\u201cAny attacker is most likely to use easily accessible weapons such as knives or a vehicle.<\/p>\n
SIS director-general Andrew Hampton said the most likely threat is a violent lone actor, radicalised online. Photo \/ NZME<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is important to note the current terrorism threat level<\/a> means a terrorist attack in New Zealand is assessed as a realistic possibility, despite the overarching level of \u2018low\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cWe do not want to be alarmist, but we want the public, businesses and all sectors to have informed discussions about security risks and what can be done to manage these risks.\u201d<\/p>\n New Zealand\u2019s strategy draws on Australia\u2019s similar Strategy for Protecting Crowded Places from Terrorism.<\/p>\n It focuses on the risks in congested places like sports events, public transport, in schools, shopping centres, restaurants, hotels, theatres, festivals, churches, tourist attractions and busy city streets.<\/p>\n Police are the lead agency for the strategy because it covers all types of attacks \u2013 not just terrorism.<\/p>\n \u201cThe nature of crowded places means they at times can pose extra risks, as they can be targets for attacks,\u201d Assistant Commissioner Mike Johnson said.<\/p>\n \u201cRemember three simple words: Escape. Hide. Tell. That means moving quickly and quietly away from danger, staying out of sight, silencing your phone and \u2013 when it is safe to do so \u2013 calling police on 111.\u201d<\/p>\n The launch comes three weeks after the Security Intelligence Service released its annual Security Threat Environment report, in which it noted \u201ca deterioration in the threat environment\u201d and said New Zealand was facing the most challenging national security environment of recent times.<\/p>\n \u201cA media feed filled with polarisation and grievance awaits anyone who is vulnerable to being led astray, or who is looking for fuel for their violent ideology,\u201d the report said.<\/p>\n Chris Kumeroa, chairman of the Crowded Places Security Advisory Group which advised on the plan, said he hopes the \u201cescape, hide, tell\u201d mantra for attack incidents<\/a> will become as well-known as \u201cdrop, cover, hold\u201d for earthquakes. <\/p>\n The police resources include:<\/p>\n Tools to assess how attractive a venue could be to an attackerFactors attackers take into account when looking for a targetHow to detect possible hostile reconnaissance at a venueHow to conduct an in-depth security audit<\/p>\n The first part of the strategy was released in 2020 and was inspired by the Christchurch mosque attacks.<\/p>\nSecurity and risk expert Chris Kumeroa chaired a group that provided security industry advice. He hopes the safety mantra “escape, hide, tell” will become widely known and remembered. Photo \/ Stuart Munro<\/p>\n