The Metropolitan Police, the City of London Police and the British Transport Police are busily working as a unit to draft advice sheets for businesses and residents in the Square Mile on how they might deal with suicide bombings.

The move is a direct response to the events of 7/7 when London’s bus and tube networks were targeted.

Security arrangements for businesses will be reviewed, with a concentration on physical barriers and the assessment of so-called ‘stand-off’ distances (which measure how close a car or other vehicle is allowed in relation to the main entrance of a given building).

Speaking about the joint police initiative in the Capital, Kevin Rosser – terrorism advisor at Control Risks Group – told Security Management Today: “The effect of 7/7 is to accelerate a process that’s already underway. Specifically, that of companies reviewing their security measures and procedures, and then taking steps to enhance them wherever any gaps are apparent.”

Hopefully, one of the biggest changes to emerge from 7/7 and the subsequent attempted attacks two weeks later will be the ‘transformation’ of security from being seen as a back office function to one that must become a Board-level priority.

Source

SMT