Contingency plans for Wembly, Twickenham and Tiger Tiger

Between 2000 and 2007 large-scale ‘live’ counter terrorist (CT) exercises were run at major strategic, economic and environmentally valuable sites in and around the capital. These included Wembley stadium, Twickenham stadium, the Thames Barrier, City Airport and Littlebrook Power Station.

The exercises required considerable pre-planning work including liaising with the sites, analysing their business and assessing the risks by conducting health and safety checks and basic risk assessments.

Prior to the exercise the organisations’ contingency strategy and business continuity plans were critically evaluated and any shortfalls identified. Advice and scenarios were then worked through to offer realistic and effective solutions. The ‘live’ CT exercise offered the best possible opportunity to test and adjust the plans in a realistic environment.

After having conducted the CT exercises the business location and management were always much better prepared for such an incident. Their infrastructure was better able to deal with the additional and extraordinary demands made of it.

Following the Bali Bombings in October 2002 ‘Nationally Specific’ bars, restaurants and clubs in London were visited to give advice regarding terrorist attacks and target hardening information. The clubs were also given a basic training package for their staff. One of the venues visited was the ‘Tiger Tiger’ club, in Haymarket, near Piccadilly Circus, London where the company implemented some of the security advice they were given in 2002. It is believed that this had a direct impact on the failed bombing attempt on the 29th June 2007 when a controlled explosion was carried out on a car, packed with 60 litres of petrol, gas cylinders and nails, near the ‘Tiger Tiger’ club.