Protecting and preparing against terrorism
Terrorists aim to attack locations where they can have maximum impact and cause the most casualties. Our counter terrorism security advisors (CTSAs) have responsibility for dealing with protective security in crowded places. This could mean areas like shopping centres, sporting stadiums, pubs and bars, bus/train stations or airports.
The role of our CTSA officers is to identify and assess local ‘critical’ sites within our force area that might be vulnerable to terrorist or extremist attack; then, in conjunction with the site owners, advise on appropriate protective security plans to reduce the impact of an attack upon that site and the surrounding community.
They work closely with representatives of trade organisations and professional bodies to ensure counter terrorism protective security advice is incorporated in general crime regimes.
CTSAs receive comprehensive specialist training in areas such as explosives and pre-cursor chemicals, pathogens and toxins, radiological sources, site and vulnerable point surveying, business continuity and disaster recovery, information and personnel security, integrated security systems, designing out vehicle borne terrorism and the threat from CBRN attack.
Derived from the national counter terrorism strategy, the key national priorities for CTSA work are:
- To provide advice on the protection of crowded places.
- To provide advice on the protection of hazardous sites and the securing of dangerous substances (i.e. explosives, pre-cursor chemicals, pathogens and toxins, radiological and other toxic chemicals).
- To support the CPNI in the protection of critical national infrastructure.
Should you wish to speak with a counter terrorism security advisor regarding any of the work mentioned here please view the 'Contact' link in the right hand menu.
Please visit the National Counter Terrorism Security Office by selecting this link for full details on the work of CTSAs and supporting information documents, by clicking on the link at the side.