Bomb Threat and Suspicious Item Procedures
A half day course for managers, supervisors and security teams on what to do when a bomb threat is received or a suspicious item is found. Delegates learn how to handle a threat call, assess the risk, plan and carry out a search, and decide whether to evacuate, invacuate or carry on, in line with government guidance.
Course Overview
Most bomb threats are hoaxes, but every one has to be taken seriously and handled well. A rushed evacuation can put people in more danger, and a threat that is ignored can be catastrophic. The people who make that call are usually a duty manager or security supervisor, often with very little time and no training.
This course gives them a clear, practised process. It covers how threats are made, how to take a threat call and use the government bomb threat checklist, how to assess the threat and who to tell, and the HOT principles and four Cs (confirm, clear, communicate, control) for suspicious items.
Delegates then learn how to plan and carry out a search of your premises, how to set safe cordons, and how to decide whether to evacuate, invacuate or continue, using your own site plans. The course finishes with short scenarios so delegates practise making those decisions under pressure.
This is one of our emergency procedures services: Tabletop Exercises, Evacuation Drills, Invacuation and Lockdown, Bomb Threat and Suspicious Item Procedures, Multi Agency Live Exercises and Debriefs and Lessons Identified. If you need the plans themselves written or reviewed, see our Emergency Plans consultancy.
About the Trainer
Certified by 1705 Consultancy and delivered by former emergency services staff who have planned, run and taken part in real incidents and exercises. 1705 Consultancy also writes emergency plans and provides event command and safety management on live events, so we know what a plan needs to do when it is tested for real.
Frequently Asked Questions
Duty managers, supervisors, security and control room staff, and anyone who may take a threat call or be asked to decide what happens next, such as reception and switchboard teams.
Yes. The course is based on published UK protective security guidance, including the bomb threat checklist and the HOT principles and four Cs for suspicious items.
Yes. Delegates learn how to plan and carry out a search using your own site plans, who should search, what to look for and what to do if something is found.
Deciding whether to evacuate or invacuate is central to the procedures Martyn’s Law requires. This course trains the people who will make that decision. See also our Invacuation and Lockdown and Evacuation Drills.
The course is certified by 1705 Consultancy and delivered by former emergency services staff.
£895 + VAT for a half day session at your site for up to 16 staff. Includes travel in Essex and the surrounding counties. Travel elsewhere in the UK is quoted separately.
What Delegates Will Learn
- How bomb threats are made and how to assess them
- How to handle a threat call using the government checklist
- The HOT principles and the four Cs for suspicious items
- How to plan and carry out a search of your premises
- How to set safe cordons and manage the scene
- How to decide whether to evacuate, invacuate or continue
Who Is This Course For?
- Duty managers and supervisors
- Security officers and control room staff
- Reception and switchboard teams who may take a threat call
- Venue, event and facilities managers
- Schools, colleges and universities
- Retail, hospitality and public buildings
- Duration Half day
- Level Managers, supervisors and security teams
- Delivery At your site, UK wide
- Delivered by Former emergency services staff
- Price £895 + VAT per group of up to 16
- Certificate 1705 Consultancy certificate
Upcoming course dates
No open dates are scheduled right now. We also run this course on site for teams.
Ask about dates
Ready to book?
Tell us how many people need training and where, and we will come back to you within one working day with dates and a price.