New advice to Australian public in case of terror attack
The message “escape, hide, tell” will be beamed on to screens at crowded places and major venues in Australia during public events so people know what to do in case of a terror attack.
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Australians will be told to “escape, hide and tell” if they’re ever caught in a terror attack.
The public alert advice — which mimics the “run, hide, tell” message the UK’s Metropolitan Police issued during the deadly London Bridge attack in June 2017 — aims to save lives if armed attackers are on the loose.
It will be beamed on screens at crowded places and major venues so people know what to do if a terror attack eventuates.
Information will also be given to employers to use in safety training for workers.
A Home Affairs Department spokeswoman told the Herald Sun: “The Escape Hide Tell message informs the community and businesses about what to do in the unlikely event of a terrorist attack or other similar attack.’’
“The advice is particularly important in an attack using firearms, knives or other weapons,’’ she said.
Police forces and governments nationwide, through the Australia-New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee, helped develop the terror advice, adapted from messages used overseas.
It recommends people caught in an armed offender attack move quickly and quietly from danger if safe to do so, stay out of sight with their mobile phone on silent and dial triple-0 when safe.
Victoria Police spokeswoman Natalie Webster said: “In Victoria this messaging will be used to complement and enhance our existing community warning processes.
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“However it’s important to note that Escape, Hide, Tell is primarily about public education rather than a specific warning or alert during an active incident,” she said.
“Depending on the circumstances, the community could expect to see aspects of it incorporated into a range of public announcements and social media posts during an incident to give advice and direction to members of the public.’’
Parts of the message could be broadcast over Melbourne’s CBD loudspeakers in a terror attack but it would depend on the nature of the incident.
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The federal government ruled out any rollout in schools.
The Met Police’s “run, hide, tell” message is credited with saving lives after three terrorists drove a van into pedestrians on London Bridge before embarking on a stabbing spree, killing eight people including two Australians.
The US advises its citizens to “run, hide, fight” if caught in an active shooter situation.
Australia’s terror threat level is set at “probable”.