Risk and resilience expert Professor Hannah Cloke has said people across the UK are "right to be concerned" about potential crises and should ensure they have six key items at home. Speaking on Channel 4 News, she warned that Britain could face a number of grave threats, which may leave many wishing they had prepared sooner.
Government warnings and cyber attacks
The comments follow a series of warnings from UK Government officials urging people to stockpile items in the wake of the latest cyber attack. Several UK meat suppliers reported that their fridges heated up after being impacted by cyber attacks targeting software used by supermarkets and food suppliers across Europe this week. Some members saw fridge systems begin to defrost, and another saw their unit rise up to 100C in temperature.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has been warning people in the UK to stockpile items for crises, be they cyber attacks, extreme weather or other unforeseeable events. He issued an urgent warning urging people to stockpile nine essential items, cautioning that emergencies can strike at any moment. The UK Government this summer said it will soon publish a key plan over resilience and how the country will cope with major problems.
Expert advice on preparation
Professor Cloke outlined several issues that could flare up and severely disrupt daily life, including cyber attacks, floods, El Niño, heatwaves and security alerts. She said: "It's right to be concerned. So, that's an important difference from not being frightened, but being concerned. And that means thinking about something before it happens is the right thing to do. Being frightened and anxious is not necessary because we can prepare for things."
She added: "We can plan ahead of time if we think about what might happen. So there's a subtle difference there and there are lots of things we can do. We've been hearing things about cyber attacks, security, flood risk, heatwave risk, and things, but the principles behind preparing for all of those things are the same."
Over the weekend, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting encouraged Britons to stock up on tinned food, bottled water and cash in readiness for potential conflict or natural disaster. He stated the UK needed to embrace a "whole society approach" to preparedness and resilience, while also cautioning that Britain faces a "greater risk of war" with Russia than at any other point during his lifetime.
Essential items to stockpile
Professor Cloke's list of six essential items includes: a grab bag for those at risk of flooding, a wind-up radio for power cuts or internet outages, a month's supply of medications, bottled water and long-lasting food, a torch, and batteries.
She suggested that those at risk from extreme weather events, such as flooding, should consider a straightforward option: "You see time and time again people who are not prepared really suffer when that flood hits. Just making really simple preparations like having a grab bag to go in your home with your important documents, some spare medicine, and stuff for any children that you've got like babies can make a massive difference to how you deal with that flood coming towards you."
Regarding what people ought to do immediately, Professor Cloke outlined several practical steps. She said: "First thing is again build resilience into your home. So have a little bit of bottled water, some food that's long-lasting, definitely supplies of medicines. People forget that all the time. If you are taking medication, just have like one month ahead so that you can prepare if you just can't access that information for any reason."
She added: "Make sure you would know what to do if the electricity went off or the water went off. And so in my house I've got one of those little wind-up radio things that you can charge your phone with, and it's got a torch on it as well. It's a really simple piece of kit and it's quite long-lasting and you've just got it just in case of that emergency."
She also advised talking to neighbours, particularly vulnerable ones who might be older or have disabilities, to build a support network. She stressed there is no need for panic buying or clearing supermarket shelves, adding: "So, a nice calm preparation is what's required. So, it's that British advice of keep calm and carry on."
National Cyber Security Centre and Red Cross guidance
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has urged people to go out and buy key items. Head of the NCSC Dr Richard Horne was asked if the attack reinforces warnings from the Defence Secretary that people in the UK should stockpile. He said: "Absolutely. And we saw criminal attacks last year impact retailers in the UK. We know it can happen, and we've seen it across Europe. We alert people. We intervene where we can. But, at the end of the day, it's your business. It's your charity. It's your life. You need to make the choice and choose wisely."
The Red Cross has also listed core emergency items every household should consider keeping in an emergency kit, including: a paper copy of important contact numbers, a mobile phone charger and portable power bank, cash for essentials, a torch and spare batteries, a battery-powered or wind-up radio, essential medication and copies of prescriptions, a basic first aid kit, hand sanitiser and wet wipes, three days' supply of drinking water, three days' supply of long-life or ready-to-eat food, a tin opener, copies of important documents stored in a waterproof bag, and pen and paper.
It is not just ordinary members of the public who have been urged to act in preparation for a potential Russian attack. Security Minister Dan Jarvis revealed on Friday that he will be holding private briefings with firms responsible for critical infrastructure. The sessions will detail how Moscow employs digital intrusions, physical sabotage plots and coordinated information warfare to further its objectives. The Security Minister said: "Strong defences are built on a clear understanding of the threat. That's why I'll be chairing this briefing, to share world-class intelligence with some of the most important organisations in the country to ensure they understand and are prepared for the threats we face."
