Security
Counter-terrorism exercises
The government and the emergency services regularly practice handling potential crises - including terrorism, natural disasters and major accidents.
This programme has been running for more than 30 years, and ranks among the best in the world. It enables us to:
- test the UK's ability to respond to terrorist incidents
- identify ways in which our ability to respond can be improved
Counter-terrorism exercises are a vital part of our resilience and contingency planning, to prepare for when the worst happens.
This work enables us to:
-
test systems thoroughly
-
train frontline responders - such as police, ambulance and fire staff
-
highlight any vulnerability in our system
Each year the exercise programme includes:
-
three annual large-scale live exercises, involving police forces, other government departments and agencies
-
strategic-level decision-making by senior government officials
- paper exercises where decisions are explored, rather than played out
The Home Office national counter-terrorist exercise programme is dynamic, and ensures that exercises reflect the changing nature of the terrorist threat worldwide.
What happens during an exercise?
All exercises involve participants responding to a scenario, for example a major flood or an explosion.
The participants respond as though the events are really happening – they are given no warning of what the scenario will be before it begins. Exercises (especially live exercises) take months of planning to ensure the situation is as realistic and challenging as possible.
Those involved in an exercise can include:
- government departments
- the emergency services
- the military
- local authorities and health providers
- scientists and technical specialists
Training exercises are an important part of counter-terrorism, as they ensure that we are prepared to respond to any kind of terrorist attack and our counter-terrorist arrangements are tested.
