09 September 2005
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair has warned all British local authorities that they must quickly develop emergency plans to combat terrorism and deal with the aftermath of a potential attack.
Speaking at a Local Government Association seminar on September 6, Blair said that Britain should expect further attacks by terrorists and that any local authority could be targeted.
He said that the Met, widely praised for its rapid response to the July 7 bombings in London, would help councils to develop plans to combat terrorism and deal with the aftermath of attacks.
'If you look back at the history of Al Qa'eda and Al Qa'eda affiliates… they have a particular affiliation with “postcard” sites, like the Twin Towers. But Al-Qa'eda have also attacked bars in Morocco, banks in Istanbul and nightclubs in Bali. There is nothing that says that the threat…will not affect any local authority in Britain.'
Asked how best to prepare, Blair drew on London's Emergency Plan, which was implemented effectively on July 7 and following the failed bombings on July 21.
He urged councils to fund a more visible presence on Britain's streets and backed their calls for a funding settlement that accommodates wider anti-terrorism measures, such as mass installation of CCTV cameras.
LGA chair Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart told Public Finance: 'It is clear from Sir Ian's address that we all need to invest more, but we need a proper settlement from government, otherwise the cost will fall almost entirely on council taxpayers.'
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