UK spy chief's anti-terror advice
By CNN's Graham Jones
LONDON, England (CNN) -- Britain's spy chief has issued secret anti-terrorist advice for the very first time -- and in very un-secret fashion it is available on a specially set-up spy-org Web site.
The MI5 Web site also gives an up-to-date risk assessment of the threats posed currently by international terrorists.
Launching the new site, MI5 Director General Eliza Manningham-Buller said it was important to assist more people and businesses to help themselves.
Britain has two main security services, the Secret Intelligence Service (sometimes referred to as MI6) which employs agents abroad -- the real life James Bonds.
The other is the intelligence gathering internal security service, MI5 (Military Intelligence, Section 5) which has responsibility for maintaining Britain's democratic and economic interests at home, including security in Northern Ireland.
It is MI5 which has issued the advice, formerly only available to government organizations. Two sections are also translated into Arabic.
There is indeed some very practical advice -- even if some of the "Top ten tips" for businesses do have a very British, almost Ealing comedy ring to them. (No.4, 'Good Housekeeping' includes the advice: "Keep garden areas free from dense shrubbery").
As well as anti-shatter film to protect against bomb damage, firms with Georgian windows should install net curtains, the Web site says.
Firms are advised to locate their mail rooms away from the main premises, advice which may not make comfortable reading for mail room staff.
Above all, the guidance calls on firms to have "security awareness," to train staff in emergency procedures and take precautions against flying broken glass.
There is much serious detail including advice on protection from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) devices, and the best designs for bomb shelters.
Welcoming the move, Britain's Home Secretary, David Blunkett, said: "Through the MI5 Web site, all businesses and organizations will have the benefit of the Service's expertise and can use it to make themselves safer."
Collective defenses
In a message to launch the site, Manningham-Buller says: "For the most part details of our operations must and should remain secret.
"But stopping terrorists is only one part of our collective defenses against terrorism.
"Another part of our work is to use the knowledge we have about these organizations to provide sensible and practical advice on how best to protect yourself against these threats.
"Traditionally this advice was confined mainly to government, but the threat of global terrorism makes it important for us to extend this advice to a wider range of people.
"Much of the new content of the Web site is aimed therefore at the business community and staff in organizations who have responsibility for the safety of others.
In the good practice guide, the Web site advises that risk assessments should be carried out and urges businesses to ensure security issues are overseen by someone at board level.
It warns the public to ensure basic good housekeeping, such as pruning trees and bushes around buildings.
It has also called on firms to analyze their mail-handling procedures as well as checking that their staff have accurate documentation by following up references.
Terrorist threat
On the terrorist threat facing Britain, it said: "The main terrorist danger to the UK and to British interests overseas comes from al Qaeda and associated groups.
"These groups seek to attack Western and Israeli or Jewish interests worldwide, as well as targeting Muslim nations they consider to be hostile."
It added: "The threat from international terrorism remains real and serious. Osama bin Laden has in several statements publicly named Britain and British interests as a target, and encouraged attacks to be carried out against them.
"In March 2004, the events in Madrid demonstrated the capability of an al Qaeda affiliated terrorist group to carry out an attack without warning against a civilian target in Western Europe."
There is some reassurance, however. MI5 says that the number of terrorist-related deaths in the UK since the late 1960s represents less than 3 percent of the number of road accident deaths during the same period -- most of the victims in Northern Ireland.
There is also a section headed "myths" on which the secret service rebuts what it calls "common misconceptions" -- 17 in all -- including that it carries out assassinations, does not recruit tall people and was once headed by a Russian spy. All untrue, says MI5.
The Web site address is www.mi5.gov.uk.
