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Mock Terrorist Attack on Transport

Posted on: Thursday, 12 January 2006, 12:00 CST

By MATT SLATER Daily Post Correspondent

A MOCK terrorist attack will be launched on a North West transport hub this weekend as part of a detailed training session to improve security at train stations, airports and bus terminals.

On Saturday chiefs from the region's police forces and ambulance services will gather in Chester for the high-pressure drill.

They will form a command unit working in an imitation operations centre that deals with emergencies throughout Merseyside and the rest of the North West.

The team will then be told about a terrorist-related incident at a transport hub and will be judged on how they deal with the situation.

British Transport Police Deputy Chief Constable Andrew Trotter is leading the session and said the location would remain top secret until the actual day.

He said: "This training session is vital in helping raise the standards of security in the North West and the whole region is involved.

"The incident could take place in Merseyside but the exact details are being kept private.

"Everyday life for passengers will not be affected but it will seem very real to those in the command unit.

"There will be a build up to the incident and it will be as close to a real situation as possible.

"Since the bombings in London, transport security has never been more important and these recreations are the best way to look at what is being done right and what is being done wrong."

Mr Trotter was placed firmly in the spotlight in the wake of the London transport bombings, which claimed more than 50 lives.

He was responsible for helping to co-ordinate investigations to identify the suicide bombers and assess how security could have been improved.

He admits awareness of a potential attack on a transport network has to be at an all time high.

"This is not just an issue that affects London. British Transport Police officers across the country have to be on the same page," he said.

"In the capital we are improving CCTV systems and looking at ways to make safety better for passengers.

"Those ideas are being transferred to everywhere else.

"There is a lot that can be learned from what happened in London and it can be used to make transport safer everywhere.

"I am looking forward to the North West training weekend because it is the best way to evaluate where improvements can be made.

"But I would like to stress we do not choose locations because of any particular problem - they happen throughout the country."

Source: Daily Post; Liverpool

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