Incident Update Liverpool Women’s Hospital – 14 Nov 2021
An update from UK Protect – Counter Terrrorism Policing
We can confirm that at 10.59am today (Sunday, 14 November) police were called to reports of a car explosion at the Women’s Hospital in Liverpool city centre. Police immediately attended, along with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and the North West Ambulance Service.
So far we understand that the car involved was a taxi which pulled up at the hospital shortly before the explosion occurred.
The passenger of the car – a man – was declared dead at the scene and is yet to be formally identified. The driver – also a man – was injured at the scene and remains in hospital in a stable condition. This afternoon, Counter Terrorism Police North West arrested 3 men in connection with the incident: the men – aged 21, 26, and 29 – were detained in the Kensington area of the city and arrested under the Terrorism Act.
Work is still ongoing on to establish the details of what has happened and it could take some time before we are in a position to confirm anything. Detectives from Counter Terrorism Police North West continue to keep an open mind about the cause of the explosion and are working closely with colleagues at Merseyside Police as the investigation continues at pace.
The emergency services have well-rehearsed plans for dealing with major incidents. Merseyside Police and their partners’ response is ongoing at the hospital and will be for some time. Cordons are in place, and there are some road closures.
A message from Merseyside Police
We would urge the public to remain calm but vigilant. To keep updated on what is happening, keep watching the news and checking the Merseyside Police website or their Twitter feed @MerseyPolice
The patience of the public in Merseyside has supported the police response and we would ask for the public and business communities to continue to cooperate with the police response. We will update you again as soon as we have more information.
Further Information:
This has been declared a major incident by Merseyside Police.
This has not been declared a terrorist incident at this stage although, out of caution, CT detectives are leading as we try to understand the circumstances behind the explosion.
Although the incident took place at a hospital, there is no indication of an ongoing threat to hospitals or medical facilities elsewhere.
Supporting Guidance
The most effective means of preventing a threat getting to their intended target can be to have effective search and screening processes in place.
The guidance from the CPNI for Security is available here:
https://www.cpni.gov.uk/screening-people-and-their-belongings-0
The investigation has not yet confirmed the cause of the explosion within the car in this Incident. CPNI and NaCTSO produce a guide for the most likely terrorist threats, which is suitable for sharing with all security staff. https://www.cpni.gov.uk/blog/physical-security/recognising-terrorist-threats
Businesses can also sign up for the ACT awareness eLearning. The eLearning provides nationally recognised corporate CT guidance to help increase understanding around terrorism, how to mitigate against terrorism, along with methodology.
To register please visit: https://ct.highfieldelearning.com/