Person-borne explosives

Hand-delivered improvised explosive devices are usually carried in containers such as rucksacks or briefcases, which are chosen to blend in easily with the target surroundings.

Given the requirement to be easily portable, such bombs are unlikely to weigh more than 25kg, although even an ordinary-sized briefcase can contain about 12kg of explosive. A 25kg suitcase bomb could destroy a house or small office block and would cause serious structural damage to larger buildings.

Terrorists often increase the effectiveness of their bombs by packing them with nails, nuts and bolts or similar items to act as shrapnel. Such weapons can have a devastating effect in a small space.

What you can do

• operate general good housekeeping practices. Strictly control the access of staff and visitors to your premises. This greatly reduces the chance of a bomb being carried onto your premises.
• at times of high alert, baggage searches may be the only means of protection and deterrence
• should a suspicious item be found during a search, under no circumstances should it be touched or moved in any way. The police should be informed immediately and they will ensure an appropriate response.
• consider physically restricting access from the reception area into the rest of the building, for instance by the use of full height access control barriers or doors.