Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
New safety video issued for tourists
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 was 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 beach resort (pictured inset).
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 coordinator 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 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, which holidaymakers should find out in advance. 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.”
More than 20,000 travel reps have been trained in safety measures including how to spot suspicious items and activity, as well as what to do in the event of a major terrorist incident.