Terror Attacks
What is the risk of terror attacks to Warwickshire?
Everyone needs to be vigilant to any risks of terrorism.
The terrorist threat to the UK comes from a range of ideologies, including Islamist extremism, Extreme Right-Wing terrorism and other emerging ideologies. The threat can come from organised groups, small networks or self-initiated individuals acting alone.
Future attacks are likely to be by ‘self-initiated’ terrorists who are not part of a terrorist organisation using low sophistication methods such as a knife or vehicle.
As a result it’s really important to keep an eye out for people who might be at risk of radicalisation. Radicalisation can occur because of contact with those with extremist views, or through accessing extremist material online.
The young, vulnerable, or disenfranchised are among those who are at increased risk of radicalisation. You can learn more about the government's ACT Early campaign to prevent radicalisation here.
How could terror attacks
affect you and your family?
- Risk to life
- Many of the networks and individuals who pose a terrorist threat seek to harm large numbers of people
- Some groups aspire to attack infrastructure using both traditional methods and alternatives such as cyber attacks
- Any form of attack can potentially threaten life, property and community cohesion
We can all be better prepared to
respond and recover from terror attacks
Follow these practical steps so you and your family can be better prepared for a terror attack.
Know the current threat level
Improve your knowledge by completing ACT Awareness Training
You can access up-to-date and accurate information to improve your knowledge by viewing the Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) website and the ProtectUK website.
The free ACT Awareness training provides:
- Current counter-terrorism awareness and guidance.
- Advice on recognising suspicious behaviour, suspicious items and security vulnerabilities.
- Information on how to respond during a terrorist incident.
- Access to wider protective security resources and updates through ProtectUK.
Be aware of hostile reconnaissance
Criminals and terrorists may conduct surveillance before an attack. Report suspicious behaviour such as:
- Unusual interest in security measures, staff routines or access points.
- Photography or filming focused on security features.
- Attempts to gain information about emergency procedures.
- Repeated visits without obvious reason.
- Report concerns via ACT or by calling the police on 101 (999 in an emergency).
Staying safe in crowded locations
When attending events, shopping centres, entertainment venues or public gatherings:
- Remain alert to your surroundings.
- Identify emergency exits on arrival.
- Report suspicious activity to venue staff or police.
Follow directions from emergency responders in the event of an incident.
How to prepare
your business
Keep yourself safe in the rare event of a firearms or weapons attack
How to respond to terror attacks:
Report suspicious activity or suspicious packages in confidence online at www.act.campaign.gov.uk or by
calling the police on 0800 789 321 or 101. If you think it’s an emergency, always ring 999.
IN THE RARE EVENT OF A FIREARMS OR WEAPONS ATTACK - RUN, HIDE, TELL:
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: It’s better to hide than to confront. Remember to turn your phone to silent and turn off vibrate. Barricade yourself in if you can. Then IF and only when it is safe to do so…
TELL: the police by calling 999.
Find your emergency contacts for terror attacks
Recovering from terror attacks
Your risk assessment and mitigation measures should allow you to be better prepared for a security breach or incident and enable you to return to normality quickly. This is particularly important for smaller businesses that may not have the resources to endure even a few days without trading.
For more information and guidance, please visit the www.npsa.gov.uk
Following an incident, community support, accurate information, business continuity arrangements and access to wellbeing services can help individuals and organisations recover more quickly.
What can you do to support your community?
- Be aware that strong communities can help fight terrorism.
- Be vigilant for changes in people which may be due to radicalisation, such as withdrawing, sharing radical views, or watching online material which may be violent or of an extremist nature.
- Seek advice or report suspicions to police (101, 999).
- Free Prevent training is available for use by communities www.gov.uk/guidance/prevent-duty-training
- Report suspicious activity, hostile reconnaissance or unattended suspicious items.
- Support local events and venues in implementing proportionate security measures.
- Share trusted information from ProtectUK, ACT and government sources.
- Challenge misinformation following an incident and rely on official updates.
How prepared is your business?
- Businesses can conduct a security risk assessment via ProtectUK and consider where you may need to put in any mitigations.
- UK based companies can complete ACT Awareness e-Learning. This is a counter terrorism awareness product designed for all. It is available via ProtectUK and is free to use.
- You can view the National Protective Security Authority NPSA website www.npsa.gov.uk which has lots of information about physical security, personal security, personnel security, and security minded communications.
- Complete See, Check and Notify e-learning course SCaN for all staff | ProtectUK to increase your awareness of hostile reconnaissance and how you can help to counter it.
- Develop and regularly review emergency and evacuation procedures.
- Train staff in emergency response actions, including Guide/Shelter/Report Guide Shelter Report | ProtectUK.
- Consider first aid and trauma response arrangements.
- Review security of crowded places, entrances, vehicle access and critical assets.
- Exercise incident and business continuity plans periodically.
- Martyn’s Law, formally known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, is a piece of legislation that aims to ensure public premises and events are better prepared for terrorist attacks. Learn more about Martyn's Law at Martyn's Law | ProtectUK
- Although the requirements will apply to qualifying premises and events, all organisations can benefit from adopting the principles of preparedness, staff awareness, planning and training.
What LRF partners are doing to become
Better Prepared?
We work together to:
- Identify groups or individuals who pose a threat and actively address that.
- Provide training and guidance to event organisers, businesses and other organisations to help them understand the terrorist threat, improve protective security and preparedness.
- Ensure emergency responders have the trained and exercised resources in place to be ready to respond.
- Work with local authorities, businesses, faith communities, education settings and event organisers to reduce vulnerability to attack.
Who is responsible for managing
terror attacks in the county?
In an emergency, or if you need urgent police assistance, you should always dial 999.
You can also report suspicious activity by contacting the police in confidence on 0800 789 321.
Mi5 - Information about threat levels
GOV.UK - Report Suspicious activity - Report terrorist or extremist content online – Report possible terrorist or extremist activity online | Action Counters Terrorism.
Citizen Aid App - a useful website and App that provides information to help the public stay safe and improvise effective medical treatment, before the emergency services arrive to provide professional medical support.
Further resources
Some of our partners
