Stock up for war

Britons were today told to stock up on batteries, bottled water, tinned food and blankets as the Government set out its advice for dealing with a major terrorist attack.

The advice on the Home Office website - the first official word from ministers - came on the eve of a military strike on Iraq.

Ministers made it clear there is no specific intelligence of a threatened attack, but there are concerns that the opening shots of a war on Iraq might inspire a terrorist backlash against Britain or the US.

A Home Office source said: "Be alert, but not alarmed, is what we have always said. We are absolutely not saying, 'Go out and start panic buying.' It's about giving people advice to be prepared for any eventuality, not just terrorism, but emergency protection generally."

The Home Office says people should not buy protective suits or gas masks and the website seeks to reassure people concerned there may be an attack while their children are at school. "Local police will work with schools to ensure they are protected," it says.

The guidance says householders "should have on hand" items such as batteries, a torch, a battery-powered or wind-up radio, tinned food, bottled water and blankets.

Telephone numbers of local police, council, utility companies and family members should also be kept in one place.

"Make sure you know where the main switches for electricity, water and gas are located in your home, as you may need to turn them off in an emergency," the website adds. "Continue to go about your day-today business in the normal way, but remain alert and vigilant."

The advice urges the public to keep an eye out for suspect bags, packages or vehicles and for people acting suspiciously at stations or airports. "Trust your instincts: if you feel something is wrong, ring the police," it adds.

In the event of a terror attack, the website advises: "If you are at the site of an incident, follow the instruction of the emergency services. If it is a major incident and you are not in the area, our advice is to 'go in, stay in, tune in'.

The Home Office does not believe it is sensible to issue a leaflet to every household and makes clear that if specific action is necessary, advice will be issued immediately through radio and television. It adds: "To give detailed advice in advance of how to handle every potential threat would be misleading and unhelpful. Worse, it could lead to confusion in an actual incident - the advice given for one type of situation might be wrong in different circumstances."

The website says that in spite of health authorities stockpiling smallpox vaccinations, the jabs will not be made available through GPs.

It also makes clear that London has lived with the threat of terrorism for 30 years and has stepped up security since September 11.

The advice stops a long way short of the "protect and survive" style guidance issued in America on how to cope with chemical, biological and nuclear attacks. In its 56-page report - Are You Ready? - the US Department of Homeland Security told Americans to prepare a "safe room" in their homes and stock up at least three days' supply of food and bottled water.

Information on terrorism can be found at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/ terrorism, ukresilience.info and londonprepared.gov.uk.