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ACT, short for Action Counters Terrorism, is free counter terrorism e-learning from UK counter terrorism policing, available on the ProtectUK website. Employers increasingly ask security staff to complete it, and you need ACT certificates before you can start an SIA refresher course.
ACT Awareness takes about 45 minutes. It is an introduction for anyone who works in venues, public spaces or security, covering how to spot suspicious activity, understand security vulnerabilities and report concerns. Open ACT Awareness on ProtectUK.
ACT Security takes about 90 minutes and goes deeper for front line security staff: preventing threats, preparing for incidents and responding to an attack while on duty. Open ACT Security on ProtectUK.
Both are free. Register on ProtectUK, complete each module, and download your certificates to bring to your course.
The HOT principle helps you decide whether an unattended item is suspicious or just lost property. Ask whether it has been deliberately Hidden, whether it is Obviously suspicious, with wires, batteries, tape or liquids, and whether it is Typical of what you would expect to find there.
The four Cs tell you what to do if an item looks suspicious:
Keep at least 100 metres away from a small item such as a rucksack, 200 metres from a car and 400 metres from a van or lorry, and do not use a radio or phone within 15 metres of the item.
Run, Hide, Tell is the police advice if you are caught up in a weapons attack. Run to a place of safety if you can. If you cannot, hide, put your phone on silent and barricade yourself in. Tell the police by calling 999 when it is safe to do so.
ACT certificates are required before an SIA refresher course. If you are booked on one, complete both ACT courses on ProtectUK before your first day and bring your certificates. Many centres ask for certificates from the last 12 months, so redo the courses if yours are older. Starting out instead? The Door Supervisor course covers counter terrorism as part of the qualification.