Security staff join fight against terrorism

Date published: 06 April 2006

Security staff in Rochdale are joining the fight against terrorism as part of Project Griffin.

This project aims to raise awareness among security personnel about counter-terrorism measures so that they are better equipped to deal with their organisation’s security challenges on a day-to-day basis and in the event of a major incident.

On Friday March 31, representatives from the security industry attended a one-day seminar to find out more about the Griffin awareness programme and how it could benefit them and their organisation.  As a result, thousands of security employees are to take part in the project.

Project Griffin consists of three strands; the first is an awareness day, including inputs on the current terrorist threat, explosives, terrorist planning and cordon management.  The second involves a weekly conference call for those companies who sign up to the scheme, where the police will provide them with current threat levels, crime trends and inform them what action is needed.  The third stage involves Griffin registered security staff supporting the police, during a major incident by helping to manage cordons.

Detective Inspector Mark Smith of Greater Manchester Police’s Counter-terrorist Security Unit said: “Nearly every terrorist attack requires a great deal of planning and preparation.  Therefore, the security industry can play a crucial part in helping us to defeat terrorism, as they are well placed to acts as eyes and ears for any suspicious activity.

“We are extremely pleased local security personnel have pledged their support to Project Griffin, as with their help we can ensure Greater Manchester is a hostile environment for terrorist activity and in turn, a safer place.”

The City of London Police and the Metropolitan Police Service in conjunction with the security industry jointly launched Project Griffin in 2004.  Currently, up to 3,000 security personnel across the capital have attended the awareness days with the project now being rolled out by forces across the UK.

Anyone who is interested in finding out more information about Project Griffin in Greater Manchester is asked to email: ctsa@gmp.police.uk