SIA Counter-Terrorism 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A door supervisor notices a vehicle driving slowly past the venue multiple times over several nights, with the driver appearing to take notes. What should the door supervisor do?
- Approach the vehicle and confront the driver
- Ignore it as it is probably a taxi driver
- Record details (registration, make, model, driver description, times) and report it to the venue manager and police as possible hostile reconnaissance (Correct answer)
- Take a photograph and post it on social media to warn others
Correct answer: Record details (registration, make, model, driver description, times) and report it to the venue manager and police as possible hostile reconnaissance
This behaviour is consistent with hostile reconnaissance - the pre-attack planning phase. The door supervisor should discreetly record all available details including vehicle registration, make, model, colour, driver description, times, and dates. This should be reported to the venue manager and to police via the Anti-Terrorist Hotline (0800 789 321) or 101. Never confront the individual or post on social media.
Question 2: What is the recommended minimum evacuation distance from a suspicious package the size of a briefcase?
- 50 metres
- 100 metres (Correct answer)
- 200 metres
- 400 metres
Correct answer: 100 metres
The general guidance for a suspicious package the size of a briefcase or rucksack is an evacuation distance of at least 100 metres. For larger items such as a car, the distance increases to 200 metres, and for a large vehicle (van or lorry) it is 400 metres. These are minimum distances and should be increased where possible, using solid buildings as cover.
Question 3: What is the correct procedure if you receive a bomb threat by telephone at your venue?
- Hang up immediately and call 999
- Keep the caller talking as long as possible, use the bomb threat checklist to gather information, then call 999 (Correct answer)
- Put the caller on hold and transfer them to the police
- Record the call on your mobile phone
Correct answer: Keep the caller talking as long as possible, use the bomb threat checklist to gather information, then call 999
If you receive a bomb threat call, keep the caller talking for as long as possible. Use the bomb threat checklist card to record key information: exact wording of the threat, when the bomb will go off, where it is, what it looks like, what kind of bomb, who planted it, why, and the caller's details (accent, background noise, manner). Then immediately call 999.
Question 4: In the context of protecting crowded places, what does the term 'grey space' refer to?
- Underground car parks beneath venues
- Areas outside a venue's boundary that are publicly accessible but where attacks could affect the venue, such as queues on the pavement (Correct answer)
- The dance floor area when the lights are dimmed
- Staff-only areas not covered by CCTV
Correct answer: Areas outside a venue's boundary that are publicly accessible but where attacks could affect the venue, such as queues on the pavement
Grey space refers to publicly accessible areas outside a venue's physical boundary where crowds may gather, such as external queuing areas, smoking areas, and approaches to the venue. These areas are particularly vulnerable as they often have no physical security measures. Door supervisors must extend their vigilance to these spaces, especially when queues form.
Question 5: Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) is a collaboration of which organisations?
- MI5, MI6, and GCHQ only
- Metropolitan Police and City of London Police only
- Police forces across the UK working together to prevent, deter, and investigate terrorist activity (Correct answer)
- The British Army and Royal Navy
Correct answer: Police forces across the UK working together to prevent, deter, and investigate terrorist activity
Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) is a collaboration of police forces across the UK dedicated to preventing, deterring, and investigating terrorist activity. It includes Counter Terrorism Units (CTUs) and Counter Terrorism Intelligence Units (CTIUs) in regional hubs. CTP works alongside MI5, which provides intelligence, but CTP handles the policing and investigation aspects.
Question 6: What action should a door supervisor take if they observe someone in the venue filming crowd movements and security staff positions on their phone?
- Immediately seize their phone and delete the footage
- Politely approach and ask what they are filming, observe their reaction, record details, and report to management and police if suspicious (Correct answer)
- Announce over the PA system that filming is prohibited
- Do nothing as filming in public is legal
Correct answer: Politely approach and ask what they are filming, observe their reaction, record details, and report to management and police if suspicious
While filming in public venues is not necessarily illegal, it can be an indicator of hostile reconnaissance when focused on security measures, crowd patterns, and staff positions. The door supervisor should approach calmly and professionally, ask the purpose of filming, and assess the response. Details should be recorded and reported to venue management. If the behaviour is deemed suspicious, it should be reported to police.
SIA Counter-Terrorism 4
A door supervisor notices a vehicle driving slowly past the venue multiple times over several nights, with the driver appearing to take notes.
What should the door supervisor do?