David Veness, assistant commissioner at the Metropolitan Police in charge of counter-terrorism, has set up a project (codenamed ‘Unicorn’) aimed at strengthening links between police and business in the fight against terror attacks on major sites across London – including Canary Wharf.

The central London-based project is being funded by a small number of firms including a major High Street bank, and is headed up by Major General John Holmes (who retired from his post at the Ministry of Defence last year).

“We’re going to look at ways in which we can improve the flow of information and advice to businesses on how they might better respond to terrorist alerts, and how we can increase the co-ordination of security for corporate buildings,” said Holmes. It’s likely that Holmes will look to the way companies in New York and Washington have re-thought their strategic approach to security after the terror attacks of September 11.

Many businesses on the Canary Wharf Estate, a prime target for would-be terrorists, have rightly taken the threats very seriously. For example, in November 2001 Barclays made major changes to the design of its 30-storey Churchill Place hq. It is understood that MI5 has also advised several businesses in the area.

The Financial Services Authority, which is based on the Wharf’s North Colonnade, has set up its own back-up site to prevent shut down in the event of attack. A recent review of the Estate by the financial ‘watchdog’ stated that the 40 firms questioned had demonstrated “considerable improvements in continuity planning” post-September 11.

Source

SMT