Hazardous materials
Individuals and groups continue to aspire to attack the UK and our ways of life, many have resorted to the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to achieve their aims. In the UK the robust security regime that is applied to both commercial and military explosives means that terrorists have been forced to either make their own or to smuggle them in from abroad. In fact, over 90% of terrorist attacks in the UK have used Home Made Explosive (HME).
These devices can take many forms and in recent times have featured various interpretations of home-made explosive (HME), often based around commonly used chemicals such as Hydrogen Peroxide. These basic chemicals used in the production of HME are referred to by the police and security services as ‘Precursor Chemicals’.
NaCTSO has worked closely with trade associations such as the Chemical Business Association (CBA) and the Chemical Industries Association (CIA) to highlight the potential for misuse of these chemicals. Together we have developed and introduced a series of measures, aimed at all levels of business, to raise awareness about the threat and improve the security of chemicals in the workplace. We have also encouraged businesses to be more aware of their customer and visitor profiles, in terms of payment methods, delivery addresses, amounts or combinations of materials or significant changes to an established customer profile.
Whilst the vast majority of terrorist attacks both in the UK and overseas have employed explosives against the intended targets, concern that terrorists might use chemical, biological and radioactive (CBR) materials as weapons has increased steadily. Al Qaeda and related groups have expressed a sustained interest in using CBR materials.
Much of the CBR-related activity seen to date has either been criminal, or has involved hoaxes and false alarms. There have so far only been a few examples of attacks using CBR materials. The most notable were the 1995 sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway, which killed 12 people, and the 2001 anthrax letters in the United States, which killed five people.
As a result of the anthrax attacks in the US in autumn 2001, the British Government introduced legislation intended to enhance the security of certain pathogens and toxins held within the UK. NaCTSO holds the responsibility for the implementation of this legislation which it achieves through the Counter Terrorism Security Adviser network (CTSAs).
In November 2006 Al Qaida operative Dhiren Barot was sentenced to a minimum of 30 years imprisonment after admitting a plot to attack UK and US targets using a 'dirty bomb' containing radioactive material and improvised gas-filled devices placed within limousines.
In January 2006 a new regulatory regime for the security of radioactive material was introduced. This legislation has been replaced (in England and Wales) by the Environmental Permitting Regulations (England and Wales) 2010 but NaCTSO and CTSAs remain the site security advisers to the Environment Agency, Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Chief Radiochemical Inspector within the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.
The likelihood of a CBR attack remains low, largely due to the difficulty of obtaining the materials and the complexity of using them effectively. Where terrorists have tried to carry out CBR attacks, they have generally been small scale incidents using relatively simple materials.
Project Revise
The use of chemicals within industry and as ingredients in commercially available products is very widespread and extremely diverse. The dual use of some of these chemicals in the manufacture of home made explosives (HME) is well documented and there are numerous examples of attacks around the world perpetrated with improvised explosive devices incorporating hazardous materials.
One of the recommendations of the Lord West review of the UK government’s CONTEST strategy was to highlight this potential misuse of hazardous materials to those who legitimately and routinely use them. The academic community is specifically mentioned and the intention is to raise their awareness about the potential threat these materials present. The task to produce an awareness raising product for delivery to the academic sector was appointed to NaCTSO and is called ‘REVISE’.
The REVISE event is a structured multi-media package which is now being facilitated by the locally based Counter Terrorism Security Advisers (CTSAs) at individual higher education institutions across the UK. CTSAs are working closely with their university colleagues to identify and encourage the implementation of policies, procedures and appropriate protective security measures to reduce the unauthorised access to hazardous materials and so reduce the overall threat.
If you require further information about the REVISE package or would like to arrange an event please contact your local police CTSA using the links on this website or call the NaCTSO office on 0207 931 7142.