It seems to get stranger every day, the lengths we have to go to I mean, to ensure ours own and our guests safety.
For some years now successive UK governments has sought to keep the major players in the UK Hospitality Industry up to speed with issues relating to 'terrorism'. This is a commendable principle but with an industry as varied as ours and with most of it being proprietor driven in smaller establishment it is difficult to keep everybody up to speed.
So how do the government keep smaller operators up to speed with information on terrorism? Well one way is to open up what you have been telling the larger operators to the smaller ones, which unusually is exactly what the Government has done by publishing a direct link to, wait for it, MI5!
The following measures provide a general reference point for businesses or organisations putting new security measures in place or considering the issue for the first time. Many of them will help protect against crime as well as terrorism and other security threats. The points listed in italics are those recommendations made by MI5, I have added a brief comment underneath if appropriate.
1. Take time to carry out a risk assessment. What kind of threats might you be facing? What is the likelihood of these happening? Where are your vulnerable points? Seek counter terrorist advice through the Counter Terrorist Security Advisor (CTSA) at your local police force.
I like to 'risk assessment' idea as it helps focus the mind on the issue in hand, whether you operate an establishment large enough to get advice form the CTSA is for you to decide.
2. If you are building or acquiring new premises, try to plan your security measures from the outset. This is likely to be more efficient (in both time and expense) than adding on security measures at a later date.
You could also add any alterations you are thinking of doing to the list above.
3. Make security awareness part of your organisation's culture. Put someone at Board level in charge. Arrange regular briefings for staff on what they should be looking out for, and keep notices up-to-date. Take your staff seriously if they identify potential threats. Train staff in emergency and evacuation procedures, and rehearse them regularly. Give more specific training to anyone you think might have to handle a bomb threat.
Good idea about bringing the staff on board, they can be your eyes and ears. I like the training as well for anybody who might have to deal with a bomb threat.
4. Ensure good basic housekeeping in and around your buildings - for example, keep public areas tidy and well-lit, remove any unnecessary furniture, keep garden areas free from dense shrubbery.
With the reducing costs of CCTV this is something you might like to think about. Some insurance companies also look favourably on customers who invest in security devices.
5. Look at the access points to your premises. Keep them to a minimum. Consider introducing passes for staff and procedures for booking in visitors and contractors. Searching of bags may also be desirable but, as with other measures, should be proportionate to the threat and also carefully explained to staff. Look also at vehicle access and parking arrangements. Consider introducing a barrier system, and arranging your car park so that unauthorised vehicles cannot get close to your building.
Might be a little excessive but I do think keeping and eye on the car park is a good idea if anybody wanted to hide a stolen or dangerous vehicle putting it with loads of others seems a good idea!
6. Consider the range of physical measures - locks on windows and doors, CCTV, alarms, lighting - and install them according to your circumstances. Ensure they are working and arrange regular checks.
Sound advice.
7. Look at your mail-handling procedures. Consider setting up a mailroom away from your main premises, and train staff in emergency procedures.
If your post bag is anything like mine this might be difficult but....
8. When recruiting staff or hiring contractors, ensure that they are who they say they are by checking documentation. Follow up references. Once employed, follow good employment practice and in particular ensure that staff have the opportunity to voice grievances and concerns.
And make sure they follow your health and safety policy, any external contractors are your responsibility on your premises.
9. Look at how you might protect your information. Ensure that those who supply, operate and maintain your IT systems are reputable and reliable. Possible security measures range from enhanced IT security to disposing carefully of any confidential waste.
OK hands up all those who backed up their computer this week? Cor you fibber!
10. Plan now for Business Continuity - how you will continue to function if something happens which means your premises or IT systems are out of action.
If you uses any POS system you might like to try a dry run in case it packs up, you might be unpleasantly surprised! Good advice to have a back up plan in any automated procedure not only for terrorism threats.
If you would like to read more log on to
http://www.mi5.gov.uk/output/Page167.html
My name? Bond actually,
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