SAFER – Acid attack (Project Diffuse) training session a huge success

On Wednesday 14 March over 100 staff from businesses and organisations from the Angel BID area attended an acid attack training event hosted by angel.london.

The event incorporated a truly lifelike simulation of an acid attack taking place within a nightclub setting and was led by the Met Police, London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service.

All those attended were able to witness the event unfold in ‘real-time’ and learnt key lessons in being the invaluable ‘first responders’ should such an incident take place within their own workplaces. The key ‘Three R’ message drilled home was:

Report – dial 999

Remove – contaminated clothing cafefully

Rinse – immediately in running water (and keep going!)

Click here to download the “Three R’s” Acid Attack Poster

The simulation event was covered in local media including The Islington Tribune and gained national media coverage too, with large features in the London Evening Standard, The Sun and The Mirror newspapers to name just three. This coverage shows the wider world how Angel is working proactively to equip our businesses with the skills to ensure safety of our visitors and customers.

Feedback from attendees has been incredible, with quotes including:

“Fantastic event. The various teams involved did a great job of creating a really impactful and engaging simulation. I took away a number of useful lessons.”

“… my adrenaline was pumping even though I knew it was a drill”

I thought the event was really good and very Informative. Definitely feel like I know what to do now if it ever happens.”

 “(The event) has provided us with knowledge… we now feel more prepared in what procedures we would implement should we have a victim to attend to on site before emergency services arrive.”

Detailed advice for licensed premises and security personnel (but which is valid for all businesses) on how to deal with an acid attack and what equipment to consider having in your venue can be found on the Home Office website:

We would like to thank all those involved in the organisation and staging of the event, with particular mentions to our Angel Police Team Sergeant, Neil Fraser and Mayuan Mak and the whole team at MetalWorks, who provided the venue for the event and did such an incredible job as ‘first responders’ on the day.