(Guys this will have to be my last large article for SUK for now, I'm fed up with the poo flying around on online forums, I just want a quieter life when I use forums, I think some folks just post either to flame, incite or because they think they have to comment on everything, which if that's what they want to do so be it, I just need less hassle, respects NR)
Reduce the risk of becoming a victim of terrorism or violence in an urban environment.
Terrorists religous, nationalist and political, extremists of all persuations attacking their designated enemies, Violent attacks, threats and intimidation from violent political activists such as Trade union militants, student union groups, anarchist groups, socialist worker / communist groups, anti immigration groups, pro immigration groups, rampaging sports fans (normally soccer), social minority groups like in Tottenham 2010, vigilante lynch mobs, strikers, specific cause activists (animal rights, nationalists etc) all offer the potential for violence and criminality.
After THSF you will probably be able to add to those categories when just about everyone who has not prepped will be on the rampage looking for food, fuel, medicine, loot, revenge and someone else to blaim. In parts of Asia and South America there has been violent riots recently over price rises in state controlled fuel prices, water prices and availability, grain prices, anti government corruption, national insurance contributions, cuts in public transport, theft of communal owned mineral wealth etc. In the UK many use violence for violences sake and others use it as a form of negotiation.
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Where possible
Avoid large urban connurbations totally, most targets of choice are large cities, towns and places where people gather in numbers. its not easy for URBAN preppers who chose to stay in cities or cannot reocate for other reasons.
If you are living in cities vary your commuter routes, shopping habits and liesure event locations and dates to reduce the risk of being tagged and targetted.
Avoid like the plague the BIG transit hubs like City terminus stations, Coach station interchanges and large International airports.
In the unfortunate case you are injured or taken ill in a city, especially if its a multiple casualty incident it MAY repeat MAY be more prudent to know the location(s) of smaller
A & E and Trauma centres because the cities PRIMARY emengency centres may be overwhelmed with casulaties and TRIAGE and LONG WAITs may be in operation. You need to consider the extra distance and time factor involved in reaching the small trauma centers.
If you can get your grocery and other shoping ONLINE use that rather than go into large towns, if you MUST go out shopping look for smaller shopping centres rather than the big regional shopping plazas. If you do going to buy expensive fashionable bling type stuff ensure its packaged in bland non descript packaging so as to not attract jelous eyes.
Send your kids to smaller schools and preferably non denominational schools. Investigate closely BEFORE you send your kids if their is history of violent animosity between schools in that area, In London and Birmingham children have died as a result of wearing the 'wrong' school uniform on a bus or in the wrong nighbourhood. If the school like a growing number has recently installed metal detectors at the school gates be careful, that tells you there already is a problem in that school
Look at threats from BOTH possible view points, on the one hand a peaceful protest MAY turn violent, or a counter protest with violent intent may attack the first group, then on top of that the police response MAY involve kettling, baton charges, riot gas deployed etc and the cutting off of public transport systems in the affected area.
Dont use public transport, apart from being expensive, dirty and unreliable, many are prone to industrial action at short notice, and they are easy targets of choice for criminals and terrorists alike.
NOTE* If terrorism or organised violent protest occurs as seen in Paris and london in recent years not only do the authorities use delaying kettling, but they have stopped all public transport AND turned off the mobile phone networks in the affected areas. You need to plan on alternatives such as if their is a group of you taking PMR radios with you.
Dont forget to ensure everyone in your party know where the pre agreed rendezvous places are and how to get to them.
Do consider if budget allows consider buying knife or slash resistant outer garments especially for the families teens as crimes involving blades and kids is getting damn to often.
BUT if you MUST use PT often you can alight an INTERCITY transport service short of the major hub or terminus and hop local rapid transit systems thus reducing the risk from being targetted in a major incident. If you must use PT for gods sake LOOK before you board to see if its full of thugs, drunk sports fans, or other indiviuals who may be extremists.
Check the TRAFFIC & WEATHER reports to see if disruptive weather is affecting things at your target destination.
Check the NEWS TV, Radio and ONLINE to see if extremists have THREATENED action at your chosen destination, the final choice and responsibilty is then of course YOURS
Again if the draw of the bright city lights is unavoidable then PREP properly and check to see if strikes are forcast, look at see if large protests are planned, what out for large sports events especially local Derby matches (especially in the NE when the Tynesiders get whupped again by the Wearsiders AGAIN AND AGAIN
).
Some liesure events can be MASSIVE and attract huge crowds like ROCK CONCERTS, Party In The Parks, Major Charity events like the Marathon and Half Marathons these great social gatherings can raise millions for good causes but also can and do attract the seedier aspects of life. Gridlock is common, utilies overwhelmed, and disruption can go on for hours so planning is paramount. BUT Dont forget MULTIPLE ALTERNATIVE BUG OUT OPTIONS, study escape routes that generally the masses would not think about (dont follow the crowd)
In very large shopping malls like Bluewater or Metro centre or Meadowhall etc there are maintence and staff only areas, IF TSHTF ignore the social norms of doors marked FIRE ESCAPE, STAFF ONLY, GOODS Only and get the hell out ASAP via any route available, dont wait for an invite to save your own life. If alarms start ringing and escape doors start automatically opening dont use LIFTS or Escalators if its a fire it could surge or blast though an elivator shaft or escalator base and catch you out.
Keep calm, dont panic, dont follow a stampede of panicking people, look for safe exists or shelters. Large indoor malls DO have emergency lighting but if the building is filling with smoke or debris dust an EDC flashlight could be a lifesaver.
FOOTNOTE
As I created this document I became aware that the French government and UK government now believe that ISIL will use NBC weapons in western cities if they can obtain or make improvided versions, this requires a completely different threat and response analysis for preppers.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...d-out.html
http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/6205...emical-war
Addition, Apparently Corporate screw ups can also jeopardise things for preppers in cities, its reported this evening that for example on the Tyne & Wear Metro on its busiest day of the year the Great North run event, when huge numbers of people come to run or watch this massive event the owners DB actually ran LESS trains than they do on a normal day. They actually CUT the number of train services on the day it needed another 100 to 150,000 spaces on its trains. this caused chaos as people queued for hours to get to and from the event.
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Reduce the risk of becoming a victim of terrorism or violence in an urban environment
