Terrorism
This section deals with emergencies which arise from terrorism. The Home Office [External
website] holds primary responsibility for counter-terrorism within
the UK. The Security Service (MI5)
website [External website] has detailed information
on the current threats to national security and expert security advice for
businesses, organisations and anyone with responsibility for the safety of
others.
On this page:
The Level of Risk
The most significant terrorist threat to the UK and to UK interests
overseas comes from Al Qaida and associated networks. The threat to the UK
remains real and serious.
The UK Government continues to maintain a state of heightened readiness in
response to this threat. It remains the Government's policy to issue
warnings or advice if this ever became necessary to protect public safety
in the event of a specific and credible terrorist threat.
The UK Government's work on resilience aims to ensure that we can
respond to, and recover from, the consequences of any terrorist attack. In
many cases, these consequences will be the same as for hazards identified
below.
Examples
The table below shows some examples of the specific risks which are
assessed as part of the national risk assessment framework. The framework
applies locally, regionally, in the devolved administrations and at the UK
level. Details of the framework and risk assessment methodology can be
found in the risk section of
this site.
Risk Evaluation
|
Type of Risk
|
Risk Categories
|
Outcome Description for Planning Purposes
|
|
Threat
|
Conventional attack on an airport.
|
Up to 100 fatalities and the partial closure of a major airport (or
total closure of a small airport).
|
|
Threat
|
Conventional attack on main government buildings.
|
Up to 400 fatalities and partial and temporary closure of the
building.
|
Reports and Legislation
-
Government response to Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC)
annual report 2005-2006 The ISC examines the policy, expenditure
and administration of the security and intelligence agencies.
Practitioner Advice
-
Intelligence.gov.uk [External
website] with information about the national intelligence
machinery in the United Kingdom. Details on how the various intelligence
and security agencies work together are available alongside career
opportunities and links to individual websites.
Security Service (MI5)
-
Protecting Against
Terrorism [PDF, 42 pages, 879KB] This booklet has
been produced by the Security Service for those who are responsible for
the safety of others in businesses and in other organisations. It
supersedes Bombs - Protecting People and Property, and contains
protective security advice and information.
Home Office Security website
On the
Home Office Security
website:
[External website]
Businesses
Advice to businesses from the Centre for the Protection of National
Infrastructure (CPNI) [External website]:
Schools
Other links
-
secureyourfertiliser.gov.uk
[External website] - website from the National Counter
Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) providing specialist advice regarding
the security of explosives and pre-cursor chemicals (including
fertilisers), pathogens and toxins, radiological sources and other toxic
chemicals.
-
7th July
Assistance
[External website] for those affected by the
London Bombings, 7 July 2005, with information, sources of emotional help
and practical advice. There is a 24-hour phone line on 0845 054 7444 and
an assistance centre for face-to-face talks.
-
Disaster Action
[External
website] - offer support and information for the bereaved and
survivors of major disasters and other events.
Speeches and Campaigns
CBRN
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