A series of multi-media workshops is being held across the county to protect hotels in Surrey against the threat of terrorism. This will provide opportunities for local hotel managers to learn how to plan, prepare, prevent and recover from a possible terrorist attack.
The next one will be held at the Cobham Hilton, Seven Hills Road, Cobham on Thursday, January 27, from 10am to 1pm.
While there is no known specific terrorist threat to Surrey at the current time, terrorist attacks in the UK are a real and serious danger. Surrey’s close proximity to London and the ongoing national threat which remains unchanged at “Severe” (an attack is highly likely) means everyone has to play a part in keeping the county safe. An attack can come at any time at any place without any warning.
World wide hotels are seen as an attractive and soft target for terrorists with a number of high profile attacks in recent years. They are crowded places, often with little or no protective security measures. They will attract large numbers of people coming and going, often in comparatively confined areas, and thus present a preferred target for terrorists.
The people who gather in these places are often relaxed, on holiday or enjoying an evening out. With a high turnover of guests and visitors, keeping hotels safe presents a particular challenge.
Surrey Police is working with general/duty managers, chief engineers, restaurant managers, housekeeping managers and their deputies to help them minimise the risk of an attack which can come at any time. They will learn how best to keep their customers and premises safe when terrorists have the cover of other guests to conceal their movements.
Project ARGUS is the name given to the series of workshops being held across the county where local businesses are placed in the midst of a simulated terrorist attack as a multi-media experience. The twin aims of these meetings are to raise awareness and to help make us more resilient as a community.
The workshops are being organised by Surrey Police and the National Counter Terrorism Security Office with the support of partners. This workshop is hosted by the Cobham Hilton and will enable attendance from hotels across the county. Similar workshops run in major towns and cities across the country.
Bob Stephens, Head of Surrey Police’s Counter Terrorism Security Office, said: “The UK is recognised to be a target for terrorists. The question is not if but where and when, and the managers of businesses like hotels where many people gather must be prepared. This workshop has been specially designed to help hotel managers whose premises are subject to particular risks and it will help them be prepared.
“Project ARGUS is an excellent opportunity to judge how well prepared is your business, increase your knowledge of terrorist issues, compare notes with other local hoteliers, or just a chance for you and selected staff to experience a well-run security exercise.
“Everyone in Surrey, whether resident, visitor or employee, can help us maintain the freedoms which we value by being vigilant. Recognise suspicious behaviour and if anything appears unusual, odd or different, report it. Look for people behaving in a manner which is out of place for the time or location. Appearance is irrelevant, it is what is happening, what they are doing, that is important.
“Please don’t delay; if you have any doubts about someone’s actions or behaviour contact the police. Terrorism is such a serious threat your call could be the one that prevents a tragedy.”
Diana Roberts, Tourism and Marketing Development Manager, Guildford Tourist Information Centre, added: “We are extremely fortunate to be able to take advantage of this initiative by Surrey Police, and I urge all hotels in the area to send at least one representative to this event. However remote the subject seems to us in Surrey, it is better to be safe than sorry.”
Suspicious activity can be reported confidentially to the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321. Call Surrey Police on 999 if you have serious concerns about something currently taking place.
The Project ARGUS events are free to managers and decision makers to attend; workshops covering the day time retail sector, the night-time economy and building design professionals, have already been held at Woking, Guildford, Camberley, Redhill, Dorking, Spelthorne, Sunbury on Thames and Lingfield.
