London terror exercise planned - can we cope?
Discussion
A simulated terrorist attack will take place in central London in order to test the capital's emergency services, it was announced today.
The Home Secretary, David Blunkett, said in a written statement to MPs that the exercise would "take place shortly", but did not specify a date.
He said it would test "capabilities", such as mass evacuations and decontamination procedures.
"It will be possible to test whether all key stakeholders are appropriately engaged and working together," he said in the statement.
Other planned exercises will cover possible disruption to the national gas supply and flood defences.
MPs warned in a report last summer that Britain was ill-equipped to deal with a major terrorist attack. Lack of training for fire and ambulance crews in responding to chemical, biological or dirty bomb attack, and the military's role in a crisis, were cited as areas of concern.
The prime minister, Tony Blair, has said he is bombarded almost daily with intelligence about threats to the UK and British interests, and said it is "inevitable" that al-Qaida will attempt to attack.
The Home Office is to also launch an anti-terrorism website designed to give information to the public.
A spokesman said it would be designed to provide easily understandable advice on personal protection and include a "who's who" of terrorist organisations.
Mr Blunkett said the information would be of practical use in order to reassure the public.
"We are not in the business of rushing in to issue alarmist guidance which in practice does nothing to help ensure public safety," he said.
I shall be very interested in seeing the outcome of this.
The Home Secretary, David Blunkett, said in a written statement to MPs that the exercise would "take place shortly", but did not specify a date.
He said it would test "capabilities", such as mass evacuations and decontamination procedures.
"It will be possible to test whether all key stakeholders are appropriately engaged and working together," he said in the statement.
Other planned exercises will cover possible disruption to the national gas supply and flood defences.
MPs warned in a report last summer that Britain was ill-equipped to deal with a major terrorist attack. Lack of training for fire and ambulance crews in responding to chemical, biological or dirty bomb attack, and the military's role in a crisis, were cited as areas of concern.
The prime minister, Tony Blair, has said he is bombarded almost daily with intelligence about threats to the UK and British interests, and said it is "inevitable" that al-Qaida will attempt to attack.
The Home Office is to also launch an anti-terrorism website designed to give information to the public.
A spokesman said it would be designed to provide easily understandable advice on personal protection and include a "who's who" of terrorist organisations.
Mr Blunkett said the information would be of practical use in order to reassure the public.
"We are not in the business of rushing in to issue alarmist guidance which in practice does nothing to help ensure public safety," he said.
I shall be very interested in seeing the outcome of this.
Not a chance! **** me, they police in Manchester couldn't cope with one terrorist who they'd already arrested.
How do you think things will go if all hell broke loose in London. People running scared, rioting, dying, looting and panicking. This generation have never had a tough time, apart from the odd train crash.
But they will make it look like it will work for morale's sake and propaganda reasons.
Have you not seen the film, "28 Days Later" ?
How do you think things will go if all hell broke loose in London. People running scared, rioting, dying, looting and panicking. This generation have never had a tough time, apart from the odd train crash.
But they will make it look like it will work for morale's sake and propaganda reasons.
Have you not seen the film, "28 Days Later" ?
MPs warned in a report last summer that Britain was ill-equipped to deal with a major terrorist attack. Lack of training for fire and ambulance crews in responding to chemical, biological or dirty bomb attack, and the military's role in a crisis, were cited as areas of concern.
So why the f
k are we nearing on war with somewhere which is more than likely to use such attacks. Get your priorities right Blair you tw@t
Does anyone else agree with me when im worried about the government publicising these tests. Surely they should be doing them secretly? Why?
Say the government publicise that they're testing the outcome of an attack on the tube as has been talked about. Any terrorist group wouldn't bother attacking the tube as its been thought about and precautions would be in place. 9/11 caused catastophic damage due to the fact no-one predicted a terrorist using a passenger plane as a flying bomb.
I really hope the government are racking their brains to think of any possible terrorist attack. Just don't go and publish their findings in the Evening Standard! National Security and Need To Know basis should still exist.
Say the government publicise that they're testing the outcome of an attack on the tube as has been talked about. Any terrorist group wouldn't bother attacking the tube as its been thought about and precautions would be in place. 9/11 caused catastophic damage due to the fact no-one predicted a terrorist using a passenger plane as a flying bomb.
I really hope the government are racking their brains to think of any possible terrorist attack. Just don't go and publish their findings in the Evening Standard! National Security and Need To Know basis should still exist.
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