What you should do in the event of a terrorist attack, new strategy by UK explains

Experts are urging the government to include ‘run, hide, tell’ advice in the national curriculum, so children in school and college can learn what to do in the case of a terrorist attack.

Counter Terrorism Policing UK have launched a version of the safety advice for 11 to 16 years olds, which includes a ‘run, hide, tell’ emoji, as well as a video featuring the likes of TV star Bear Grylls, England footballer Jamie Vardy, and Olympian Jade Jones.

Police chiefs say giving this advice to children in classrooms could save lives, and hope it could be included in the national curriculum.

The campaign aimed at young people comes after a number of attacks in the UK this year, which included the tragic events after an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, where 22 people lost their lives – including seven children.

Met Deputy Assistant Commissioner Lucy D’Orsi, who’s the national policing lead for protective security, said that even though discussing terrorism with young people can be scary, it’s important to make them aware of the advice that could save their lives in the case of an attack.

‘The atrocities in London and Manchester have sadly resulted in some of the youngest victims of terror this country has ever seen, and if we are able to teach children to act in a way which could potentially save their lives then it is our responsibility to do so,’ she said.

She also urged everyone to not film terror attacks, and revealed authorities are concerned that it could keep them from running away from danger. 

‘We are particularly concerned when we see people – young and old – using their mobiles to film scenes when they should be moving away from the danger’, she said.

The experts’ warning to teach the safety advice to children follows official numbers from the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, who say they have received more 300 contacts from young people who are anxious about terrorism since April.

The head of helplines at the charity, John Cameron, said adults should listen to children’s concerns but reassure them that these occurrences are rare.

‘Although these conversations might be difficult, the spate of devastating events means that they cannot be brushed under the carpet and we all have a duty to help every child stay safe’, he said.

The campaign launch will be followed by a second, longer, video, designed to explain the ‘Run, Hide, Tell’ messaging, and also teach children how to spot and report suspicious behaviour or suspicious items.

Later phases of the campaign will then launch this messaging across youth groups such as the Scouts, Guides and Cadets, before finally being made part of the citizenship curriculum of formal education at schools and colleges.