Raising the alarm

Five years on from the tragic 7/7 London attacks,  the UK terrorist threat level is still set at severe, making it vital that FM teams are capable and fully alert to potential bomb threats

13 July 2010 

Many of the premises and businesses represented nationally by FM teams are considered to be targets for extreme actions. In today’s rapidly changing society, the risks and preparations needed for potential threats are both increased, therefore it is essential that teams are able to respond quickly and efficiently in order to minimise the risk to staff and disruption to the business. With that in mind, it’s crucial we know the right pre threat and post threat planning. Potential bomb threats could be for one of three main reasons:

• Destroy property and infrastructure
• Kill or maim people
• Disturb and inconvenience

With some 90 per cent of bomb threats being hoaxes, the aims of causing as much inconvenience or sometimes financial loss are the most common reason for a threat. An example of this is the 14 bomb threats telephoned through to supermarket chain Tesco, which cost the company millions of pounds in lost sales.

1. Pre threat preparation
• For telephony teams, a signalling device (such as a laminated bomb threat card or a flag) to alert a colleague nearby
• A bomb threat question sheet near to all switchboard or reception phones, which is easily accessible
• Particularly in document handling areas, all relevant posters and leaflets show the most up-to-date procedures
• All team members are fully trained in x-ray techniques, evacuation and invacuation procedures and suspicious persons; in the event of a physical or telephoned threat.


2. Phone call threats
Recent history has shown the likelihood of receiving a telephoned bomb threat has greatly increased in recent years, and higher targets are those with switchboards and those likely to react quickly. The majority of telephoned bomb threats are hoaxes, however occasionally the threat will be real. All bomb threat calls, whether genuine or hoax, constitute a crime and should be reported to the on site security team and then the police.

The first thing to be immediately recorded is the time of the call. If the caller says the bomb is going to go off in 20 minutes, the exact time of the call will be crucial to the police. The caller may ring-off immediately after giving the message, but whoever takes the call should nevertheless try to get a response to the following questions and keep the caller on the phone as long as possible:

1. Where is the bomb is right now? (This is vital as there shouldn’t be an evacuation of a building if the bomb is outside, or vice versa. This devastating misfortune occurred at the Omagh bombing in Ireland in 1998 where the courthouse was evacuated, resulting in the death of 29 people outside the courthouse.)
2. When will the bomb go off?
3. What does it look like?
4. What kind of bomb is it?

The caller’s voice, tone, speech, background noises and where the call could possibly be coming from are all essential details that should be recorded and could be used in any subsequent investigation. Being on the receiving end of a bomb threat can be stressful, for that reason the four points below are key to remember:
• Keep calm
• Obtain as much information as possible; ask the caller to repeat the information
• Note any number shown on the phone display
• Report it immediately to security and then the police.


3. Packages
Anyone handling incoming mail is at risk of a bomb threat whether it has been scanned through a mail room or not. Not all letter bombs will be explosive; possible contents could be contaminated needles, corrosive materials, sarin, anthrax or mustard gas. Signs such as the seven S’s below may seem innocent or possible common mistakes by themselves, but a combination of a few of these may require a cautious approach. The seven S’s are: size, shape, sender, stamp, seal, stain and smell.

Any object that looks suspicious should be treated that way. A distinctive marker should be placed near (not touching) the device, enabling security or the police to identify the object easily. Any mail containing anything suspicious (including powder) should be covered immediately with a coat, bin, or anything that will cover the item, to prevent it contaminating the air. In all instances, if anything suspicious is found, one golden rule should be followed, to never touch or move the object.

4. People
There is no stereotype for suspicious people. Recent suicide attacks, car bombs and hoaxes have shown us that they have been men, women and children of many nationalities, religions and political leanings. This makes it extremely difficult to know any giveaway signs and people’s intentions; however, previous incidents have been able to identify a few tell tale signs:
• ‘Unseasonal’ clothing (not in the ‘last-season’s-fashion-trends’ type of way, but something inappropriate for the temperature) as a method of concealing something that may mark them as suspicious
• Tightly clutching bags
• Nervous handling of clothes or accessories
• Mumbling or chanting to oneself
• Excessive perspiration
• Agitated behaviour
• Lack of eye contact

5. Post threat
• Due to the traumatic nature of dealing with bomb threat calls, where necessary, staff should be relieved from their duties for an appropriate amount of time.
• In every instance, security should be notified immediately
• If required, counselling or HR assistance should be sought
• It may also be beneficial to keep a dictaphone, to record any post-call comments
• A debrief with all involved will be an essential tool, whether hoaxed or not
• An interview with the police may be required

Terrorist incidents and bomb threats will only get more sophisticated, therefore organisations need to establish a culture of constantly updating and evolving current procedures.

Ruth Morris is operations trainer for Mitie