GRIFFIN GOES NATIONAL


“We want to deliver a message to the staff of the partners who work with us that responsibility for helping to combat terrorism lies with each and every one of us. We do this at the Awareness Days, whilst providing them with the tools and knowledge that they need.” Superintendent David Roney, BTP


Following its successful launch in the City of London, the decision was taken to extend Project Griffin to other forces. Initially five areas were selected – the North East, Manchester, Dorset, South Wales and Avon & Somerset. The first event outside London was in Bournemouth in late 2005.


Manchester joined the project in March 2006 and Strathclyde soon after. With a foothold in Scotland, Griffin spread to other forces in the country, including Grampian and Lothian & Borders. Gatwick became the first airport to run an event, followed by Bristol, East Midlands and Leeds/Bradford International.


It became evident early on that the project 05


had to be flexible, and that what was suitable for the City of London was not necessarily appropriate for other areas. This bespoke aspect has become one of the Project Griffin selling points: individual forces are encouraged to tailor the Awareness Days to suit their own area’s requirements.


British Transport Police (BTP) has adapted this national programme to focus specifically on the railway industry and has recently run a series of Awareness Days for Heathrow Express staff. Attendees are given essential information and guidance on counter- terrorism, covering everything from recommended security precautions to possible methods of attack and recognising, reporting and reacting to suspicious activity.


Griffin in numbers


• Approximately 10,000 people have attended Project Griffin events since 2004


• All 43 police forces in the UK now hold Griffin sessions


• At least 50 City of London businesses support the project


• 95% of attendees have given Griffin training sessions a very high satisfaction score


• There have been up to 1,500 Griffin bridge calls over the past decade, at least 500 of those in the City of London, 500 in Dorset, 100 in Manchester and 100 in Strathclyde


• More than 2,000 tabards and up to 10,000 apel pins have been produced


• Griffin-trained guards have submitted more potential hostile reconnaissance reports to the City of London Police than any other group has.


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