As you’d like to hope, Parliament has about the best security and emergency planning of any place to work in the country.  This Guide can’t tell you everything (for security reasons of course!) but can point security-cleared staff in the right direction if you’d like more information on the procedures in place to keep our workplace safe.

There are well developed mechanisms to deal with all kinds of events, not only terrorist attacks, but incidents such as floods and fires of varying seriousness.

The main objective of these contingency plans is to ensure safety and security, and business continuity plans also exist to ensure that Parliament can continue to sit even if it’s not possible to do so in the Chambers.  It’s also very important that proceedings continue to be broadcast so that the public can see business carrying on as usual.

Every Member of Parliament and their staff, including constituency staff, must undergo annual mandatory training on Security Awareness, which can be accessed through the ACT learning portal.

Topics:

1. Threat Levels
2. What to do in the event of:
   1. Losing your pass;
   2. Suspect packages;
   3. Seeing something/someone suspicious;
   4. Receiving a bomb threat.
3. Contingency Planning and Business Continuity 
4. Personal Security
5. Communication
6. A Note on Security in Constituency Offices
7. Harassment or threats from constituents
8. And finally….
9. Useful links

1. Threat Levels

National Terrorism Threat Levels – decided by MI5 and the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre

• Low – an attack is unlikely
• Moderate – an attack is possible, but not likely
• Substantial – an attack is a strong possibility
• Severe – an attack is highly likely
• Critical – an attack is expected imminently (used after 2001 attacks on the US, 2005 London bombings and the attempted car bombings in London and at Glasgow airport in June and July 2007).

The annunciators will tell you what the current threat level is, as will the Intranet

You can view the annunciators online here: https://now.parliament.uk

Response Levels here in Parliament

• Normal – Routine protective security measures appropriate to the Parliamentary Estate
• Heightened – additional and sustainable protective security measures reflecting the broad nature of the threat to the Parliamentary Estate combined with specific vulnerabilities and judgements on acceptable risk
• Exceptional – Maximum protective security measures to meet specific threats and to minimise vulnerability and risk

2. What to do in the event of …..

Losing your pass – immediately report this to the Pass Office on x5920.  They will cancel it straight away to ensure it can’t be used by anyone else, and issue you a new pass.

While we’re on the subject of passes, always wear your pass in the Parliamentary precincts but take it off as soon as you leave the Estate and put it somewhere safe where it can’t be seen for the journey home.  Displaying your pass outside of the Parliamentary Estate could make you a target.

It is not permitted for anyone to work whilst on a visitor pass, not even an Intern awaiting security clearance.  Everyone must be security cleared before they start.

Suspect packages – Never ask people to address your post to your specific building or room number – always tell them to address it to House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA.

All packages are scanned off site before they arrive on the Estate, but all staff who are required to open mail in the course of their work should bear in mind the possibility of receiving dangerous items or substances.  In 2005, packages were detected addressed to Ministers in their Commons offices which turned out to contain a mixture of sugar and weed killer.  Look out for:

• grease marks on the envelope or wrapping
• an unusual odour
• visible wiring or tin foil
• if it feels very heavy for its size
• delivered by hand or from an unknown source, or posted from an unusual place
• excessive wrapping
• too many stamps for the weight of the package

In the event of receiving a suspicious package or letter:

• do not attempt to open it, bend it, squeeze it or tamper with it in any way
• do not place it in anything (including water) or cover it
• put it down gently on a dry, flat surface and walk away from it
• evacuate the immediate room or area and call security on x3333

Seeing something/someone suspicious – immediately contact security on x3333

Receiving a bomb threat –

• Do not put the handset down or cut off the conversation.
• If possible, try and alert someone else to alert Security Control while you stay on the line.
• Obtain as much information from the caller as you can and try and keep them on the line. For example, pretend it’s a bad line and ask the caller to speak up.
• Try to note down useful information such as the gender of the caller, their accent, any noise in the background, the start and end times of the call.  Try to remember as much of the message as possible and ask the following about the bomb threat – Where is it?  What time will it go off?  What does it look like?  What kind of bomb is it?  Who are you and why are you doing this?
• Once you’ve got information about the time and place, try to get as much detail about the caller as you can.

3. Contingency Planning and Business Continuity

There are plans in place to deal with all kinds of events, not just terrorist attacks but incidents such as floods and fires of varying seriousness.  The main objective of these contingency plans is to ensure safety and security.  Rehearsals for MPs, for example what to do in the event of a chemical attack in the Commons Chamber, take place every so often and you should encourage your MP to attend!

Business continuity plans are an even bigger job and are vital to ensure that Parliament can continue to sit even if it’s not possible to do so in the Chambers. There are temporary locations to which Parliament would reconvene if the Palace were to be unsafe, where facilities such as the Table Office and Vote Office could be set up.

It’s also very important that proceedings continue to be broadcast so that the public can see business carrying on as usual.

4. Personal Security

The Members’ Security Support Service in the Parliamentary Security Department is available to provide support and advice on personal security, social media security and security measures in constituency offices.  You can contact them on x2244 or at safe@parliament.uk.

5. Communication

In the event of an emergency, alerts will be shown on the annunciators, a prolonged division will ring and the voice-over system will give advice.  MPs will be paged, and email will be used for updates but not for immediate instructions.

6. A Note on Security in Constituency Offices

7. Harassment and Threats from Constituents

If you are being harassed by constituents the first thing to understand is that you are not alone.  Every MP’s office – and this has greatest significance for constituency office staff – suffers harassment from time to time.  We don’t mean the ‘normal’ day to day pressure of work; what we are talking about is threatening behaviour either by phone or by email or in person.

Don’t hesitate to seek the advice of your local Police on security measures.  It’s best to do this BEFORE any trouble starts so you are prepared when it does.

W4MP has a couple of guides with information you may find helpful and these are here:

https://w4mp.org/library/guides/researchguides/your-mp-basic-info/members-and-constituency-etiquette-vital-guide/, and
https://w4mp.org/library/guides/2010-guide-to-working-for-an-mp-for-new-staff/how-to-survive-your-first-ten-days-in-the-constituency-office/.  This one is a bit out of date but still very useful.

If you are still concerned, your first port of call is the Parliamentary Liaison and Investigation Team (PLAIT).  x 4955.  Read this next section NOW so you know what support is available.  Although a lot of the information is aimed at Members, it is entirely appropriate for their staff too.  Here it is:

INAPPROPRIATE COMMUNICATIONS OR HARASSMENT

It is part of the role of a Member of Parliament to deal with constituents’ problems, both in writing and face-to-face.  Members attract the attention of a range of people, including some with persistent grievances or strange personal causes and some of whom are mentally ill.  Most such individuals cause no problems and are unlikely to constitute more than a nuisance.  However, Members are occasionally troubled by more threatening or intrusive attentions from people which cause anxiety or concern.  In some cases, this amounts to persistent harassment.

The Fixated Threat Assessment Centre (FTAC) was established to assist with these issues.  It is a joint Police-NHS unit which specialises in the assessment and management of people who engage in inappropriate or intrusive contacts towards public figures.  It offers specialist assistance, intervention and support to Members, in collaboration with the Serjeant-at-Arms and the Palace of Westminster Police.

GETTING SUPPORT FROM THE FTAC

The FTAC will consider cases where intrusive behaviour is causing particular concern or distress or is perceived as harassing or threatening.  Potential cases for FTAC should be discussed with Parliamentary Liaison and Investigation Team (PLAIT).  x 4955

Constituency offices are encouraged to maintain a good relationship with their local Police as they can often provide them with security advice that is tailored to their needs, taking into account any local threats.

8. And finally ….

Please remember that security is a matter for all of us.  If you see someone or something suspicious, contact the police or security staff.  Better a well intentioned mistake than ignoring something potentially disastrous.

Make sure you get a House of Commons Emergency Card – you can get one from the Pass Office.  It shows the Emergency Information Telephone Number which, in the event of an emergency, will issue a recorded message of advice which will be constantly updated as the situation changes.  There is also a website which will be activated in the case of emergency, to which you can log in for advice and updates.  General emergency advice and procedures can be found here: https://intranet.parliament.uk/access-buildings/evacuation-emergencies/emergencies/

In the event of an emergency, DO NOT report or even mention it on social media – you could endanger others by doing so.

Last, but not least, the security staff are here to ensure our safety and so please be nice and polite to them, especially at times of heightened security measures when getting in and out of the buildings can take a bit longer.

9. Useful links:

• Security Advice
• Security Advice for Members, including:
  • MPs’ personal safety away from the Parliamentary Estate
  • Harassment, stalking and social media abuse advice
  • House of Lords Members’ personal safety away from the Parliamentary Estate
  • Cyber security advice for Parliamentarians
  • Protect Yourself Guide to personal security NaCTSO
  • Personal security guidance CPNI booklet
  • For advice on dealing with fixated individuals; Running a safe surgery
• Commons Access and Security Leaflet
• The Suzy Lamplugh Trust has lots of useful information on personal safety and can also offer training and advice.
• HollieGuard is a free app for your smartphone.  If you are In danger, a simple shake or tap activates Hollie Guard, immediately notifying your chosen contacts, pinpointing your location
  and sending audio and video evidence directly to their mobile phones.

This note has been prepared with the assistance and approval of the Parliamentary Security Department.