A large-scale counter-terrorism exercise was held in Swansea, Wales, on 26 April, where emergency teams tested how well they could work together in the event of a major terrorist attack. UK Security Minister Dan Jarvis attended the event to support the exercise and highlight the importance of close cooperation between national and Welsh services to keep the public safe.
Training Exercise at Swansea.com Stadium
The counter-terrorism drill took place at Swansea.com Stadium, where police, ambulance, fire services, and other emergency responders practiced their response to a potential terrorist incident. This kind of training helps ensure that all services are fully prepared to act quickly and effectively during real-life emergencies.
Importance of Working Together
Security Minister Dan Jarvis praised the efforts of everyone involved. He said the key to responding successfully to attacks, especially those that could cause mass casualties, lies in strong teamwork, trust, and proper coordination between all emergency services.
He added that national security is a top priority for the government’s Plan for Change, and exercises like this one play a vital role in saving lives and protecting communities.
Martyn’s Law: New Legislation for Public Safety
The exercise followed the final approval of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, also called Martyn’s Law. This law is named after Martyn Hett, who was one of the 22 people killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing.
The law will make it mandatory for venues like sports stadiums and concert halls to plan for potential terrorist attacks. Places such as the Swansea.com Stadium will need to create and regularly update their own security and emergency response plans.
Agencies Involved in the Exercise
The training was part of regular exercises led by the police, including Counter Terrorism Policing Wales and South Wales Police, in collaboration with South Wales Fire and Rescue, health and social care services, and the Welsh Government.
All teams followed the Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Principles (JESIP). These principles help emergency services work together smoothly and are widely accepted as the standard for multi-agency response across the UK.
Visit to the Senedd and Discussions on Security
As part of his visit, Dan Jarvis also met the First Minister of Wales at the Senedd in Cardiff. They discussed ways to strengthen security in Wales and ensure that the region is always ready to face any terrorist threats.
The counter-terrorism exercise in Swansea showed how important it is for emergency services to train together. With new laws like Martyn’s Law in place and strong partnerships between UK and Welsh services, the country is better prepared to respond to terrorist threats. Events like this are essential for building confidence, improving skills, and ultimately saving lives in case of emergencies.