing a Bridge Call facility.
On July 5, 40 security staff from a range of businesses will take part in the first training and awareness day. Issues covered include: current terrorist threat; bomb procedures (search/evacuation/suspect packages); powder packages; suspicious behaviour ; a table-top exercise; and the role of Project Griffin during the July 7 bombings in London.
On the day, security guards were shown how to react to bomb threats and suspect packages, and will be trained how to spot suspicious activity. The training can also be used in the event of a natural disaster or emergency, such as extreme flooding or a large-scale gas explosion.
At the end of the training, a practical exercise tested the participants’ new skills.
What they say
Chief Supt David Christie, divisional commander of City Centre and West Division, said: “This project has been in the pipeline for some time and has not been implemented as a result of any increase in the terrorist threat. It builds on the good work already carried out at our business continuity seminars, which are held throughout the year. The training and awareness day is designed to help organisations prepare for major incidents, including certain terrorist-related threats."
Presentations
The seminar included presentations from community safety officers, the Force’s counter terrorism security advisor, the police Support Unit and Supt Brett Lovegrove of the City of London Police Counter Terrorist Section. He discussed how Project Griffin was used to update businesses during the 7 July suicide bombings in London.
Community Safety Inspector David BaMaung has brought Project Griffin to Glasgow. He said: “Project Griffin is not only a powerful counter terrorist tool. It can also be used to deal with all types of major disruption to businesses, ranging from gas explosions to demonstrations and serious disorder.”
Bridge Call
One advantage of Project Griffin is the introduction of a Bridge Call facility. Bridge Call is an extended conference call service, giving members weekly updates on issues like terrorist threats, disorder, crime trends and forthcoming demonstrations. The updates will be co-ordinated by the Community Safety Department at Glasgow Central and West Division, in consultation with the Force counter terrorist security advisor, Operations Planning, the crime analyst section and the Roads Policing Department.
Public and private sector
Susan Nicol, general manager of the St Enoch Centre and regional director for The Mills, added: “The security of both our customers and our staff is of paramount importance and it’s essential that we do everything we can to raise awareness of any potential safety threats. Project Griffin is an excellent initiative which will see the public and private sector working together closely to deliver real benefit to business. Its effectiveness has already been demonstrated in London and we look forward to working alongside the Project Griffin team and our colleagues in the business sector as the initiative is rolled out in Scotland.”
