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Police lead anti-terrorism drill

6/ 5/2008

POLICE carried out two controlled explosions and arrested two men in an early morning anti-terrorism raid – but you can be forgiven if this dramatic event escaped your radar.

For this was the made-up scenario given to an audience gathered at Whitworth Civic Hall in a fake news bulletin.

It was part of a multi-agency table-top exercise designed to discuss how a possible police counter-terrorism operation might be conducted and how it would affect the community.

The aim of the day was to improve the understanding of the impact of counter-terrorism policing in the community.

It started with a fake BBC news report from the fictitiously named St Mary’s Road in Rawtenstall – a small quiet street tucked away in Rossendale – saying that a home had been raided and two controlled explosions carried out on cars at one of the addresses.

Two people had also been arrested, the audience was told. People were then invited to discuss the impact of each event on the community and how they would act.

Throughout the day more news bulletins were shown as developments occurred hours, days and weeks after the initial operation.

The event was organised by Carolyn Wilkins, chief executive of Rossendale Council, and Chief Superintendent Neil Smith, of Lancashire Constabulary.

Ch Supt Smith said: ‘As a senior police officer one of my key responsibilities is protecting people. This was a table-top exercise with a difference.

‘It is very thought-provoking and gave opportunities to discuss our understanding and how we work as organisations, as members of the community and how we work together in such events.’

Mrs Wilkins said: ‘I really hope it was an interesting day. It was a valuable exercise and it gave people the chance to get to know people face-to-face that they may only have previously known through an email address.’

Detective Superintendent John Gallagher from Lancashire Constabulary’s Special Branch said that terrorism could strike anywhere and at any moment – even in Rossendale – and agencies had to be prepared.

The guests taking part in the exercise also included representatives of the East Lancashire Primary Care Trust, members of the Asian community and mosque leaders, church leaders and Green Vale Homes.