Warning for pubs from counter terrorism chief
A counter terrorism chief has warned the pub industry to be on its guard against attack from terrorists.
DC Jim Maietta of the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) said that while there was no specific threat against pubs terrorists were clearly targeting crowded places.
Speaking at the National Pubwatch Conference in Coventry, Maietta quoted from an Al-Qaeda training manual which described "places of amusement, immorality and sin" as legitimate terrorist targets.
He urged licensees to be on their guard against suspicious behaviour and practise "good housekeeping" in their pubs. "Good housekeeping reduces the opportunity to plant suspect packages and bags and helps to deal with false alarms and hoaxes," Maietta told the 250 delegates at the event.
He advised licensees to:
- Review their use of litter bins
- Keep external areas, entrances and exits, stairs and receptions areas particularly clean and tidy
- Consider adding laminated glazing and anti-shatter film to windows
- To ensure emergency escapes are kept secure when not required.
Outgoing Pubwatch chairman Raoul de Vaux, who used to run the Red Lion pub, just metres from Downing Street in Central London, explained how he used to tie cable around toilet cisterns to ensure no-one could place anything inside, and how he made sure nothing could be hidden under seats.
De Vaux also warned that the threat was just as likely to come from lone terrorists - such as David Copeland, who attacked the Admiral Duncan in London's Soho in 1999 - as from other terrorists.
De Vaux, who is planning to retire to Spain, has been made honorary life vice chairman of National Pubwatch.
