Advice - Terrorist Activities

Think about terrorism

All terrorists plan and prepare for an attack. They need to live somewhere, have money and equipment. You can help by being observant and report any suspicions to the police.

Bomb explosion

You should familiarise yourself with any plans or procedures that your workplace has for dealing with bomb warnings.

Attacks generally occur in open and public places. You can help by being vigilant, looking out for suspicious behaviour, packages or vehicles. If you suspect something do not hesitate to tell the police

If a bomb goes off in a building that you are in, get out quickly and calmly by the safest route. Follow the advice of those in charge.

If you are involved in a bomb incident and trapped in debris:

• If possible shelter under a sturdy table or desk
• Make sure of your own safety before helping others
• Stay close to a wall. Tap on pipes so that rescuers can hear you.
• Do not use lighters or matches, in case there is a gas leak.
• Cover your mouth.

If a bomb goes off outside a building that you are in, stay inside away from windows, lifts and outer doors just in case there is another bomb in the area.

If you witnessed the explosion, stay in the area in a safe place and tell the police everything you saw.

Chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) incident

CBRN agents can be released either by accident or by a deliberate criminal act. They can range from household chemicals through to highly toxic warfare agents. If you are very near the site of a CBRN incident and think you may have been contaminated wait for the emergency services to arrive who will identify the hazard and tell you what to do. This may include decontamination or evacuation. For your own safety you should always listen to the advice of the Emergency Services and the Health Service professionals.

If you are asked to stay inside you home you should:

• Stay inside and close all doors and windows
• Follow the advice of the Emergency Services, this may be to close all ducts and vents.
• Close all internal doors to restrict the movement of air
• Have your emergency pack at hand
• Monitor your television or radio for more information

You may be required to enter a decontamination unit supplied by the Emergency Services. This will involve showering in a decontamination unit and dressing in temporary clothing which will be provided. It is important this takes place near to where the incident happens. This is so that other areas are not contaminated.

General advice on actions to be taken if you are directly involved in a CBRN incident include:

Move away from the immediate area of danger - but wait for the emergency services to arrive who will examine you and if necessary decontaminate you.
Do not go home untreated, you could contaminate others and make the incident worse.
If you are not directly affected, general advice to follow is:

• Move away quickly
• Go indoors and stay there, bringing pets inside.
• Close all doors and windows and block obvious vents (remember to unblock before switching equipment on again).
• Switch off air conditioning, ventilation units and fans.
• Tune into local radio and/or television and listen for local announcements.
• Do not try to collect children from school, they will be looked after.
• If there is a power cut, turn off all appliances. This is because when the power comes back on if all appliances turn on at the same time it may overload the system.