MSA Intel

Overview

Police in London are currently reporting they have arrested a man who had entered into a business about noon time in London, with gas canisters on his person, taking four hostages and threatening to blow them up. This incident is being labeled as a hostage situation and not a terrorist incident. The business is described as a company which trains and hires heavy goods vehicle (HGV) truck drivers and is identified by the name ‘Advantage’. The business is located in the Shropshire House at 179 Tottenham Court, which is in central London and described as one of the busiest roads in the capital. This incident has restricted movement of students from the nearby University of London, shoppers, workers and potential attendees of the British Museum, as the Police had cordoned off the area and ordered the evacuation of neighboring establishments.     

The perpetrator is identified as Michael Green, a male approximately 50 years of age, who entered the business with gas canisters and threatened to kill the occupants. While holding at least four hostages from Advantage, Mr. Green expressed suicide ideation and began throwing office computer equipment and supplies from the fifth floor window. It has been reported Mr. Green became angry after he was not provided with an HGV license and had a grudge against someone in the building.

Implications

As this situation unfolds, it is becoming clearer this incident will be classified as one of workplace violence. This particular incident demonstrates a prior interaction with the client that feels they have been wronged and is extremely frustrated with the unfavorable outcome. The individual returned to the institution in an attempt to hurt or harm employees, whom they feel are the source of his anger and frustration. The following are considerations for mitigation of potential workplace violence situations:

  • Having employees well trained in the recognition and identification of threatening behavior and conflict resolution in the workplace
  • Established plans for emergency evacuation and prepared crisis response team
  • Internal communication system to alert employees to significant incidents and external communication notifying first responders
  • Any significant resentment expressed by clients should be noted for potential concern interacting with client in the future
  • Increase access control of visitors to the workplace through the use of CCTV, initial screenings, verification and examination at reception area, scheduled visitations, the use of turnstiles, bag screening and escorting of visitors

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