Attacks on crowded places overseas, including London Bridge and Borough Market in June 2017, Manchester Arena in May 2017, the Berlin Christmas market in December 2016, and the Bastille Day parade in Nice in July 2016, demonstrate how basic weapons—including vehicles, knives, and firearms—can be used by terrorists to devastating effect.  

Australia is not immune. Terrorists have plotted similar attacks here, including on crowded places, and we expect more will occur. 

In July 2017, police and intelligence officials disrupted a plot to conduct a terrorist attack using an improvised explosive device against the aviation sector, and a plot to develop an improvised chemical dispersion device for use in a terrorist attack on Australian soil. 

Australian governments work with the private sector to protect crowded places. Our law enforcement and intelligence agencies are well-equipped to detect and disrupt plots, and they have a strong history of stopping terrorist attacks. 

The aim of this course is to introduce you to: 

• Crowded Places Self-Assessment Tool 
• Crowded Places Security Audit 
• Hostile Vehicle Mitigation Guidelines 
• Chemical Weapon Guidelines 
• Active Armed Offender Guidelines 
• Improvised Explosive Device Guidelines 

The Guidelines are designed to increase understanding of the threat posed by particular weapons and tactics (e.g. vehicles, improvised explosive devices) to crowded places. The Guidelines also provide guidance on the issues and options that owners and operators may consider during risk mitigation and contingency planning activities.  

What is a Crowded Place? 

Crowded places are locations that are easily accessible by large numbers of people on a predictable basis.  

Crowded places include, but are not limited to, sports stadia, transport infrastructure, shopping centres, pubs, clubs, hotels, places of worship, tourist attractions, movie theatres, and civic spaces. Crowded places do not have to be buildings and can include open spaces such as parks and pedestrian malls. 

A crowded place will not necessarily be crowded at all times: crowd densities may vary between day and night, by season, and may be temporary, as in the case of sporting events, festivals, or one-off events.  

Duration 

40 minutes