Campaigns and Initiatives

Security staff across the region have joined forces with Greater Manchester Police in the fight against terrorism by signing up to take part in Project Griffin.

This project aims to raise awareness among security personnel about counter-terrorism measures so that they are better equipped to deal with their organisation's security challenges on a day-to-day basis and in the event of a major incident.

In 2004, the City of London Police and the Metropolitan Police Service in conjunction with the security industry jointly launched Project Griffin. Currently, up to 3,000 security personnel across the capital have attended awareness days with the project now being rolled out by forces across the UK.

In March 2006, the Greater Manchester launch of the project took place, attended by over 80 delegates representing the major security companies working in Greater Manchester and representatives from Greater Manchester Police, the City of London Police and the Metropolitan Police.

At this one-day seminar, attendees were given a flavour of the Griffin awareness programme with inputs on the current terrorist threat, explosives, terrorist planning, Manchester city centre evacuation plan and cordon management. As a result, thousands of security employees working in Greater Manchester will now take part in the project.

Project Griffin consists of three strands; a counter-terrorism awareness day, a weekly conference call and Griffin registered security staff helping the police to manage cordons during a major incident.

The awareness days for 2008/09 are -

Thursday 26th March 09
Friday17th April 09
Monday 18th May 09
Monday 29th June 09
Tuesday 21st July 09
Wednesday 19th August 09
Wednesday 16th September 09
Monday 26th October 09
Wednesday 25th November 09
Monday 14th December 09
Monday 25th January 2010
Wednesday 24th February 2010
Monday 29th March 2010 

 

for more details please refer to the associated document below check where it is going to be. Companies who sign up to Project Griffin will take part in a weekly conference call, where the police will provide them with current threat levels, crime trends and inform them what action is needed.

The third stage involves 'Griffin guards' being called upon to help the police manage cordons in an emergency situation. They will be given hi-visibility tabards, which have 'Cordon Support' printed on the back and the Griffin logo on the front.
Detective Inspector Mark Smith of Greater Manchester Police's Counter-terrorist Security Unit said: "Every terrorist attack requires a great deal of planning and preparation. Therefore, the security industry can play a crucial part in helping us to defeat terrorism, as they are well placed to acts as eyes and ears for any suspicious activity.

"We are extremely pleased local security personnel have pledged their support to Project Griffin, as with their help we can ensure Greater Manchester is a hostile environment for terrorist activity and in turn, a safer place."

GMP is still interested to hear from any companies in the area, who want their security staff to be involved in Project Griffin.  Anyone who would like more information is asked to email: ctsa@gmp.police.uk

Link to Griffin news Letter