Article published in Nepean News – 10 May 2024, By Newsroom
EVIDENTLY, the Police and the NSW Government are focussed on addressing knife crime in our state. But the tragic event in Bondi Junction has many of us asking ourselves what would we do if in that situation? Of course many would fantasise about taking the perpetrator out single-handedly or earning the “Bollard Girl” title; but the reality of being faced with an armed person on a mission is pretty confronting.
We posed the question to local security expert Gina Field, who has owned and operated Nepean Regional Security for 26 years.
“Easier said than done, but try and remain calm at all times would be my first piece of advice,” Gina said.
“Most active attackers are extremely unpredictable and ensure the element of surprise. Most of these attacks can be well pre-planned, however there are also the ones that just take the opportunity for whatever reason.
“Personally and on a business level, it is time to be ready and more aware, not only for individual safety, but the safety of staff.”
Gina believes it is important to pre-plan and educate yourself on your surroundings and whether the site you are at has security, exits, open spaces, and evacuation points.
“It is really important from a business perspective that responding to active attackers is on the training list – particularly in situations of mass gatherings, shopping centres, festivals, and sporting events; however, the more open, the better the prospect of survival is,” Gina said.
Leave if it is safe to do so
“The priority is to get away from the offender the best you can. Next is to attempt, if safe to do so, to leave the site. If possible, use items around you, chairs, banners, tables, or whatever is available for a shield as you evacuate the site.
“If, in the case of a shopping centre, never run with an extreme amount of shopping bags, these will slow you down. Leave the bags behind.
“Turn your phone on silent as soon as possible – a ringing phone is a give away for where you are.”
Hide and take cover
“If you cannot leave safely, find a spot to take cover and hide for your safety. Finding a secure spot with lockable doors is best – never use a fire cabinet or similar because there are no locks on the doors. Continually reassess the situation, to see if you can leave safely.
“Never place yourself in a situation, that you have cornered yourself in with limited escape opportunities.
“Make sure you keep reassessing and please remain calm. Attackers love the look of fear in people, and showing a lack of fear really does put some of them off.
“Only if safe, and the opportunity arises, take the attacker down. This of course is the last resort to save YOUR life – pick up anything to keep the attacker away.”
Report and try and remember as much as you can
“Remember that the Police and authorities have to piece all of the incidents and occurrences together, so the more you can tell them, the better. The times, locations, actions, words, conversations.
“Take note of the time. Usually there is a lot of screaming; what are people saying?
“Where safe to do so, call 000 – give them as much detail as possible, what the attacker looks like, whether they are armed, and what they are screaming out; police need as much detail as possible.
“Be clear, know the address of where you are at, and do this in your pre-planning.”
We all want to get about our business and enjoy life without being on high alert, but as Gina points out, being prepared and knowing your surroundings doesn’t take a lot of time or effort. It is really just being consciously observant. You never know when that could be critically important.
