WIREDGOV

A project aimed to offer good practice counter terrorism advice to hotel staff to enable them to deal with the threat of a terrorist attack has been launched by the Home Office.

Project Argus Hotels helps hotels to not only prevent terrorist attacks but also to handle their response should it happen and recover from it afterwards.

A spokesperson in the Office for Security and Counter Terrorism (OSCT) which funded the project, said “The initiative encourages hotels to develop their own bespoke counter terrorism security plan.

“Argus uses a multimedia simulation of a terrorist attack to prompt discussions in syndicate groups with expert good practice advice on hand so each hotel can think about what response is right for them.

“This could include what action to take in the event of a terrorist attack, such as how to use available communication channels to tell staff and guests what is happening, use of available security measures, such as areas protected by secured strong doors, and the best place to evacuate people to.”

Project Argus Hotels – which helps deliver within the PROTECT and PREPARE strands of the Government’s CONTEST counter terrorism strategy – was launched at Grosvenor House Hotel in London on Thursday 10th September by Lord West. The event included a closing address by the former secretary of the US department of homeland security, Michael Chertoff. The launch event has resulted in significant interest in the project Argus Hotels exercise amongst hotel representatives and the exercise will be rolled-out to the hotels sector in October.

Andy Williams, regional security director at Marriott Hotels International Ltd, said: ‘Project Argus is a breakthrough initiative for public and private sector partnership. As an industry, the hotel sector is keenly awaiting this launch. Its quality, innovation and substance will definitely enhance both our security and crisis management capability.’

Developed by the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO), Project Argus already exists for retail and the night-time economy. This is the latest package aimed at crowded places business sectors and follows work to assess the implications of attacks in Mumbai last year. Project Argus is also currently in development for the health and education sectors. See the NaCTSO (new window) website for more information.