Retail staff get training to avert shoppers’ panic in terror alerts
COUNTER-TERRORISM police have asked high-street shops to develop emergency contingency plans to prevent widespread panic during reports of terror attacks.
Staff working in busy stores in the run-up to Christmas will be issued with a “60-second” security checklist to improve reaction times and ensure evacuations can take place as smoothly as possible.
As well as having a clear understanding about who is in charge of emergency plans, all retail staff will be expected to know when it is appropriate to evacuate a store and when it is best to order a lockdown.
They will also familiarise themselves with the best places to hide in the shop in the event of a terrorist attack.
The plans are being implemented in a bid to avoid the sort of wide-scale panic that took place last November, after false reports of a terror attack in Oxford Circus.
Dozens of people were hurt when a fight broke out on the London Underground at the height of the Black Friday rush hour, causing a stampede.
Within minutes, the incident was being reported as a terror attack. Some people were injured as they jumped
‘People ... will see a visible security presence, with police patrols and additional security’
from escalators in a desperate effort to flee shops.
The plans, which will be launched as part of the biggest ever counter-terror winter advertising campaign, are intended to ensure evacuations are safer and more orderly.
Shoppers are also being reminded to remain vigilant, as the continuing terror threat remained at severe status.
Launching the campaign, Chief Supt Nick Aldworth, the national coordinator for Protect and Prepare, said: “As people are enjoying the festive season they will see a visible security presence, with police patrols and additional security in crowded places.
“Unpredictable deployments across the UK will also provide an additional layer of protection, with specially trained uniformed and plain-clothes officers working to deter, detect and disrupt hostile reconnaissance.”
He added: “Last year, on Oxford Street, we saw a fight at a Tube station cause panic when people believed a terrorist attack had occurred. We have learnt from that. Our 60-second check will better prepare us to deal with something similar in the future.
“I want staff to know who is appointed to make decisions on the shop floor, how to enter and exit a building in an emergency, how to lock down or where to hide if needs be.”