Back to basics: Don't be a soft target for terrorists

During the current terrorist threat, pubs have not been targeted as they were in the 1970s by the Provisional IRA and in 1999, when the Admiral Duncan in Soho was hit by a lone neo-Nazi bomber. But, especially since the July bombings last year, pubs have been included among the possible "soft targets" identified by the security services.

At last week's Institute of Licensing Conference in Brighton, representatives from local authorities across the country sat up and took notice as Jim Maietta from the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) warned of the dangers and set out what pubs and clubs could be doing to reduce the terrorist threat.

NaCTSO sits somewhere between MI5 and the police and employs a team of counter-terrorism security advisors, based with police forces around the country, as well as specialists in protecting "crowded places and soft targets".

"My job is to make people and operators of pubs and clubs aware that where there is a crowd the onus is on you to reduce the risk," said Jim. "The July 7 bombings saw a move to civilian targets. We know there will be no warnings and not all future attacks will be by suicide bombers.

"The greatest risk is complacency. It's my belief that licensed premises are likely to feature in the attack plans of terrorists because they have the capacity to have a high impact.

"There are no regulations that can force licensees to act, but we must make sure they are aware of the risk."

His advice on protective security ranged from simple good housekeeping to prevent packages being planted on or near the premises, to being aware that terrorists need to plan their attacks - what's known as "hostile reconnaissance".

"The Al-Qaeda training manual talks about getting information, maps and plans and so on. That helps them determine how much explosive they will need, and they will also look at levels of security."

Good, visible security could be enough to deter an attack, he said.

Good housekeeping​

• review use and location of bins
• keep the exterior of the pub clean and tidy
• where possible use furniture that you can't hide things underneath
• limit interior glazing or laminate it with anti-shatter film

Search​

• search the pub inside and out before, during and after opening hours
• train staff to be vigilant at all times
• overt person and bag searching is a visual deterrent
• doorstaff should also monitor vehicle movement around the pub

Evacuation​

• an evacuation could be triggered by an alert in your pub or another premises nearby
• you should have an evacuation procedure that's specific to finding a suspect device
• the assembly point may not be the same as for a fire
• communicate evacuation routes to staff

Hostile reconnaissance​

• consider whether it's necessary to put plans of your building on the internet
• check your CCTV works

More detailed advice is contained in the booklet Protecting Against Terrorism, published by HMSO and available to download from www.mi5. gov.uk/files/pdf/protecting.pdf

The best ways to protect your business will vary. For advice specific to your pub you should contact a counter-terrorism security advisor through your local police station.