LONDON -- Commuters across the UK are being handed leaflets by police warning them that if a terrorist attack happens, they should run, hide and tell.
Launched by British Transport Police (BTP), the leaflets give advice on firearms and weapons attacks, similar to the 2008 attack in Mumbai in which 257 people were killed and 700 injured.
"If you hear gunfire or a weapons attack, leave the areas safely if you can. If this puts you in greater danger, find a safe place to take cover," one of the leaflets says.
This leaflet is being handed out at transport hubs across the country asking people to report suspicious activity pic.twitter.com/gA8Llx3inx— Travel Tom (@thetomstokes) November 26, 2014
The leaflets, which depict worried-looking commuters rushing down stairs, hiding and making a phone call, urge people to "make a plan now and stay safe".
They are part of the UK government's week-long effort dedicated to counter-terrorism, which encourages the public to be mindful, and to report any suspicious activity.
You might see more officers at major railway stations this evening. It’s to raise awareness for Counter Terrorism Awareness Week. #CTAW2014— BTP (@BTP_UK) November 24, 2014
“More than 6 million people travel on our railways every single day. For commuters, who make the same journey over and over again, it can be easy to become oblivious to their surroundings," Chief Constable Paul Crowther of BTP said. "But I would urge them to use their instinct, and have the confidence to report anything that strikes them as out-of-place or suspicious."
Crowther highlighted a recent example of a man sentenced for terrorism offences after a tip from a rail passenger led to him being caught with information about how to make bombs. "We need others to follow suit, and play their part in keeping the UK’s transport systems safe from terrorists," he said.
However, commuters had a mixed reaction to the leaflets, with some accusing the police of scaremongering and creating panic.
These are a bit scaremongering are they not! Being handed out in #london today #staysafe #terrorism leaflets yikes pic.twitter.com/g5rU2YfnSv— Survival Chick (@DR_Apocalyptic) November 25, 2014
Earlier this week, the UK Home Secretary Theresa May announced a raft of new counter-terrorism measures, which are being put before parliament.