Recognising Suspicious Packages
Suspicious packages pose a significant security threat and can be used in terrorist attacks, criminal activities, or hoaxes. Security officers must be trained to identify, assess, and respond to potentially hazardous items effectively.
By understanding warning signs and correct response protocols, security personnel can prevent harm, protect the public, and ensure a coordinated emergency response.
1. Understanding Suspicious Packages
A suspicious package is an unattended, unknown, or unusual object that may contain explosives, hazardous substances, or other threats.
Common Locations for Suspicious Packages:
📌 Airports and public transport hubs
📌 Shopping centres and retail spaces
📌 Government buildings and office spaces
📌 Entertainment venues and sports stadiums
📌 Public bins, restrooms, and parking areas
2. How to Identify a Suspicious Package – The H.O.T. Protocol
Security officers can use the H.O.T. protocol to assess whether an item is potentially dangerous.
| H.O.T. Protocol | Meaning | Key Questions to Ask |
|---|
| HIDDEN | Has the package been deliberately concealed? | Is it placed in an unusual location (e.g., behind a bin, under a seat, in a stairwell)? |
| OBVIOUSLY SUSPICIOUS | Does the package have wires, batteries, liquids, or unusual smells? | Does it appear tampered with, damaged, or leaking? |
| TYPICAL | Is the item out of place for its surroundings? | Would this object normally be found in this area (e.g., a backpack at a festival is normal, but at a corporate office it’s suspicious)? |
3. Immediate Actions When a Suspicious Package Is Found
If you identify a potentially dangerous package, follow these four critical steps:
1️⃣ Confirm – Assess If the Package Is Suspicious
🔹 Look for warning signs (exposed wires, unusual smells, ticking sounds, labels like “fragile” or “do not open”).
🔹 Ask people nearby if the package belongs to someone.
🔹 Do not touch, move, or open the item.
2️⃣ Clear – Evacuate & Secure the Area
🔹 Move people to a safe distance:
- Small package (briefcase size) – 100m evacuation zone.
- Larger items (backpacks, suitcases) – 200m clearance.
- Vehicles or large items – 400m evacuation distance.
🔹 Ensure line of sight is broken – Move people behind solid barriers (brick walls, concrete pillars, or metal structures).
🔹 Avoid standing near windows, glass doors, or open spaces.
3️⃣ Communicate – Inform Authorities & Security Teams
🔹 Contact your supervisor and the police (999) immediately.
🔹 Do NOT use radios or mobile phones within 15m of the package (some explosives may be triggered by signals).
🔹 Provide accurate details:
- Location and description of the package.
- Any suspicious individuals seen near it.
- Time the package was first noticed.
4️⃣ Control – Prevent Access to the Area
🔹 Cordon off the area to prevent public access.
🔹 Guide people to safe evacuation points.
🔹 Keep eyewitnesses nearby to provide information to authorities.
🚨 These steps ensure public safety and allow authorities to investigate the threat.
💡 These threat levels can change based on intelligence reports, global incidents, and national security assessments.
🔗 Stay updated on the latest UK threat levels via MI5’s Official Website.
4. Security Officer Response: Invacuation vs. Evacuation
Security officers must be prepared to respond to terror threats quickly and effectively.
How to React in a Terrorist Attack:
🚨 Evacuate & Secure the Area – Move people to safety and prevent access.
🚨 Call 999 Immediately – Report the location, number of attackers, and weapons used.
🚨 Do Not Engage the Attacker – Leave the response to trained law enforcement.
🚨 Follow Emergency Protocols – Alert supervisors and security teams.
🚨 Assist Authorities – Provide any CCTV footage or eyewitness reports.
4. Summary – Security Officers’ Role in Terrorism Prevention
Security officers must decide whether to evacuate or lock down (invacuate) a site based on the threat level and location.
| Response Option | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|
| Invacuation (Lockdown) | Keeps people inside a secure location, away from the threat. | If the attacker enters, exit options may be limited. |
| Evacuation | Allows people to leave the danger zone quickly. | Risk of exposing people to secondary threats outside. |
5. Reporting Suspicious Packages to Authorities
Proper reporting ensures that security teams and law enforcement can respond effectively.
How to Report a Suspicious Package:
📌 Non-Urgent Cases: Call the UK Anti-Terrorism Hotline (0800 789 321) or 101.
📌 Immediate Threats: Call 999 and provide:
- Location of the package.
- Size, shape, and color of the item.
- Any suspicious features (wires, leaks, smells).
6. Best Practices for Preventing Suspicious Package Threats
Security officers can reduce the risk of suspicious packages by implementing preventative security measures.
Proactive Security Measures:
🔹 Increase Patrols in High-Risk Areas – Monitor entry points, public spaces, and restricted zones.
🔹 Enforce Bag Checks at Entry Points – Screen visitors for unauthorized objects.
🔹 Train Staff to Identify Suspicious Behavior – Watch for individuals leaving bags unattended.
🔹 Use CCTV Monitoring to Detect Abandoned Items – Keep track of high-risk zones.
🔹 Secure Waste Bins & Public Storage Areas – Prevent bomb placement in concealed locations.
💡 Preventative action helps security teams identify threats before they escalate.
