Searches

After a receipt of a bomb threat, responsibility for mounting a search lies with the organization concerned, not the Police. Search teams should be organized and assigned definite areas. In view of the risks, involved teams should consists of volunteers. They should obviously be people who are familiar with their areas ex. maintenance staff, supervisors or managers.

They (or their deputies) must be ready to move into action immediately and must be fully aware of what to do. This requires briefing and practice. It is imperative that a quick and effective means of mobilizing the search team be agreed upon, each member assigned a search area and a reporting system worked out.

It is difficult to generalize about where the search team should turn their attention first as naturally much depends on the individual building. If the location of the bomb is given in the bomb warning message – start there. Then those parts of the building that are available and open to public use ex. lobbies, rest rooms, waiting rooms, stairwells, fire escapes. The exterior of the building should not be overlooked. ex. gardens, window sills, loading bays.

“ The most vital instruction to searches and general staff alike if a suspicious object is found is that it should be touched or moved.” Devices maybe booby-trapped with motion-sensitive component parts. The area must be kept clear.

It is advisable for anyone guarding the area pending the arrival of explosives experts to keep a wall or other substantial barrier between their position and the object.

Evacuation

Careful advance planning and rehearsal is essential for rapid and efficient evacuation in the event of bomb threat. It is emphasized at the outset that any decision as to whether threatened premises should be evacuated or not rests solely with the occupier, although the opinion of the Senior Police Officer in charge of any incident would obviously play a part in determining that decision.

While automatic evacuation of premises upon the mere threat, of a bomb may appear prudent, occupiers are asked to consider the following points when formulating their plans: Past police experience in the area indicates that bomb threats are generally the work of malicious Hoaxers and automatic evacuation may encourage them to make repeat calls while any resultant publicity could induce additional malicious calls from other sources.

If it became known to the staff of an organization that automatic evacuation would follow a bomb threat, certain dissatisfied employees or ex-employees may attempt to disrupt the work of the organization or in the case of the employees obtain a respite from their routine work.

Unnecessary evacuation would result in a considerable number of loss working-hours. Evacuation of large buildings containing many people could possible lead to panic and perhaps injury which be unfortunate if the bomb threat proved to be hoax.

Bombs Planted But Location Not Known

Until any unexploded. bomb has been located, automatic evacuation may result in people being led from comparative safety into danger areas which may well be on lower floor levels rather than higher levels. Terrorists, intent on attacking people rather than machinery, may well plant a bomb on a fire escape route or in an adjacent room such as toilet area, again endangering staff evacuating premises.

Additional Explosive Device

In the event of the evacuation, no one remaining should stay closer than three hundred feet from the suspected object. Those outside the building should be evacuated to an assembly point at safe distance away since there will be danger from flying glass or debris. Persons who are required to evacuate the building should take their personal belongings with them. This simplifies the tasks of search teams.

Unexpected Explosion

In the event of unexpected explosion, controlled evacuation should begin immediately and staff and public directed away from the site of the explosion. The Police and Fire Brigade should be summoned and the Ambulance Service alerted. Any utilities that maybe contributing to the damage should be cut off, although, if possible electricity should be maintained. In addition, the scene of the explosion should be cordoned off, and, in general, rescue work left to the Fire Brigade, who have the requisite training.

Postal Bomb

Postal bombs may be sent in envelopes no thicker than a quarter of an inch or in parcels up to a maximum of 22 lbs. In the latter case, they may be either of the explosive or incendiary variety.

Remember, they may explode on opening, so look out for: The postmark, especially if foreign, and any name and address of sender. The writing, which may be “foreign” style. The balance, which if uneven is suspect. The weight, if this seems to be excessive for size. The holes, pin points that might be made by a wire.

The stains, which could be “sweating” explosives. The smell, some explosives have an aroma of marzipan or almonds. The fell, in the case of letters it will indicate whether there is only folded paper inside the envelope (which will show that it is alright) or if there is stiffening e.g. cards or the feel of metal. In which case, treat as very suspect. IF IN DOUBT-CALL POLICE

Transparent Polyester Film

Polyester Film, 0.004€ thick, is applied with adhesive to the inside of glazed areas. In the event of an explosion shattering the glass, it is held together by the film. On new windows, or areas being re-glazed, the film should be applied from edge to the edge of the glaze.

On existing glazed areas, the film should be applied up to the edge of the putty or glazing bars. Where the film is insufficiently wide to cover the glass in one piece, the relevant manufacturer will state how the film is to be joined i.e. overlapped (and by how much) or butt ended. The film cannot be applied to rough surfaced glass, however, consideration may be given to reversing the glass.

Terylene Net Curtains

The curtains should be of Terylene 70 denier woven or 90 or 100 knitted in lockstitch. Such curtains should be twice the width of the window and one-halftimes the length. The bottom of the curtains should be hemmed and weighted flexible weights at the rate of 400 grams per meter, (about 1 lb per yard). Lead shot and chain has been found suitable for this purpose. The curtains should be hung on lightweight fittings as close to the glass as possible.

The excess length of curtain should be folded concertina wise and laced in shallow troughs at window sill level. The effect of such curtains, in the event of explosion, is to blow out parachute fashion and contain the glass. It is Recommended That Both Film And Curtains Be Professionally Fitted.