Staying safe from terrorism

What you can do

Communities defeat terrorism. We need the help and support of individuals, businesses and communities across the UK to remain alert and maintain the safety and security of those places where we live, work and socialise.

If you see or hear something unusual or suspicious, trust your instincts and ACT (Action Counters Terrorism) by reporting possible terrorist activity in confidence. Any piece of information could be important, so it's better to be safe and report anything you see. You can help the police prevent terrorism and save lives. 

Crowded places, events, public transport, and iconic locations throughout the country are some examples of locations that could be potential targets for terrorists. 

You're familiar with your workplace and surrounding area, so you’re ideally placed to spot when something is amiss. In this period of heightened alert, it is vital to remain vigilant, trust your instincts and report possible terrorist activity to the police. 

Look for anything that seems out of the ordinary, such as:

• people in stationary vehicles watching a building or structure
• vehicles moving slowly near public buildings, structures or bridges, or parked in suspicious circumstances
• people using recording equipment, including camera phones, or seen making notes or sketches of security details
• someone suspicious paying close attention to specific entry and exit points, stairwells, hallways or fire escapes
• people loitering at or near premises for long periods and watching staff, visitors and deliveries for no apparent reason
• people asking detailed or unusual questions about buildings and business operations, facilities (such as room layouts), security or parking for no apparent reason
• anyone in ‘off limits’ areas, plant rooms and similar – ask these people who they are and what they're doing, and report this immediately to your security manager or call 999. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use our textphone service 18000 or text us on 999 if you’ve pre-registered with the emergencySMS service.

If you’ve witnessed any of the above, trust your instincts and report it, in confidence, using our online tool to report possible terrorist activity or call the anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321. Our specially trained officers will take it from there.

Run Hide Tell

Counter Terrorism Policing advises three key steps to stay safe during a firearms or weapons attack. Run Hide Tell.

This advice works in many different places and situations. We know from case studies and testimony of people who have survived attacks that this advice can save lives.

In the event of a firearms or weapons attack:

• Run to a place of safety. This is a far better option than to surrender or negotiate. If there's nowhere to go, then...
• Hide and remember to turn your phone to silent and turn off vibrate. Barricade yourself in if you can. Then finally...
• Tell the police by calling 999 when it’s safe to do so.

Video: How to stay safe

This video from Counter Terrorism Policing shows the three key steps to help you stay safe during a firearms or weapons attack.

How can someone with disabilities follow the Run, Hide, Tell advice?

All situations are different and we recognise that people’s ability to Run, Hide, Tell will vary for reasons such as age, fitness and capability.

When running's not an option, you should make every effort to move away from the area as quickly as you can. The Run, Hide, Tell guidance highlights the importance of people caught up in such a scenario helping those around them who need it.

If an attack takes place in a workplace, companies also have a duty of care to make sure disabled employees can be evacuated.

If you have a hearing impairment

If you have a hearing impairment you may be unable to tell where a gunshot is coming from so you might be unsure of which direction to go in. 

The priority for officers who respond to a firearms or weapons attack will be to assess the threat and risk, as well as the potential vulnerability of anyone caught up in the incident.

Our firearms officers receive core training on how to be aware of and deal with different communities, including those have a hearing or speech impairment, or hard of hearing or have other communication or sensory impairment difficulties.

Protect your business

The Guide Shelter Report (GSR) guidance on ProtectUK gives security advice for businesses, site owners and staff on what to do if there's a terrorist attack.

You can also find out more about protecting your business or public premises from terrorism.