The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Holidays:
Britons warned to be on alert for terror attacks. Page 13
Counter-terrorism authorities are calling on British holidaymakers to be on alert for attacks abroad as millions prepare to jet off on summer breaks.
Police and ministers are urging tourists to make sure they are aware of the key steps they can take to stay safe in the event of a terrorist emergency, before they depart.
A new four-minute film adapting the “run, hide, tell” safety message for a holiday setting will be released today as part of the drive. It depicts a firearms attack unfolding at a hotel and outlines the main advice.
Just over two years ago 30 Britons were among 38 victims killed when a gunman opened fire at a Tunisian resort.
Police emphasised there is no specific intelligence that UK holidaymakers will be targeted this summer, saying the film is part of a general campaign to raise public awareness.
Detective chief superintendent Scott Wilson, national co-ordinator for the protect and prepare strategy, said: “As we saw in Tunisia, any westerner is likely to be a target anywhere in the world.
“We’ve seen attacks in numerous countries so we are trying to say western tourists overseas should be aware of what they should and shouldn’t do if they are caught up in such an attack.”
The ‘run, hide, tell’ message was first introduced by UK police in December 2015 and was activated during the London Bridge atrocity last month.
The guidance says that people should run to a place of safety if there is a safe route, leaving belongings behind and insisting others go with them.
If there is nowhere to go, then they should hide by barricading themselves in and turn their phones to silent.
Then, only when it is safe, they should alert the authorities by calling the local emergency number. For EU countries it is 112.
Mr Wilson said: “The chances of being caught up in a terrorist incident are still low but sadly we have seen atrocities take place in the UK and abroad.
“So it is important everyone stays alert and knows what to do if the worst was to happen.
“We want people to think of this in the same way they do the safety film airlines show before take-off. They don’t expect anything bad to happen but it is a sensible safety precaution.”
The video can be viewed at youtu.be/f-VrwYJawxc
It’s a sad indicator of our times that holidaymakers must be issued with a terror warning. It is reality, however, and today a “run, hide, tell” video will be released, with a specific holiday setting safety message.
Terrorism is not in itself new, but an upsurge in attacks in the UK and Europe means that a new kind of vigilance is necessary.
Here’s hoping the holidays are happy and peaceful.