Anti-terror officers, firefighters and paramedics held an exercise to test their response to a terror bombing at a fictional concert.
Volunteers played the role of injured concertgoers caught up in the fictional blast carried out at a disused terminal in Heathrow.
Exercise Crystal Peak, which took place over two days and involved more than 200 people, tested the multi-agency response to an improvised explosive device blowing up and injuring fans at a fictional music concert at a stadium venue.
Commander Ade Adelekan said: “Whilst the exercise was not designed with any specific threat in mind, sadly, previous attacks such as those we’ve seen in Manchester and Paris show that this kind of scenario at a busy entertainment venue is a real possibility.
“Exercises like this test how our blue-light services respond to this type of incident, ensure the plans we have in place are fit for purpose, and identify where we might improve. They also give our officers and staff invaluable experience to respond in a live-play scenario under pressure with real sights, sounds and smells, so that they are in the best position to respond effectively should the worst ever happen for real.”
The exercise scenario began on Saturday November 26 and took place at a disused terminal building at Heathrow airport.
The scenario itself was not related to the aviation setting, but the venue was chosen because it had enough space to test the response in as “realistic a way as possible, without causing disruption to the public”, police said.
Commander Adelekan added: “The overall terrorism threat level in the UK remains at ‘substantial’. We know that we cannot afford to let up in our efforts to prevent or thwart terrorist attacks, and equally, to be fully prepared to respond should one happen. I am extremely grateful for the support Heathrow airport has given us by once again, allowing the use of their building.
“This work is vitally important for all of us, including the public, who have a really important role to play by remaining vigilant. Please do get in touch if you see or hear anything that doesn’t feel right. You won’t ruin anybody’s life by doing so, but you could just help save lives.”
