Anti-terror advice given to bars

After Parisian bars and restaurants were targeted by a devastating act of terror, we investigate what the on-trade can do to minimise risk.

Bar owners and bartenders have been warned to be vigilant after Parisian bars and restaurants were targeted by terrorists

Humanity was rocked by the shattering events that took place in Paris on the evening of Friday 13 November 2015. The world united in grief and outrage at how this vibrant city could be targeted in such a callous and cowardly manner – actions claimed by the terrorist group ISIL.

Bars, restaurants and the Bataclan theatre were central in the attack, which wiped out 130 innocent lives – an unfathomable reality that has since caused caution to ripple throughout the global on-trade.

Public nervousness in light of the tragedy impacted sales in London bars and restaurants in November, according to Coffer Peach Business Tracker. The city saw like-for-like sales slow by 1.5%, with chain restaurants bearing the biggest brunt through a decline of 2.6% compared to the same period in 2013. Across the rest of the UK, the on-trade collectively delivered a slight sales increase of 0.3% throughout the month.

“When you consider that October had seen a 2.5% jump in like-for-like sales nationally, with London up 3.5%, you can see the scale of this November fall-back,” commented Peter Martin, vice president of CGA Peach, the business insight consultancy that produces the Tracker in partnership with Coffer Group. “The public’s nervousness is understandable and it seems London has been affected both by a drop-off in tourist business and Londoners not staying out as long after work. Operators are reporting both reduced sales and cancellations of bookings, in restaurants and late night venues.”

Risk of UK attack

In the wake of the atrocity, the Metropolitan Police advised pubs, clubs and bars to be vigilant and review their security plans due to the “severe” risk of a terror attack in the UK. A document from Cross-sector Safety and Security Communications (CSSC) highlighted the “threat level to the UK from international terrorism remains at ‘severe’, which means an attack is highly likely”, but stressed the UK has been at this level since 2014 and people should remain “alert but not alarmed”.

“The police service is now working tirelessly to confront the terrorist threat we all face,” commented Neil Basu, deputy assistant commissioner, special operations. “Be vigilant and you could be the person who spots something odd or unusual and prevents an attack.”

Helping on-trade establishments to be alert to terrorist threats, the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) has provided a detailed document with advice. The guide has been designed to provide protective security suggestions to owners, operators, managers and staff employees working in bars, restaurants and clubs in an effort to “reduce the risk” of a terrorist attack and enable damage limitation.

“Crowded places, including bars, pubs and nightclubs, may feature in the attack plans of terrorist organisations in the future; as they are usually locations with limited protective security measures and therefore afford the potential for mass fatalities and casualties,” the document states. “There is a long history of such attacks and there have been recent attacks on bars and nightclubs in other countries around the world. It is possible that your premises could be involved in a terrorist incident. This might include having to deal with a bomb threat or with suspect items left in or around your premises or sent through the post. In the worst case scenario your staff and customers could be killed or injured, and your premises destroyed or damaged in a ‘no warning’, multiple and coordinated terrorist attack.”

Click through to the following page to see what other practical advice NaCTSO has provided bars and restaurants

Parisian bars and restaurants were targeted by horrendous acts of terror two months ago

Planning security contingencies

The file continues to offer practical advice to create the safest environment possible for guests and staff. Planning is emphasised as a key factor when it comes to risk assessment; on-trade owners are encouraged to carry out assessments and put suitable measures in place to manage risks. It focuses on the importance of ensuring staff members are aware, trained and rehearsed in safety exercises and evacuation plans, and highlights how “the greatest vulnerability to any organisation is complacency”. Owners are also advised to keep access points to a minimum and to maintain a “clear demarcation” between public and private areas. Rubbish bins in or around the premises are ill-advised if possible so as to limit the hiding places for any explosive or other dangerous objects.

Minimising casualties

Doors and windows can also be improved in order to minimise damage and casualties in the event of an explosion. “Many casualties in urban terrorist attacks are caused by flying glass, especially in modern buildings, and glazing protection is an important casualty measure,” the document urges. There are technologies that have been designed to lessen glass shattering from blasts, thus reducing injuries and the costs of re-occupation. Anti-shatter film is also recommended as a “relatively cheap” alternative, which holds fragmented glass together.

Suspicious packages

Even mail can be threatening; recipients are warned to look out for packages that are peculiarly wrapped or have unusual postage marks and unusual letter weights as “most effective letter bombs weigh 50-100g and are 5mm or more thick”, have an almond or marzipan-like odour, or an additional inner envelope. In the case of suspicious items, these should not be handled by any persons and reported to the police immediately.

Gun threats

The worst case scenario for any premises is a bomb explosion or gun attack. The document advises anyone who finds themselves in the midst of a shoot-out to follow four vital steps to stay safe: take cover initially but leave the area as soon as it is safe to do so, abandon all belongings, do not forget that out of sight does not mean you are safe, and when escape is not an option, find a cupboard or room to lock yourself in and silence any electronics such as mobile phones that may give away your location.

France, along with the rest of the world, has patently demonstrated its insubordination for terrorist threats, as it continues to come to terms with the devestation inflicted last year. As consumers across all nations rebuild their confidence in the aftermath of the attack, the message from those at the forefront of combatting terrorist organisations to those in charge of bars, pubs and clubs is clear – be vigilant, be aware and be prepared.

“Police depend on the public to be our eyes and ears,” added deputy assistant commissioner Basu. “We need everyone to be vigilant and to report any suspicious behaviour or activity.” In the UK, contact the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321 or in an emergency dial 999.