Nightclub terror attack response exercise held in London

Security experts have experienced dealing with realistic terror scenarios in a counter-terrorism emergency planning exercise in a London nightclub.

The safety resilience exercise at the Steel Yard near Cannon Street station was run by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) in partnership with City of London Police, London Ambulance Service, London Fire Brigade, and UK Counter Terrorism Policing.

The event included simulations of an attack with a bladed weapon and a suspicious package.

Ronnie Megaughin, the SIA’s Head of Compliance and Inspections, said: "These realistic scenarios are an excellent method for training security operatives in the best way to approach various emergencies. We present them with a challenge, which can range from a bomb threat to a marauding attack, and let them put their training to use. Counter-terrorism experts are on-hand to give an instant debrief and guidance.

"These are learning experiences that operatives, and their managers, find very useful. If one of these operatives finds themselves in the position of being first responder at an incident, this training could save lives."

Jason Dean, the SIA Criminal Investigation manager who co-ordinated the event, said: "The main aim of exercises like this is to increase public safety in the night-time economy by working with venues and security staff. It’s also to showcase best practice by putting the Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) security e-learning package, which we’ve been recommending to all SIA-licensed operatives, into practice. We’re really pleased with the commitment that all the security staff put into the exercise at the Steel Yard."

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