Policing during a crisis: London terrorist attacks in 2017
The terrorist attacks in London during 2017 were a watershed moment for UK policing. They marked a significant shift in the impact and tempo of the terrorist threat to the public and to national security. This pressure has not been felt by counter-terrorism policing at any time before or since, with...
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| Format: | Print Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2025
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| In: |
Routledge international handbook of policing crises and emergencies
Year: 2025, Pages: 343-352 |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Summary: | The terrorist attacks in London during 2017 were a watershed moment for UK policing. They marked a significant shift in the impact and tempo of the terrorist threat to the public and to national security. This pressure has not been felt by counter-terrorism policing at any time before or since, with the threat being ‘any time and any place without warning’. Not only did these tragic events have a profound impact on the public and the police officers who responded to and investigated them, but they also signalled a period of intense pressure for policing nationally, both operationally and in terms of public confidence and media attention. The increase of the national threat level to ‘critical’ in May and September 2017 highlights this fact. This chapter will explore the Westminster Bridge, London Bridge, and Parsons Green terrorist attacks to examine how the police responded to the attacks and worked to prevent further attacks. This encompasses the risk mitigation processes put in place to stop copycat attacks based on the threat methodology at that time, together with the amplification of protective security advice and messaging to the public, and engagement with industry and businesses through a ‘Dare 2 Share’ model. Westminster Bridge (March) saw a lone actor targeting a crowded area and the Houses of Parliament with a vehicle and knife, resulting in the death of five persons. The London Bridge attack (June) saw a vehicle-and-knife-enabled attack at a crowded place by three individuals, resulting in the loss of eight lives. The Parsons Green attack (September) involved an IED placed by an individual on a crowded London Underground tube train. The circumstances of each attack highlight the challenges facing policing in responding to future attacks, as no sooner are protective security measures put in place to counter one methodology or target that a new methodology or target area is used. In the context of the preceding text, the chapter will focus on three key areas: Resilience and accountability. Demands placed upon the police during these events and scale. Included here are the authors’ personal experiences of reacting in the immediate aftermath (i.e. during ‘the crisis’). For example, reference will be made to the installation of security barriers at major bridges immediately after the London Bridge attack. Reference will be made to this decision-making then being examined at the subsequent coronial inquests. Amplification of messaging. Ensuring security-minded communications to the public is accurate and relevant, with effective information sharing at a time of crisis and the need to remain calm and vigilant. Engagement with the private sector. Working with and alongside other agencies to develop new ways of working and new legislation, including the ‘Protect Duty’, ACT, and the development of our understanding of ‘crowded spaces’ through engagement with the business sector and ‘Dare 2 Share’. To conclude, this chapter will explore the potential future opportunities to prevent and deter terrorist attacks as well as multi-agency responses to terrorist incidents, referencing technology together with how organisational learning enables the creation of a hostile environment for terrorists and enables policing to get ahead of the curve to future threats. |
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| Item Description: | Literaturverzeichnis: Seite 351-352 |
| ISBN: | 9781032207872 |
