Leicester security operatives face realistic terror scenarios in nightclub exercise

Yesterday (Tuesday 17 May) Leicester's Mosh Nightclub was the scene of a set of simulated emergency exercises for the club's management, staff, and security team. The exercise saw the club's security operatives challenged by four realistic scenarios under the guidance of Leicestershire Police, Leicester Fire and Rescue Service and National Counter Terror Security Office. The initiative, which is part of the UK-wide Operation SENTRY, was led by the Security Industry Authority (SIA). Its purpose is to ensure preparedness in the unlikely event of a mass casualty event at a Leicester club.

The emergency exercise is designed for front line security operatives  to enable them to put into practiceACT Awareness e-learningas well as the newerACT Security e-learning. This free e-learning course was designed by government counter-terrorism experts from the National Counter Terrorism Security Office, the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure and the SIA. The custom-built training provides up-to-date counter-terrorism knowledge to help security professionals prepare for and respond to terrorist incidents whilst on duty. The counter-terrorism e-learning features specific drills that were showcased yesterday:

• mass stabbing (gang related knife attack)
• invacuation (external marauding terrorist attack)
• acid attack
• a suspect package 

This event is aimed to strengthen the resilience of Mosh Nightclub staff and to enable them to test their emergency plan. 

Ronnie Megaughin, Head of Compliance and Inspections, said:

"Putting Mosh Nightclub's security operatives into realistic terror scenarios is one of the best ways to prepare them in the event of a real-life incident. Security operatives may be the first people on the scene in an incident. Yesterday's staged terror incidents enable security operatives to take part and deal with the scenario, and then receive an instant debrief from counter-terror experts. We know fromexperience that operatives, and their managers, really appreciate what they learn from these events and find them worth their while. Any of these security staff could find themselves as the first responder at a serious incident, and this exercise could literally be the difference between life and death." 

Inderjit Singh, the SIA's Regional Investigator for the East Region, who is leading on the event, said:

"We're really pleased with the commitment that Mosh's security staff put into yesterday'sexercise. The main aim of exercises like this is to enhance public safety in Leicester's night-time economy by working with venues and security staff. It's also to showcase best practice by putting the Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) awareness e-learning package, which we've been recommending to all licensed operatives, into practice. I'd like to thank all of our partners and especially Mosh Nightclub for hosting yesterday's exercises to enhance public protection." 

This emergency planning exercise at Mosh Nightclub continues a programme of similar exercises and follows on from events in Chesterfield and London in autumn 2021 and Glasgow in April this year. A pilot event took place at Buxton in Derbyshire in October 2019.

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Notes to Editors:

1. By law, security operatives working under contract must hold and display a valid SIA licence. Information about the Private Security Industry Act 2001 is available online via: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2001/12/content

Further information:

The Security Industry Authority is the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry in the United Kingdom, reporting to the Home Secretary under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. The SIA's main duties are: the compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities; and managing the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme. 

For further information about the Security Industry Authority or to sign up for email updates visit:www.gov.uk/sia. TheSIA is also onFacebook (Security Industry Authority)andTwitter (@SIAuk). 

Media enquiriesonlyplease contact:

Security Industry Authority

0300 123 9869

media.enquiries@sia.gov.uk