Essex prepares for terror threat

Emergency suits for potential casualties

Essex County Council is leading the way as the eastern region prepares for the threat of a terrorist attack.

With three nuclear power stations, international airports and US airbases, it is feared the east could become a target.

Councils are being told by the government to put together emergency plans on how to cope in the event of a large-scale terror attack.

In Essex, where possible targets include Stansted Airport, the county council has already begun that process.

Essex's emergency planning officer Peter Pearson

Officials stress that no specific terrorist threat has been made but the county needs to be prepared.

Co-ordination of any operation will be from the emergency control centre beneath County Hall.

Essex's emergency planning officer Peter Pearson said in every town and village in the county they had identified locations for evacuees and how to provide them with food and accommodation.

The planning includes the means of letting friends and relatives know those who are safe and those who need help.

A thousand emergency suits have been delivered to give to any casualties from a terrorist attack.

Air bases

With American air bases in Suffolk as potential targets, the council said evacuation centres had been identified.

In Norfolk, which has 45 emergency centres, the county's emergency plans have not been stepped up.

Hertfordshire County Council said it needed more funding to prepare for the threat of a terrorist attack.

In Northamptonshire, 80 frontline centres have been identified.