20/04/2009

£5m Extra Funding To Protect Crowded Places From Terrorist Attacks

An extra £5 million to protect the public from the threat of terrorist attacks in crowded places, has today been announced by Security Minister Lord West.

The funding comes as a public consultation is published on how local authorities, businesses, the police and communities can work together to better secure the places where we live, work and play.

New guidance will help local partners understand their roles and the practical difference they can make to reduce the vulnerability of public areas like pubs, clubs, shopping centres, sports stadia and schools.

They will be able to prioritise their work-based on advice from police Counter Terrorism Security Advisers (CTSAs) who for the first time are carrying out a standardised risk assessment of crowded places across the country.

"There is no greater priority for the Government than the safety and security of the public, and all parts of society have important contributions to make," Lord West said.

"The review that I conducted into crowded places showed that a substantial amount of work has been undertaken to increase levels of protective security in our crowded places. But we need to do more to turn available advice into proportionate action on the ground."

Lord West launched the crowded places consultation documents at a regional event in Birmingham to lay out details of the Government’s revised counter terrorism strategy - 'CONTEST'.

The strategy - published on March 24 - builds on the successes of the existing policy and provided the basis for a co-ordinated approach to counter terrorism.

It sets out principles which provide the basis for the Government's response to terrorism.

(JM/BMcC)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

17 November 2008
'Terrorism Competition' For Design Students
The next generation of architects are being encouraged to consider and include innovative counter terrorism measures in their designs as part of a new Home Office competition launched today.
02 April 2014
Wales Could Restrict The Use Of E-Cigarettes In Public Places
New measures to address some of Wales' major public health challenges, including high levels of drinking and smoking, are being put forward by the Welsh Government today.
20 June 2005
Government launches consultation on smoking proposals
The government is to begin consultation on proposals to ban smoking in most public places in England. The government hopes that the consultation will lead to a Bill being introduced in the autumn. The ‘Choosing Health’ Public Health White Paper published last November, unveiled proposals to ban smoking in all enclosed public spaces and workplaces.
20 July 2009
Swine Flu Phone Service Revealed
Details of a new swine flu advice service has been outlined today. The National Pandemic Flu Service will operate in England as the latest move in the fight against swine flu.
28 April 2005
BMA reinforces call for UK-wide smoking ban
The British Medical Association (BMA) has reinforced its call for a UK-wide ban on smoking in public places, with the publication of a report which, it claims, will “counter the myths” generated by opponents to the ban.