Counter terrorism advice and guidance
The current threat level for international terrorism in the UK is SEVERE, which means an attack is highly likely.
Visit the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (opens new window) website for the latest counter terrorism advice and guidance.
Event planning and counter terrorism considerations
You may be familiar with putting together a plan for your event and will know how to address many of the requirements around safety, but you may not be so familiar with security issues and terrorism in particular. Here are some of the things we would like you to consider when putting your plan together; this is not an exhaustive list.
We would encourage you to produce an event security plan addressing the terrorism threat, which should take account of attack methodologies and your vulnerabilities. Key issues for inclusion would be:
- Before the event, how will you advertise it, be careful not to give too much information out that might assist a terrorist in planning an attack. Consider what can be included to deter this. We call this deterrence communications: Crowded places guidance - communication (GOV.UK) (opens new window)
- Your site itself, starting from the approach, the perimeter to inside where the event is taking place. What are the risks and what can you do to mitigate against them?
- Communications are key to managing an incident. Are your communications 'fit for purpose'? It's not just about how you communicate with your staff but also the public.
- Training for both paid staff and volunteers. There is some excellent free online ACT awareness e-learning training to raise awareness and to empower your staff (see link below).
We strongly recommend planning for a terrorist incident and may ask you for details of your event security plan when considering your application.
Use the websites listed on this page to obtain further information to mitigate terrorist attack and help you to develop your event security plan.
Further information and guidance
- Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) awareness e-learning (GOV.UK) (opens new window)
- Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) e-learning specific for the security industry (GOV.UK) (opens new window)
- Counter-terror first aid awareness guidance (GOV.UK) (opens new window)
- Crowded places guidance - counter-terrorism (GOV.UK) (opens new window)
- Report suspicious activity related to terrorism (ACT) (opens new window)
- CONTEST - the UK's counter-terrorism strategy (GOV.UK) (opens new window)
- Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI) (opens new window)