Emergency services and counter terrorism units have carried out a large-scale multi-agency exercise testing the response to a simulated terrorist incident on a cross-channel ferry, according to Counter Terror cops.
The exercise took place on 14 and 15 January at the Port of Poole in Dorset and involved several hundred participants from local and national organisations. It was coordinated by Counter Terrorism Policing South West working alongside Counter Terrorism Policing South East, both part of the national Counter Terrorism Policing network. The scenario was designed to test how police and partner agencies would respond to complex and fast-moving incidents both onshore and offshore.
This included the involvement of ambulance and fire and rescue services, which have key roles in the response to major terrorist incidents. Police said the exercise was not linked to any specific threat or intelligence. Instead, it formed part of a routine national programme aimed at testing preparedness and improving coordination between agencies.
Regional Assistant Chief Constable Andy Hill, speaking on behalf of Counter Terrorism Policing South West, said: “Exercises like this take place regularly across all emergency services and are a crucial way of testing the response that would be required in the event of a major incident such as a terrorist attack.”
He added: “Not only do exercises help us all understand each other’s roles, they also provide an opportunity to identify learning, which can then be adopted to strengthen our response and ensure we provide the best possible protection to our communities.”
Dorset Police Assistant Chief Constable Steve Lyne said hosting the exercise provided valuable training for all organisations involved.
“This type of training is an integral part of policing and ensures we deliver an immediate and robust response to a major incident with our partners,” he said.
He added: “Simply put, this is about protecting the public with a strong and dynamic response that helps us to protect life.”
Poole Harbour Commissioners said the port environment provided a realistic setting to assess coordination and communication during a major incident.
Captain Brian Murphy, Chief Executive Officer of Poole Harbour Commissioners, said: “Hosting an exercise of this scale enabled partners to test coordination, communication, preparedness and response arrangements in a live port environment, while ensuring the continued safety of passengers, staff and harbour users.”
Brittany Ferries also took part in the exercise. Jo Bussell, the company’s UK Ports Director, said: “Taking part in training exercises supports our ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our passengers and crew members.”
Police reiterated that the UK terrorism threat level remains at substantial and encouraged the public to report anything that does not feel right through established national reporting channels.
