Author: Shed Coulthard

Date: June 2017

Newcastle University Bomb Threat Guidance

On Receipt of a Bomb Threat

Telephone Threat

Should you receive a telephone call indicating that an explosive device has been placed in your working environment you should:

  • Remain calm
  • Listen to the caller
  • Check to see if caller ID, on the phone you are using, has displayed the caller’s number and record it.
  • If you can, write down the exact words used by the caller.
  • Record as much information as possible such as:
  • Where the device is located?
  • What does the device look like?
  • What time is the device triggered to explode?
  • Why are you doing this?
  • Who are you?
  • Inform your Manager/Supervisor immediately
  • Call the Police and University Security
  • While things are fresh in your memory, record as much information as you can on the Bomb Threat form attached.
  • Attach any original notes to the form, the police will retain these as evidence.

Other threats

A threat to the University may not always be made via the telephone system. A letter, note or even social media may be used to deliver a Bomb Threat

  • If a paper copy is received:
  • Obtain all the relevant detail possible
  • Handle the paper as little as possible.
  • Retain any envelopes.
  • If possible place the paper into a clear plastic bag to protect against forensic loss
  • If an electronic threat is received
  • Do not delete, or move to another folder.
  • Do not respond
  • Do not open any attachments
  • Inform your Manager/Supervisor without delay.

Evacuation

Instant total evacuation may not always be the best course of action:

  • Consider who knows your building and may be able to identify the unusual, amongst the usual. The police will need that information.
  • Is a bag, in reception, normally thought of as suspicious? Why now?
  • A search of your building may negate the threat.

Apply the five C’s

Confirmthe exact location and description of the device. Do not move or disturb it

Clearwithdraw yourself and others to a safe distance out of the line of sight of the device and via a safe route.

Cordonthe cordon should be visible to the public and secure.

Controlaccess to the inner perimeter should be strictly controlled

Checkthe evacuation points and perimeter for secondary devices

Cordon Distances:

  • Small device (briefcase)100m
  • Large device (car)200m
  • Very large device (van)400m

Remember, of you can see the device, it can see you.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do:

Call your line manager

Call the police, even if it is a hoax

Call University Security:

Newcastle University

Estate Security Service

Ground floor Barras Building

Newcastle upon Tyne

Ne1 7RU

Tel:0191 2086666 Emergency line

Tel: 0191 2086817 Normal Security line

Email: security

Do Not:

  • Touch it
  • Lift it
  • Move it
  • Open it
  • Pour water on it
  • Put anything on top of it
  • Try to defuse it
  • Attempt to cut or disconnect wires
  • Use a radio or mobile phone near it

Receipt of Bomb Threat

By phone - remain calm, be courteous, and listen and do not interrupt. If the caller ID is known, record the number of the incoming call, write the exact words used and the nature of the threat. Notify your manager/supervisor immediately.

Electronically – Do not delete the information, do not respond, do not move it to another file and do not open any attachments.

Date
Time received am/pm
Time concluded am/pm
How received
Caller display
Person receiving call/information

If by phone, keep the caller talking by asking the following questions:

When will the device explode? At what time?
Where is the bomb located (building, floor, room)
What does the device look like?
What kind of bomb is it?
What will set it off?
Why are you doing this?
Who are you?

Description of Caller

Please tick those which apply:

Sex:

Male / Female / Unknown

Approximate age of caller:

Voice / Speech / Language / Behaviour / Background Noise
Clean / Accented / Educated / Agitated / Airport
Distorted / Deliberate / Foreign / Angry / Animals
Loud / Distinct / Foul / Blaming / Baby
Muffled / Fast / Intelligent / Calm / Birds
Nasal / Hesitant / Irrational / Fearful / General noise
High Pitch / Lisp / Rational / Laughing / Guns firing
Low Pitch / Slow / Slang / Nervous / Gym
Pleasant / Slurred / Uneducated / Righteous / Machinery
Raspy / Stutter / Unintelligible / Television
Smooth / Stammer / Music
Train
Party
Traffic
Pub/Bar
Typing
Quiet
Talking
Restaurant
Water
Call Centre

Any other details: