Terrorism warning for tourists as holiday season gets under way
BRITISH HOLIDAYMAKERS are being warned to be on alert for terrorist attacks abroad as millions prepare to jet off on their 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.
The video depicts a firearms attack unfolding at a hotel and outlines the main advice.
Just over two years ago 30 British holidaymakers were among 38 victims killed when a gunman opened fire at a Tunisian beach 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.
Det Chief Supt Scott Wilson, national co-ordinator for the protect and prepare strategy, said: “As we saw in Tunisia in 2015, any westerner is likely to be a target anywhere in the world.
“That’s the sad reality of it. The chances of it happening are still very low.
“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 behind belongings 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, which holidaymakers should find out in advance. For EU countries it is 112.