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National Threat Level Lowered to ‘Severe’
The Joint Terrorism Assessment Centre (JTAC) has lowered the UK threat level from CRITICAL to SEVERE. This means that future terrorist attacks are still highly likely, but no longer thought to be imminent. The decision has been made by JTAC based on a review of the latest intelligence.
The investigation into the recent terrorist attacks in London and Glasgow is continuing under the leadership of the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command, with the assistance of the Security Service.
Increased Threat Level: WMC RF Partner Message
As a result of recent events, the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre raised the national threat level from severe to critical on Saturday 30 June.
West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit continues to support the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command investigation into the incidents in Glasgow and London.
In line with the raising of the threat level, West Midlands Police has reviewed policing activity across the force area, including our airports, stations and key locations.
What this will look like to our communities is a visible increase in police officers patrolling our streets and at key locations, some of these officers may be armed.Our response is appropriate for a major city and informed by the increase in national security level rather than any specific threat to the West Midlands.Public safety is paramount and we appeal to all communities and partners to support us in our decisions and to remain calm and vigilant.
To support this, West Midlands Police have invoked Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 to stop and search any person or vehicle in order to prevent acts of terrorism.
This is a wide ranging power and only used in rare circumstances: recent events have highlighted the need for us to be prepared.
If a member of the public believes a vehicle or package to be suspicious, West Midlands Police would urge them not to approach it, contact the Police on 0845 113 5000, the Anti Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789321 or call 999 for emergencies.
You can obtain further more general advice on what to in the event of a Terrorist Incident by logging onto www.west-midlands.police.uk/terrorism.
Exercise Shoeshine Brushes Up Multi Agency Working
MOCK GAS EXPLOSION STAGED TO TEST EMERGENCY RESPONSE 
A gas explosion was simulated in Birmingham city centre to test the emergency response to a major incident. The emergency exercise took place on Sunday, May 13 at the Aston University Campus and was designed to test both the activation of individual agency plans and the way in which they worked together to co-ordinate and manage the response. Agencies involved in the exercise included West Midlands Fire Service, West Midlands Ambulance Service, West Midlands Police, Birmingham City Council, six hospitals across the Birmingham area and the Military. The scenario facing the emergency crews sent to the scene was a gas explosion at the Student’s Guild during a graduation event, leading to a serious fire, partial collapse of some areas of the building and around 150 casualties ranging from walking wounded to fatalities. Exercise Director Paul Wattling from West Midlands Fire Service, said: “The exercise went very well, we are very pleased. The job now is for all the agencies involved to review the day and then get back together to talk about what went well, what could be improved and the lessons that can be learnt. That process is vital in ensuring that our response to emergency situations is as effective as it can be. I would like to thank everyone who took part in the exercise and helped make it a success, including the emergency service crews, the staff from all of the agencies involved, and especially the Red Cross volunteers who acted as casualties, as this greatly contributed to the realism of the event.” Resources used during the emergency response included a new mobile multi-agency command centre supplied by the Military, 15 fire engines and support crews, including Urban Search and Rescue experts and a mobile laboratory for identifying chemicals, paramedics, police officers and a fleet of ambulances. Around 300 people were involved in the exercise in total. PC Keith James, in charge of West Midlands Police’s involvement in the exercise, said: “Events like these are crucial in testing how all the various agencies involved in a major incident work together. West Midlands Police rely on other partners to play a vital role in dealing with any emergency situation. Regular discussions with our partners, through groups such as the West Midlands Conurbation Resilience Forum (WMCRF), help us understand each other’s needs and how we can work together better. This preparation means that when we have an emergency situation we pull together to focus on the most important thing: saving lives.” Although led by West Midlands Fire Service, the exercise was organised in conjunction with the WMCRF, which brings together all the agencies that would be involved in responding to a major incident, with the aim of enhancing how the emergency planning and response organisations in the Conurbation work together.
West Midlands Fire Service
West Midlands Fire Service covers the seven Metropolitan districts of the region - Birmingham, Sandwell, Dudley, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Coventry and Solihull. It is run under the command of the Chief Fire Officer and his principal command team and provides emergency response from 40 strategically located fire stations, employing approximately 2,500 firefighters.
