New security toolkit will help police keep themselves safe

OFFICERS and staff have been given new information on keeping themselves and their families safe as the terrorist threat remains at severe – meaning an attack is highly likely.

Police chiefs are backing the College of Policing’s campaign to raise awareness of the threat faced by the policing community, as well as inform staff and officers how to stay safe at home, at work and online.

The Vigilance Campaign went live on 22 June.

It is designed to increase awareness of what suspicious activity looks like, how to be vigilant against it and how to report it.

A toolkit has been created for police forces across the UK to use and can be accessed through the Police OnLine Knowledge Area (POLKA).

POLKA is a restricted online site that allows officers and police staff to share information, knowledge and best practice in a safe and secure environment.

The toolkit contains two personal security booklets; wallet reminder cards; a poster campaign; briefing materials and scripts for forces to embed awareness; as well as instructions on how to use these materials and other tips.

Dr Francis Pike, Counter Terrorism Policing Standards Manager at the College of Policing, said:
“Terrorists can attack at any time and in any place so we are taking action to ensure police staff and officers have access to the best information to keep them safe.

“We want to make common sense common practice. We know that vigilant staff are one of the most off-putting factors for anyone undertaking suspicious activity, such as hostile reconnaissance, where terrorists visit and research potential targets. It leads them to think that they are likely to be detected and intercepted.

“Although safety briefings have taken place in some forces, further work is needed to change behaviour and improve awareness of the threats we face.”

Officers had already been warned by chief officers not to wear their uniform while off duty and be cautious about revealing their profession to strangers.

The toolkit has been developed by the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI) and has been successfully trialled in both police and government locations.

It is easy to use, clear of jargon and suitable for all police employees.

The risks faced by police were underlined last year when terrorist suspect Abdul Numan Haider was shot dead in Melbourne, Australia, while stabbing an Australian officer.