Police professional | Multi-agency exercise tests response to major terrorist incident

Multi-agency exercise tests response to major terrorist incident

West Yorkshire’s police, fire and ambulance services teamed up last week to test their joint emergency response to a marauding terrorist attack.

Exercise Midnight Belle was designed to provide a valuable opportunity to develop and strengthen emergency responses to manage major incidents and ensure clear lines of communication between everyone involved.

It tested participants from British Transport Police (BTP), West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Yorkshire Ambulance Service and Counter Terrorism Police North East (CTPNE) on their response to a major incident at Leeds station. Network Rail, train companies and Leeds City Council also took part in this multi-agency exercise.

Exercise Midnight Belle had a dual approach to replicating a large-scale incident. The live exercise began outside the station with an attack on pedestrians using a vehicle, before the driver and passenger entered the station with bladed weapons, causing numerous casualties. This phase saw the first intervention by emergency services on foot.

Another attacker then carried out a similar attack on a train arriving at Leeds station, after using an improvised explosive device. The situation then progressed to a train siege. Thanks to the skills of CTPNE negotiators and firearms officers, the threat was neutralized and those on board the train were taken to safety, allowing forensic teams to begin their initial investigations.

Construction chief inspector Tony McGhin said: “While these large-scale incidents are rare, it is important that we continue our regular testing and reviews to ensure we are as prepared as possible, especially more than the results of investigations – such as the Manchester Arena investigation – have been confirmed. produces important updates to our plans.

“Multi-agency responses to incidents like this are often complex and rapid. This exercise gave us an invaluable opportunity to test our response and communications to minimize harm to the public and effectively combat threats to public safety.

Jerry Dickinson, senior incident controller who led the organization of the exercise for Network Rail, said: “The need to test and exercise is fundamental. This helps our employees become more confident and supports our skills. It also demonstrates collaboration with multiple agencies which will be essential in the event of major incidents.

“The exercise successfully achieved our goals and objectives. A second day involving simulated strategic coordination groups also took place with agencies working together on business continuity and early recovery.

BTP said: “We would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding while these tests were carried out. We also thank the hundreds of volunteers who took on various roles to support this exercise, as well as the rapid relief team who provided refreshments and ensured everyone was taken care of during the exercise.

“The terrorist threat has not disappeared. The terrorist threat to the UK is significant, meaning an attack is likely. »