Northamptonshire Police together with Police forces throughout the United Kingdom, is better trained and equipped than ever before to combat the threat of International and Domestic terrorism. The Force, as part of the ongoing national counter terrorism strategy, has dedicated Counter Terrorism Security Advisers (CTSAs) who are coordinated, trained and tasked by the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO), a specialist police organisation co-located with the Security Service in the National Security Advice Centre (NSAC).

The primary role of these advisers is to provide protective and counter terrorism security advice to support businesses. The advice available takes into account both conventional and non-conventional terrorist techniques and the aim is to reduce vulnerability to terrorist threats. The CTSAs work closely with other Police Forces throughout the Country, Government departments and other agencies.

‘The public can play a key role in supporting the Police. By remaining vigilant, being security minded and having good security measures in place, you can protect your business against crime and make the work of terrorists more difficult. A small investment in security measures greatly enhances the feeling of security on behalf of everyone and helps protect those around you.’

For non-urgent crime prevention advice, businesses can contact their local Crime Reduction Officer, but if you feel that your company could benefit from Counter Terrorism security advice, you can write to the following address:

If you wish to speak a Counter Terrorism Security Adviser, please call 03000 111 222 ext. 5255, 5076 or 5277

Email ctsa@northants.police.uk

Delivered items, which include letters, parcels, packages and anything delivered by post or courier, have been a commonly used terrorist device. A properly conducted risk assessment should give you a good idea of the likely threat to your organisation and indicate precautions you need to take.

Delivered items may be explosive or incendiary. Anyone receiving a suspicious delivery is unlikely to know which type it is, so procedures should cater for every eventuality. A delivered item will probably have received fairly rough handling in the post and so is unlikely to detonate through being moved, but any attempt at opening it may set it off. Unless delivered by courier, it is unlikely to contain a timing device. Delivered items come in a variety of shapes and sizes; a well-made one will look innocuous but there may be tell-tale signs.

• it is unexpected or of unusual origin or from an unfamiliar sender
  
• there is no return address or the address cannot be verified
  
• it is poorly or inaccurately addressed, e.g. incorrect title, spelt wrongly, title but no name or addressed to an individual no longer with the company the address has been printed unevenly or in an unusual way the writing is in an unfamiliar or unusual style
  
• there are unusual postmarks or postage paid marks
  
• a Jiffy bag, or similar padded envelope, has been used
  
• it seems unusually heavy for its size. Most letters weigh up to about 30g, whereas most effective letter bombs weigh 50–100g and are 5mm or more thick
  
• it has more than the appropriate value of stamps for its size and weight
  
• it is marked ‘personal' or ‘confidential'
  
• it is oddly shaped or lopsided
  
• the envelope flap is stuck down completely (a normal letter usually has an ungummed gap of 35mm at the corners)
  
• there is a pin-sized hole in the envelope or package wrapping
  
• there is any unusual smell, including but not restricted to almonds, ammonia or marzipan
  
• it has greasy or oily stains on the envelope
  
• there is an additional inner envelope and it is tightly taped or tied (however, in some organisations sensitive material is sent in double envelopes as standard procedure).

Although any suspect item should be treated seriously, remember that the great majority will be false alarms and a few may be hoaxes. Try to ensure that your procedures, while effective, are not needlessly disruptive. Take the following into account in your planning:

• seek advice from your local police on the threat and on defensive measures
  
• consider processing all incoming post and deliveries at one point only. This should ideally be off-site or in a separate building, or at least in an area that can easily be isolated and in which deliveries can be handled without taking them through other parts of the building
  
• make sure that all staff who handle post are briefed and trained. Include reception staff. Encourage regular correspondents to put their return address on each item
  
• ensure that all sources of incoming post (e.g. Royal Mail, couriers, hand delivery) are included in your screening process)
  
• ideally, post rooms should have independent air conditioning and alarm systems, as well as scanners and x-ray machines. Post rooms should also have their own washing and shower facilities, including soap and detergent
  
• staff need to be aware of the usual pattern of deliveries and to be briefed of unusual deliveries. Train them to open post with letter openers (and with minimum movement), to keep hands away from noses and mouths and always to wash their hands afterwards. Staff should not blow into envelopes or shake them.
  
• consider whether staff handling post need protective equipment such as latex gloves and face masks (seek advice from a qualified health and safety expert). Keep overalls and footwear available in case staff need to remove contaminated clothing
  
• make certain that post opening areas can be promptly evacuated. Rehearse evacuation procedures and route, which should include washing facilities in which contaminated staff could be isolated and treated
  
• prepare signs for display to staff in the event of a suspected or actual attack

Secure Your Fertiliser

Visit the Secure Your Fertiliser website if you're part of the farming and growing community. The website encourages people to

1. Think about the security of their fertilisers and
2. Do something about the security of their fertilisers.

There is various information on how to securely store fertiliser, why it should be secure, faqs and more.

To get the message across the country, the two UK manufacturers of fertiliser – Kemira and Terra have undertaken to start printing the logo (right) on their bags as well as including it on fertiliser invoices/delivery notes. It is anticipated that some of the main importers will soon follow suit.