Run, Hide, Tell is the UK police’s advice for a firearms or weapons attack. Run to a place of safety if there is a safe route, leaving your belongings behind. If you can’t, hide behind solid cover, lock or barricade yourself in and silence your phone, including vibrate. Then tell the police by calling 999 when it is safe to do so. When armed police arrive, keep your hands visible and do what they tell you.
Updated 1 October 2026 · Sources: Counter Terrorism Policing (ProtectUK), MI5 threat levels, GOV.UK, Metropolitan Police, British Transport Police, Dorset Police.
Call 999 (or 112) as soon as it is safe. If you can’t speak, stay on the line: see how to make a silent 999 call. To report something suspicious that is not an emergency, call the anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321.
The three steps at a glance
Sources: ProtectUK “Run Hide Tell” (Counter Terrorism Policing, May 2026), ProtectUK “Action Counters Terrorism”, GOV.UK Security Minister statement (14 May 2026).
What does Run, Hide, Tell mean?
It is Counter Terrorism Policing’s three-step advice for anyone caught up in a firearms or weapons attack, whether in a street, shop, venue or station. Run if there is a safe way out. Hide if there isn’t. Tell the police by calling 999 when it is safe. Police forces across the UK, including Police Scotland and British Transport Police, promote the same advice.
What should you do if you can’t run?
Hide. Find cover that can withstand an attack: police warn that bullets can go through glass, brick, wood and metal, so look for solid, heavy, reinforced walls. Lock yourself in a room, barricade the door and move away from it. Be quiet, put your phone on silent and turn off vibrate. Avoid dead ends and bottlenecks, and keep an exit in mind.
What should you tell 999?
Only call when it is safe. The operator will guide you, but police say these five things help most. If you are hiding and can’t talk, stay on the line. Knowing how to tell 999 exactly where you are saves time.
1. What is happening
2. Where it is
3. Who and how many
4. Casualties
5. Building details
What should you do when armed police arrive?
Armed officers may not know at first who is an attacker and who is a victim. Keep your hands visible at all times so they can see you are unarmed. Do everything they tell you. Don’t make sudden movements or gestures that could look like a threat, and don’t shout or wave at them. Stay as calm as you can; they will move you to safety when they can.
Do and don’t: a quick scorecard
Based on Counter Terrorism Policing and police force guidance. Green ▲ = do it, amber ▬ = only if it is safe, red ▼ = avoid.
How do you report suspicious activity?
If it is happening now or someone is in danger, call 999. Otherwise report it online through Action Counters Terrorism or call the confidential anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321. Police say your identity is protected and you are not wasting their time. On trains, you can also text British Transport Police on 61016 for anything that isn’t an emergency. Not sure which number to use? See 999 or 101.
What is the UK terrorism threat level?
The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre, based within MI5, sets the national threat level. There are five levels: LOW, MODERATE, SUBSTANTIAL, SEVERE and CRITICAL. It was raised from SUBSTANTIAL to SEVERE on 30 April 2026, meaning an attack is highly likely. The government’s advice is to remain vigilant and report any concerns to the police. Levels are reviewed regularly, so check MI5’s website for the current one.
What is Martyn’s Law?
Martyn’s Law is the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, which got Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. It will require those responsible for certain larger venues and events across the UK to prepare for a terrorist attack, regulated by the Security Industry Authority. It is not in force yet: the implementation period is at least 24 months. Heading to a gig? See our festival and concert safety checklist.
Frequently asked questions
No. Police describe it as advice for any firearms or weapons attack, such as a shooting or a knife attack in a public place. The same three steps apply whatever the motive.
Get yourself safe first, then call. Police advice is to tell them by calling 999 when it is safe to do so. If you are hiding, keep your voice low or stay silent on the line.
The anti-terrorist hotline (0800 789 321) and the online ACT form are confidential, and police say your identity will be protected. To report online extremist content anonymously, police point to the iReportIt app.
Stay out of the area, follow police instructions and let family know you are safe. If you are with someone who is unresponsive but breathing and it is safe to help, the recovery position can protect their airway until paramedics arrive.
Sources
- ProtectUK (Counter Terrorism Policing): Run Hide Tell
- ProtectUK: Action Counters Terrorism, report suspicious activity
- MI5: terrorism threat levels
- GOV.UK: Security Minister statement on the threat level (14 May 2026)
- Dorset Police: Run. Hide. Tell. (including armed police advice)
- Metropolitan Police: staying safe from terrorism
- British Transport Police: staying safe from terrorism
- ProtectUK: Martyn’s Law
General safety information based on official police guidance, checked 1 October 2026. It is not a substitute for instructions from police or venue staff at the scene. In an emergency, always call 999.
Keep reading
Let the people you trust know where you are
In a crowd, your family’s first question is “are you safe?”. Safety App UK sends an SOS (by button, shake, or automatically in higher-crime zones) with your live location and live video to a trusted circle, and shows a live safety map from police data and community reports, with police stations and Ask for Angela venues, safer routes and Safe Zone alerts. It does not call the emergency services, so always dial 999 in an emergency. Free for 7 days, then £2.99 a month. For ages 16+.