The Government Has Issued Updated Advice For Companies Running Sports Stadiums And Entertainment Arenas Following Recent High-profile Terrorist Attacks Around Europe.
The new Crowded Places guidance for the UK has been written by the National Counter Terrorism Security Office, a police unit, with the support of The Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure and more than one hundred experts.
It includes advice on everything from spotting suspicious activity and preventing unauthorised vehicles from entering arenas to the need to search spectators’ bags.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Lucy D’Orsi said: “Terrorist attacks are rare in the UK, but recent events have shown that an attack could happen anywhere and without warning. Those locations either public or private where large groups of people gather, for reasons such as entertainment, business, transportation, sporting or social occasions, have always been preferential targets for terrorists.
“Terrorism has evolved in recent times, with many conflicts overseas influencing terrorist acts in the UK. Social media in particular is being manipulated to incite, inspire and enable groups and individuals to target these crowded places.”
The Government is already urging sports fans to work with clubs to detect dangers, using the ‘run, hide, tell’ approach.
Spectators are urged to escape if they can do safely, taking others with them and leaving belongings behind, or hide if they cannot safely escape, remembering that if they can see the attacker, the attacker may be able to see them.
Fans are advised to find hiding places with protection from brickwork or metal, not glass which can be penetrated by bullets or bomb blasts, and silence their phone and turn off vibrate.
The Government says that, if possible to do so safely, fans should call 999 as soon as possible, giving clear information.
The Crowded Places guidance can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/crowded-places-guidance
Based in Greater Manchester, NGTC has a strong client base of well-known sporting organisations and colleges and delivers everything from pre-employment courses and apprenticeships, to specialist courses, such as Spectator Safety. You can find out more at http://www.ngtc.co.uk/