Counter terrorism police announce ground-breaking insurance initiative

Chief Inspector Paul Howell, from the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) will brief leaders from across the UK and global insurance industry at a briefing in London on the joint police, Home Office and Treasury initiative that has been agreed with Pool Re insurers, which from October is offering companies that are actively engaged in the Crowded Places Programme the chance to apply for a Loss Mitigation Credit (LMC).

The LMC applies to businesses and organisations that are putting in place mitigation measures and security improvements to protect public sites and venues from terrorist attack.

This means that if companies and organisations that own commercial sites across the UK - including places like shopping centres, hotels, pubs, sports stadia or cinemas - actively engage in the Crowded Places programme, then they will now be eligible to apply for this financial incentive in the autumn.

In 2014 officers from NaCTSO developed and introduced an innovative assessment tool - ‘Protective Security Improvement Activity’ - that companies and sites can use to review and improve their security arrangements against terrorist attacks.

The PSIA is the mechanism now being used to ensure a consistent, national and auditable approach by those engaged in the Crowded Places Programme and its introduction has paved the way for this insurance benefit to become a reality.

Specialist Counter Terrorism Security Advisors, located in every police region, and NaCTSO are already working with owners and operators across hundreds of sites to give practical advice and guidance to detect, deter or reduce the impacts of a terrorist attack.

National police lead for counter terrorism, Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said:

"This scheme is an excellent example of the police and private sectors working closely together to keep people safe from the threat of terrorism.
 
“The Crowded Places scheme provides security improvements for businesses and their customers at their premises.
 
“It is a testament to its effect that they can benefit financially from reduced insurance costs.” 

Security Minister John Hayes said:

“Under the Counter Terrorism Strategy, the Government works with the private sector to improve security arrangements at hundreds of busy locations across the UK.

“I welcome this scheme, which will ensure that site owners who take appropriate steps to mitigate risks can be rewarded for their responsible action to keep the public safe.”

Additional information:

+ Chief Inspector Paul Howell, a Senior Counter Terrorism specialist from the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) has led on the national development, delivery, verification and application of terrorism insurance “Loss Mitigation Credit” with Pool Re. Paul will be briefing leaders of the UK and global insurance industry at the ‘Insurance Day’ Silver Briefing event entitled: Monitoring your exposure to terrorism and political risk in an increasingly hazardous world on Monday, 15 June in London.

+ The threat to the UK from international terrorism remains at SEVERE, an attack is highly likely.

+ The UK has an internationally recognised Counter-Terrorism Strategy,  ‘CONTEST’ which aims to reduce the risk to the UK from terrorism, so that people can go about their lives freely and with confidence.  It is regularly reviewed and refreshed in order to ensure that we can respond to the ever changing threat that international terrorism presents.

+ CONTEST brings together the police, a number of Government departments and partner organisations to undertake this work, which is co-ordinated by the Office for Security and Counter Terrorism in the Home Office. You can read the strategy and more about this work at https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/protecting-the-uk-against-terrorism

+ Crowded places include visitor attractions, shopping centres, sports stadia, bars, pubs and clubs. They remain an attractive target for terrorists who have demonstrated they are likely to attack places that are easily accessible and which offer the prospect of impact beyond the loss of life alone.

+ Through CONTEST, work is ongoing to improve protective security and preparedness for crowded places sites. The Government has ensured that site owners and operators have access to high-quality advice and guidance, provided by the police and others, so they know what steps to take to reduce vulnerability to, and prepare for, terrorist attack.

+ Public vigilance, the work of the police, and of the security and intelligence agencies all contribute to make crowded places safer, as does other work under CONTEST such as reducing terrorist access to explosive precursors.

++ National Counter Terrorism Security Office ++

+ The National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) is a police unit that supports the 'Protect and Prepare' strands of the Government’s Counter Terrorism Strategy.

+ NaCTSO supports a network of around 170 counter terrorism security advisors (CTSAs) who work within local police forces as officers and staff. Their primary role is to provide help, advice and guidance on all aspects of counter terrorism protective security to specified industry sectors.

+NaCTSO provides the help, advice and guidance to government and industry to protect from terrorist threat to :

- crowded places throughout the UK;

- hazardous sites and dangerous substances;

- the Critical National Infrastructure (working with the Centre for Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI)

For more information visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/national-counter-terrorism-security-office/about

++ Treasury and Pool Re ++

Pool Re is a reinsurer set up by the UK Government and the insurance industry to ensure that insurance cover can continue to be offered by insurers for damage caused by acts of terrorism in the UK. It is a public/private partnership and is owned by its Members but underpinned by an unlimited Government guarantee.