Counter-terrorism
Prepare
Ensuring the UK is as ready as it can be to handle the consequences of a terrorist attack.
Prepare aims to reduce the impact of a terrorist attack, should one occur. This includes work that would take place during an attack, and the effort to recover from an attack after it happens.
We have studied every attack and plot against the UK to learn everything we can about how to improve our response. Every region in the country has a plan in place to deal with an attack, and return to normal as soon as possible.
The key work in Prepare includes:
- identifying the potential risks the country faces from terrorism, and assessing the impact of those risks
- improving our ability to respond to attacks
- evaluating and testing our preparedness
- identifying weaknesses in the system through a combination of intensive training and analysing past attacks
Huge training effort underway
Recent attempted attacks in Exeter and Glasgow indicate clearly that terrorism does not just happen in London. We must be prepared throughout the country.
In recent years, thousands of people around the country - from police officers to security staff to store managers - have been trained to deal with the results of a terrorist attack.
The work has been wide-ranging:
- police officers in London have spoken to every pub and nightclub operator
- every shopping centre in the UK has been advised on reducing vulnerability
- new security measures have been introduced at airports
Thousands of people have been trained
Up and down the country, we have conducted training exercises with a range of agencies to prepare them to handle a terrorism attack.
Everyone from emergency services and hospitals to local councils, ports and airports has taken part in this training.
