Circular 2003-03 issued in February 2003 provided advice on the New South Wales Government response to the current security environment.

This circular also clearly detailed procedures to be followed if an agency receives information which is considered to be a threat or offensive. A review of these procedures has now been undertaken and it is timely to update this advice.

Each agency should review their procedures in accordance with the information provided below to ensure that it remains accurate.

In determining what action is to be taken some judgement needs to be exercised and information is provided below to assist in this respect.

A key component of reporting all threats is the completion of an Incident Report. The Incident Report should be made available to all agency personnel and in particular those persons that deal with public inquiry lines or similar. The Incident Report should clearly state the action to be followed in the event of a threatening or offensive telephone call being received. A sample Incident Report is attached for your information.

Verbal Information

• Many telephone systems serving agencies may now have a call trace facility, it is important that agencies are aware of the procedures to be followed if a call warrants being traced by the New South Wales Police or the telecommunications provider. These procedures should be made known to your personnel and form part of the Incident Reporting procedure. If call trace is not available the handset should not be hung up.
• If the verbal communication is non specific or does not pose any immediate threat to a person or place the local Police station should be called. The number for the local Police station should be made known to your personnel.
• Where there is a direct threat of violence against a person or place it is imperative that the New South Wales Police be contacted immediately by calling 000.
• Where the communication is clearly one of politically motivated violence or terrorism, 000 should be called and the Assistant Director General, Counter Terrorism and Disaster Recovery in Premier's Department also contacted on 9228 5091.
• In the case of politically motivated violence or terrorism the Police Counter Terrorism Coordination Command will be advised either through the NSW Police and/or the Premier's Department.
• If the threat involves an explosive device, it is important that any standing procedures in place for dealing with such threats are closely followed in respect of evacuations or other appropriate action. Agencies are encouraged to review these procedures also.
• In each of the above circumstances and where they exist, any other appropriate emergency personnel engaged by the agency or serving the accommodation in which the agency is located should also be advised immediately.
• In all cases, where a CEO judges it necessary to inform his or her Minister, such information is to include the advice that the matter has been reported to the NSW Police who are assessing the veracity of the information with a view to determining what operational response, if any, will be taken. In these circumstances and/or where the threat is considered to be one of politically motivated violence or terrorism, the CEO should also advise the Premier's Department by calling the Assistant Director General, Counter Terrorism and Disaster Recovery on 9228 5091.
• The importance of recording information on the Incident Report form cannot be overstated as it may assist in the investigation of the perpetrator making the menacing call.

Written Information

In the event that written information of a threatening or offensive nature is received by either normal mail or electronically the action taken will depend on the nature of the threat. If the threat is non specific call the local Police station, if the threat is against a person or place, call 000 and if the threat contains politically motivated violence or terrorism call 000 and the Premiers Department on 9228 5091.

• If a threatening letter is received the hard copy of the advice and the envelope [if applicable] is to be immediately sealed in an envelope.
• In relation to emails, do not delete the item or forward it to any other recipient.
• Existing emergency procedures for the building should also be followed if considered necessary.

C Gellatly
Director General.