Most of the concerns raised by the public as a result of the Action Counters Terrorism, or ACT, initiative turned out to be nothing to cause any alarm. However, a crucial number contained important pieces of information that resulted in further action from police – information that might otherwise have been missed, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Lucy D’Orsi, told an audience at the Counter Terror Expo in May. A significant number of the calls were made following the Westminster attack of March 22.
DAC D’Orsi, who is the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) Lead for Protective Security, revealed the figures to an audience attending the annual CT Expo at London Olympia. She also told delegates the police aimed to increase its use of the National Barrier Asset – temporary protective structures – during short term sumner events that attract crowds.
She said: “The increased response from the general public and from professionals whose job it is to keep people safe within crowded places, has been really heartening. But, as we have seen very recently here in London, we can not afford to stand still. We need to exploit every possible way of keeping people safe – and do all we can to keep everyone vigilant.
“We are working very closely with security managers in busy shopping centres, transport hubs and entertainment venues. The fact that record numbers are attending this event shows the desire to do more. Whether it is in business communities or local communities, we need to encourage everyone to keep contributing because, sadly, terrorism is a growing and increasingly complex threat.”
CT policing at a stand at the two-day London Olympia exhibition (pictured, view of the show floor from balcony) was promoting the National Barrier Asset (NBA). This unit manages, with technicians, protective barriers that can be deployed by any of the England and Wales Home Office forces. Some of the NBA equipment is placed around Parliament.
