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Travel companies to get police training on how to deal with terror attacks
The UK travel industry is to get access to training on how to deal with a possible terror attack as part of the nationwide initiative, Project Griffin.
The move comes after terror attacks in Paris and Brussels led to calls for more vigilance from businesses.
Under the project, one million people who work in crowded places in the UK, such as tourism landmarks, shopping centres or sports centres, will be trained over the next 12 months in how to deal with a possible terrorist attack.
Project Griffin allows existing trainers at companies to pass on police terror training to colleagues.
ABTA, a partner in Project Griffin, is to run training courses designed by national counter terrorism experts.
Dedicated travel industry ‘train the trainer’ courses are designed for businesses to train their staff both in the UK and overseas.
Announcing Project Griffin, detective chief superintendent Scott Wilson said: "Although the UK threat level has remained unchanged since August 2014, it is still at severe.
"The police service is working tirelessly to address the threat but we need everyone to play a part in keeping the public alert, not alarmed.
"Police can help explain what the threats and risks to different sectors are but companies are better placed to explain to staff exactly what action they can take to enhance their security and how to respond if the worst happens.
"Individual organisations have vital protective security information such as building layouts, security equipment and safety procedures. They have the local knowledge that could be vital to keeping staff and the public safe. This is why we have devised self-briefing packages bespoke to different sectors."
ABTA said more details on how to sign up for the travel industry courses will be available soon.
"We will also be using this as part of our ongoing training with suppliers overseas," it said.
"We believe that Project Griffin can lead to greater vigilance and a better understanding of how to act in the event of a terrorist attack, whether in the UK or overseas."
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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