What should you do if you discover a suspicious item?
As discussed above, the ability to spot a postal threat can be almost impossible yet incredibly important. Your organisation should therefore encourage reporting any suspicious letters or parcels, and all employees should know who to report this to. A postal threat assessment and Security Scanning Training should be undertaken regularly and would normally involve security, postroom, facilities and other senior managers to ensure everyone knows what this process is.
You should follow your own organisation’s guidance, but best practice says that you should respond to the discovery of a suspected threat as follows:
- Don’t touch it! If you are holding it then gently place it on a clear, flat surface so it is easy to identify.
- Don’t move it.
- If it has been discovered via an X-Ray machine, then leave it in the machine.
- Clear the area including nearby rooms (even those above or below).
- Stop anyone else from entering the area.
- Don’t use mobile phones or radios within 15 meters of the item.
- Dependant on procedure, contact police or internal security.
If you are using X-ray equipment
For X-ray machine operators, awareness is still very important and your ability to detect threats will be enhanced by training. For this reason, you should keep your training up to date and ensure new members of staff are trained to effectively use your equipment and spot a threat.
MyGroupSecurity specialises in postal security and is trusted by many organisations to provide equipment and training to detect threats concealed within letters, parcels, bags or on individuals. If your role is to protect your staff and premises and would like further information about what we can offer then please get in touch.