Managing risk – Yourself
Individuals carry the main responsible for their own personal security against the threat from domestic extremism. Individuals will need to evaluate the threat and respond in an appropriate way, whether at work or at home.
It is important to keep the threats in perspective. Domestic extremists, particularly animal rights extremists, deliberately set out to create a climate of fear through harassment and intimidation.
The targeting of an individual by domestic extremists is very rare, although it can happen. You should not be unduly alarmed. By being prepared and alert you will be able to respond effectively to domestic extremist incidents and help to protect yourself at work and at home.
Your most important source of information on protective security against domestic extremism is your local police force. It is your primary point of contact. Its officers will deal with any domestic extremist incident that happens in the area you live or work in.
The actions organisations need to take to reduce vulnerability and help keep staff as safe as is possible from domestic extremist threats provide a useful starting point to plan for managing the personal risk you may face. Adapting them to your individual needs will help to reduce the opportunity for domestic extremists to be successful in attempts to target you:
- Be an active learner. Find out about the domestic extremist threats that you may face and where your vulnerabilities could be, particularly when you are not in the workplace.
- Be alert. Be attentive to possible risks whatever you are doing and have a plan of action for how you will deal with any domestic extremist incident that takes place.
- Be security-minded. Take appropriate steps to protect your personal safety – where ever you are, and your home.
It will not be possible for you to eliminate all domestic extremist threats. However, adopting suitable security precautions will give you and others the confidence to face any possible threats, remain calm and act to deter those who wish to disrupt you at work, at home or in your community.
The pages that follow outline steps that you can take to improve your personal security:
