The exercise saw the club’s security operatives challenged by four realistic scenarios under the guidance of Leicestershire Police, Leicester Fire and Rescue Service, and National Counter Terrorism Security Office. The initiative, which is part of the UK-wide Operation SENTRY, was led by the Security Industry Authority (SIA). Its purpose is to ensure preparedness in the unlikely event of a mass casualty event at a Leicester club.

The emergency exercise is designed for front line security operatives to enable them to put into practice ACT Awareness e-learning as well as the newer ACT Security e-learning. This free e-learning course was designed by government counter-terrorism experts from the National Counter Terrorism Security Office, the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure and the SIA. The custom-built training provides up-to-date counter-terrorism knowledge to help security professionals prepare for and respond to terrorist incidents whilst on duty. The counter-terrorism e-learning features specific drills that were showcased yesterday:

• mass stabbing (gang related knife attack)
• a marauding terrorist attack taking place outside the club
• acid attack
• a suspect package

This event is aimed to strengthen the resilience of Mosh Nightclub staff and to enable them to test their emergency plan.

Ronnie Megaughin, Head of Compliance and Inspections, said:

Putting Mosh Nightclub’s security operatives into realistic terror scenarios is one of the best ways to prepare them in the event of a real-life incident. Security operatives may be the first people on the scene in an incident. Yesterday’s staged terror incidents enabled security operatives to take part and deal with the scenario, and then receive an instant debrief from counter-terror experts. We know from experience that operatives, and their managers, really appreciate what they learn from these events and find them worth their while. Any of these security staff could find themselves as the first responder at a serious incident, and this exercise could literally be the difference between life and death.

Inderjit Singh, the SIA’s Regional Investigator for the East Region, who is leading on the event, said:

We’re really pleased with the commitment that Mosh’s security staff put into yesterday’s exercise . The main aim of exercises like this is to enhance public safety in Leicester’s night-time economy by working with venues and security staff. It’s also to showcase best practice by putting the Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) awareness e-learning package, which we’ve been recommending to all licensed operatives, into practice. I’d like to thank all of our partners and especially Mosh Nightclub for hosting yesterday’s exercises to enhance public protection.

The emergency planning exercise at Mosh Nightclub continues a programme of similar exercises and follows on from events in Chesterfield and London in autumn 2021 and Glasgow in April this year. A pilot event took place at Buxton in Derbyshire in October 2019.

Notes to editors:

Further information:

• The Security Industry Authority is the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry in the United Kingdom, reporting to the Home Secretary under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. The SIA’s main duties are the compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities and managing the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme.
• For further information about the Security Industry Authority visit www.gov.uk/sia. The SIA is also on Facebook (Security Industry Authority) and Twitter (SIAuk).

Minister for Latin America Vicky Ford said:

The United Kingdom expresses its concern at the re-election of María Consuelo Porras to the post of Attorney General in Guatemala.

We note that Sra Porras is sanctioned on the US Engels List of undemocratic and corrupt officials, and that there are other serious reasons to doubt her suitability for this important role.

The United Kingdom will continue to work closely with international partners to encourage the Government of Guatemala to strengthen the rule of law and support and respect judicial independence.

Respect for the rule of law and judicial independence are essential conditions for Guatemala to boost prosperity, attract foreign investment, protect human rights, maintain a healthy democracy and win the fight against corruption.

We have introduced new features to help with Client and Cost Management (CCMS) funding applications about rights of access to a child.

The improvements are specifically for funding applications falling under article 21 of the 1980 Hague Convention. These concern international disputes about rights of access to a child.

The new features include:

How do the new features work?

When making an application in CCMS providers will come to a drop-down menu with options which include 2 new selections:

1. ‘Article 21 Hague Convention 1980 – non-means’

2. ‘Article 21 Hague Convention – respondent’

If appropriate, making the ‘non-means’ selection from the matter type categories listed for article 21 work will shorten the application process.

This is because you will only be asked to provide limited information when completing the means assessment interview.

Where can I find out more?

Guidance for creating initial applications on behalf of applicants is available on our training and support website.

Further information

Training and support website – to view article 21 initial application guidance