Taking steps to counter terrorism can also help manage other concerns, such as theft, and improve general safety at your site.
Strengthening the security measures at your site can protect against all forms of crime, including terrorism. This may include increasing your protective security by investing in physical deterrents, such as locks, and establishing a strong, zero-tolerance security culture by knowing what to look out for and how to report it.
Terrorism has similarities to everyday crime as both often involve a degree of planning and willingness to exploit poor security practices. Though terrorism and crime often differ in their motivations and aims, pre-attack behaviours are often similar. Both groups may conduct reconnaissance, where they gather information about a location to assess its security vulnerabilities and the likelihood of a successful attack. Information may be gained through online research, on-site visits and, occasionally, through insider knowledge.
Those intending to commit acts of terrorism can be discouraged from targeting your business or neighbouring sites through generic crime prevention measures. These measures often aim to:
- Increase the difficulty of committing crime (e.g. gaining access to premises)
- Increase the risks associated with committing crime (e.g. the risk of detection)
- Reduce rewards associated with committing crime (e.g. access to contents or victims)
Physical security measures can counter terrorism and other crimes by enabling you to:
- DETER: Visible security measures reduce the likelihood of your site being chosen as a target
- DETECT: Vigilance measures enable quick identification and response, allowing potential perpetrators less time to successfully commit crime
- DELAY: Physical security measures (e.g. locks) make it more difficult for criminals to access your property, delaying their actions