Talking Points: United Kingdom (June 5, 2017)
Talking Points – United Kingdom
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The following Talking Points can be used in conversations with the media and clients who have questions about travel to the United Kingdom. (June 5, 2017)
1. While the UK’s threat level for international terrorism remains at its highest level, following an attack on London Bridge, the U.S. State Department has no Travel Warning or Alert in effect advising Americans against travel to London or the UK.
2. Safety is our top priority for our clients.
3. We provide the facts so our clients can make informed decisions about their travel plans.
Below you will find additional information, supporting material and statistics to help further illustrate each talking point.
1. While the UK’s threat level for international terrorism remains at its highest level, following an attack on London Bridge, the U.S. State Department has no Travel Warning or Alert in effect advising Americans against travel to London or the UK.
On the evening of June 3, a van deliberately ran into pedestrians on London Bridge. Three men got out and stabbed people at Borough Market before being killed by police.
o According to the UK’s Guardian, “seven people have been killed and dozens injured during attacks in two closely connected areas of London on Saturday night. The police are treating the attacks as terrorist incidents.”
“Police were called after a white rental van ploughed into pedestrians on London Bridge at about 9.58pm on Saturday night. The van continued on to nearby Borough Market where three attackers emerged and carried out multiple stabbings in pubs and restaurants.”
“Armed police arrived and shot the attackers dead within eight minutes of being alerted. The attackers were armed with knives and wore what turned out to be fake suicide vests.”
o The BBC reports that “police investigating Saturday night’s terror attack in London say they know the identity of the three attackers who killed seven people and injured 48.”
“Eleven people are being held after police raids in Barking on Sunday. One of the properties is believed to be the home of one of the attackers.”
o Transport for London’s website states “Following the incident on London Bridge on [June 3], we have resumed running a full Tube service, but there are some changes to London Bridge Underground station, roads and bus routes in the area.”
The UK’s raised its terror threat to the highest possible level of “critical” on May 23, which means “an attack is expected imminently.”
o It is the first time a threat level of “critical” has been issued in the UK since 2007.
o Interior Minister Amber Rudd said “troops were being deployed to key sites across Britain to help prevent further attacks,” reports Reuters.
According to Reuters, “up to 3,800 soldiers could be deployed on Britain’s streets, taking on guard duties at places like Buckingham Palace and Downing Street to free up police to focus on patrols and investigation. An initial deployment of 984 had been ordered, initially in London, then elsewhere.”
The UK’s Telegraph reported that Prime Minister Theresa May “also announced that troops would replace police officers at set-piece events including sports venues and concerts.”
o “It will be the first time since 2003 – when the Government reacted to a plot to bring down an airliner – that troops are deployed on the streets.”
o “Security will also be stepped up at major public events and terrorist targets such as railway stations and airports.”
On May 22, 2017, at Manchester Arena, a suicide bomb was detonated at the conclusion of a concert killing 22 people and injuring 116.
o According to NPR, “The explosion struck the area between Manchester Arena and the adjacent Victoria Train Station; police say the first report came in at 10:33 p.m. – a time that seems to have been chosen because it meant crowds of concert-goers were starting to head home from the arena, which seats around 21,000.”
o The BBC reported, “A lone attacker set off a homemade bomb in the foyer at 22:33 BST” and “armed police have arrested a 23-year-old man in Chorlton, south Manchester, in connection with the attack.”
“It is the worst terrorist attack in the UK since the 7 July bombings in 2005 in which 52 people were killed by four suicide bombers. So-called Islamic State has said it was behind the attack, via IS channels on the messaging app Telegram.”
In March, an attacker rammed his vehicle into a crowd on Westminster Bridge and stabbed a police officer. That attack left five people dead.
There are currently no Travel Warnings or Travel Alerts in place for the United Kingdom (UK) from the U.S. State Department, nevertheless, terrorism knows no boundaries.
o There is a Travel Alert in place for all of Europe (issued May 1, 2017).
o In addition, there is a longstanding Worldwide Caution that has continuously been in effect since 9/11.
The Government of Canada has “no nationwide advisory in effect for the United Kingdom” and recommends travelers “exercise normal security precautions.”
2. Safety is our top priority for our clients.
We highly recommend that U.S. citizens follow the advice of the State Department and register their international travel plans at https://step.state.gov/step. By entering information into the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), the Department of State can better assist travelers in an emergency.
We also strongly encourage all of our clients, whether they are traveling domestically or internationally, to purchase travel insurance, particularly right at the same time as travel has been booked. Travel insurance offers an additional layer of protection for travelers and can potentially help save a traveler hundreds or thousands of dollars if a medical or travel emergency occurs.
While no one can say with certainty that any destination is 100% safe, we strongly encourage our clients to use care and common sense – no matter where they travel – to maximize their safety and security. For example:
o Leave your itinerary, and passport data page, with a friend or family member back home so you can be contacted in case of an emergency.
o Know and respect the laws in the country you are visiting.
o Follow your instincts and avoid any areas or situations that seem as though they could become dangerous.
o Remain alert to their surroundings at all times.
o Avoid all demonstrations, as even peaceful ones can quickly become unruly and a foreigner could become a target of harassment. If caught unexpectedly near a demonstration, obey instructions from police and leave the area as quickly as possible.
o Ask tour guides and hotel officials about any planned demonstrations in the locations they plan to visit.
o Do not display expensive looking jewelry, large amounts of money or other valuable items. Also, do not leave luggage unattended in public areas and do not accept packages from strangers.
o Check with your cell phone provider prior to departure to see if your phone is capable of roaming on international networks.
o Check your medical insurance coverage to make sure it applies overseas. If it doesn’t, consider buying travel insurance that covers overseas medical attention and medical evacuation.
The U.S. State Department also offers a helpful Traveler’s Checklist that provides additional travel tips.
Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained through the Consular Information Program documents, by downloading the free Smart Traveler iPhone App, following the State Department on Twitter or the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook. Citizens can also call 888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 202-501-4444 from other countries.
3. We provide the facts so our clients can make an informed decision about their travel plans.
We closely monitor the U.S. Department of State website, as well as other governmental sources, for travel alerts as well as the more severe travel warnings for all destinations, including those that are most popular with our clients.
Should we become aware of an issue for a specific destination, we alert clients who may be planning to travel there so they can determine for themselves if they still wish to travel.
Also, should we become aware of an issue for a specific destination where a client is currently located; we try to immediately contact the client to check on their well-being and work to assist them if they require alternate travel arrangements.