Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what procedures her Department has in place for victims of hostage-taking; and whether she plans to develop safeguarding guidance for public authorities and staff.

The Home Office takes the risk of hostage taking very rather seriously.

Depending on the circumstances, our operational partners have the capability and would respond to the immediate crises. We then have clear policies to support victims of crime and vulnerable people, depending on specific needs.

In response to any terrorist attack, the Victims of Terrorism Unit (VTU) co-ordinates effective and comprehensive support to victims of terrorism. The VTU define a victim of terrorism as anyone who feels impacted, either physically or mentally, by a terrorist attack, including bereaved family and friends, witnesses and first responders.

Victims of Terrorism are provided with practical and emotional support from specialist service providers, enabling them to cope with the immediate impact of a terrorist attack and to recover from the longer-term consequences.

The VTU has developed a Local Authority (LA) Toolkit, to help LAs to support victims of terrorism. In the aftermath of an attack, the VTU will work with the area affected to ensure that victims receive the support they need.