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Guidance

A bomb threat is a threat to detonate an explosive or incendiary device to cause property damage, death, or injuries.

This information is intended for when at work.

Treat threats as genuine.

Bomb threats can be received through one or more channels:

– phone

– letter

– electronic

Threat received by Phone 

Stay calm and listen carefully

Keep the caller on the line for as long as possible

Take notes on exactly what the caller tells you

Take notes on the caller’s tone, language anything usual to remember them by

Record any phone numbers on the caller ID

If practical, keep the caller talking and alert a colleague to dial emergency services

Do not hang up the phone, place it on MUTE

Make notes of any background noises

Notify a line manager at the earliest opportunity.

Your organization will contact emergency services, detailing x5W (Who, What, When, Why, Where) and x1H (How)

DO NOT evacuate immediately. Await instructions from police.

Threat received by Letter

If you receive a bomb threat by post, switch your cell phone to ‘Airplane mode.’ This reduces the risk of the cell phone acting as a trigger.

Avoid further handling a letter or parcel

Take a photograph of the letter

Take photographs of the envelope or parcel without touching it.

Notify a line manager at the earliest opportunity.

Cordon off the area to prevent accidental handling of the letter or parcel.

Your organization will contact emergencies services, detailing x5W (Who, What, When, Why, Where) and x1H (How)

Supply to authorities any photographs of the letter or parcel.

DO NOT evacuate immediately. Await instructions from police.

Threat received Electronically

If a threat is received electronically, note how it was received i.e. email.

Notify a line manager and your IT department at the earliest opportunity.

Your organization will contact emergency services, detailing x5W (Who, What, When, Why, Where) and x1H (How)

DO NOT evacuate immediately. Await instructions from police.