A NEW initiative is being launched to prepare North firms to assist police prevent a terrorist outrage in the area or help in its aftermath.

The partnership between businesses and the police will allow companies to send key staff to be given training by by Special Branch officers.

The terror attack on Glasgow Airport in the summer has brought the issue of security into sharp focus throughout Scotland and law enforcement agencies and the business community believe there is a need to be more alert.

The latest initiative – based on Project Griffin and Project Argus national schemes – is due to be launched in March next year and will involve businesses in the Highlands and Islands in conjunction with Northern Constabulary and Grampian Police.

Project Griffin was originally developed by the City of London Police to train selected security officers from major city organisations to be better equipped to be of assistance to the police in the event of a major incident. This could be a terrorist attack or natural disaster. This is now also being rolled out to facilities managers and those responsible for building evacuation.

Project Argus is a National Counter Terrorism Security Office initiative exploring ways to help in preventing, handling and recovering from a terrorist attack. NACTSO sits as a police unit within the Security Services.

Argus offers free training which takes candidates through a realistic terrorist attack using multimedia simulation. A series of questions and challenges are put to each candidate both individually and as a group and the candidates have to resolve them.

Jim Ferguson, a director of Inverness Chamber of Commerce, said: "The Chamber along with Inverness City Centre Management and Safe Inverness and other partners in the area are all firmly behind these projects and see the benefits that this will bring in safeguarding our businesses.

"I have been involved in planning and looking at many aspects of the security issue in relation to business continuity and we, in partnership with the police, are now taking these concepts out to the business community.

"We must always guard against complacency as Islamic terrorism is a real threat even in the remoter parts in Scotland and after the Glasgow Airport attack we must ensure that everything is done to prevent and train our business people in how to spot for example, hostile reconnaissance.

"A Highlands and Islands Resilience Group has been formed which will be business led and will serve as a focus group who will examine issues  and work with interested parties to develop solutions to any anticipated problems. A website portal to other Government sites with access to essential information will also be provided.

"This is a first for the Highlands and Islands as there has never been an attempt to bring business together or up to speed with all these various factors at this level."

Mr Ferguson, who is also chairman of the Inverness Crime Prevention Panel and Crimestoppers, added: "I look forward to having an expert panel consisting of police, NHS and emergency planning offering advice and practical help to businesses across the region.

Chief Superintendent Bruce Duncan, head of operations at Northern Constabulary, said: "Northern Constabulary are keen to assist the business community in handling and recovering from a potential terrorist attack or threat. Similarly we see the business community as a valued partner in preventing such an incident by alerting the police to suspicious activity prior to and leading up to an attack.

"It is important that the public and businesses are reassured that all those involved in Project Argus aim to keep our communities as safe as possible."

Mr Ferguson said that those wishing further information could contact me directly on 01667 493249 and that links and appropriate support information will be posted onto our main website at http://www.hai-resilience.co.uk/

He added: "We now have a great deal of interest being shown by Highland businesses and I would advise anyone wishing to book onto the Project Argos and Griffin courses to do so early as demand is likely to be high."

Contact can be made with Graham Milne of Grampian Police directly on 01224 305 468 who will be leading the training in Inverness.