Keyholding and Alarm Response security services
Image: The Times

Now that the Prime Minister has announced the final lifting of all social distancing restrictions, and has essentially given the green light for larger amounts of people to enjoy indoor hospitality and to attend large-scale events, Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) is urging everybody to review their post lockdown security plans and to take action to prevent the threat of terrorism.

Now more than ever is the time to ensure that your team and your customers are primed to remain vigilant and they know to ACT if they see or hear anything that they feel isn’t quite right.

CTP have updated their Easing Lockdown Vigilance Campaign Toolkit to ensure that all of the communications messaging are relevant to this summer. With all the messaging and materials that a business, venue or organisation needs to help keep everyone safe, the toolkit now includes situation specific messaging and bespoke resources designed for use surrounding UK music festivals, outdoor events and indoor hospitality.

We’re asking you to use the toolkit to:

• Promote the messaging and materials to your team and customers via your communication channels e.g. internal bulletins and on your external website

• Display our campaign posters in high footfall areas and at events to encourage your customers and team to stay vigilant and report suspicious behaviour

• Share our social media assets on your social media channels using the hashtag #CommunitiesDefeatTerrorism

If you have any further questions regarding the toolkit or you are interested in working in partnership with CT policing and NaCTSO, please email NCTPHQMailbox@ met.police.uk.

It’s not too late to ensure your organisation is prepared to combat the threat of terrorism. These simple actions could save lives:

• Be security-minded when planning and providing briefings to team and volunteers ahead of opening up venues and hosting events – they can be crucial eyes and ears in support of our 24/7 policing efforts

• Whilst you ensure your spaces meet Covid public health regulations, please risk assess your existing sites and any new premises such as outdoor spaces with security in mind too; and consider both NaCTSO’s protective security advice and CPNI’s Personnel Security advice

• Ensure your team and volunteers are educated by signing them up to ACT e-learning training. It is free and takes just 45 minutes. Your team could benefit from See, Check and Notify training covering hostile reconnaissance, vigilance and the power of hello, and reporting suspicious activity

• Download the ACT App as an individual or through a large-enterprise rollout – contact: ct@ highfieldelearning.com for an individual username and password or to find out how to deploy to all employees in your organisation

Any piece of information could be a key piece of the jigsaw. This summer, it’s important that people know they won’t be wasting our time if they report suspicious behaviour to staff or the police. As the UK continues to open up, help us make it known that sharing concerns won’t ruin lives, but it might save them. Encourage your staff and customers to trust their instincts and ACT.

ARK Alarm Response & Keyholding

Would you like to get more information about our security services? ARK Alarm Response and Keyholding provide nationwide security solutions, such as keyholding, live CCTV monitoring with rapid response times, manned guarding, k9 security, mobile patrols and many more that could help reduce threats to you, your team and your premises.

Please reach out to our team here at ARK hello@alarmrk.com