Police launch nationwide “Escape. Hide. Tell.” awareness push for crowded places

New Zealand Police has released a new set of resources to help the public and businesses prepare for the unlikely event of an armed attack in a crowded place, reinforcing a simple life-saving message: Escape. Hide. Tell. New Zealand Police

Assistant Commissioner Mike Johnson says planning and preparation matter. The aim is that none of us will ever need this information, but people should know what to do if the worst happens. The guidance is clear: move quickly and quietly away from danger, stay out of sight with your phone silenced, then call 111 when it is safe. New Zealand Police

Police developed the campaign with the Crowded Places Business Advisory Group and the Crowded Places Community Advisory Group. Business and community leaders backing the rollout say crowded venues are where we gather, celebrate and connect, and that staying vigilant and remembering the three words could make a real difference. Westfield’s owner Scentre Group will display “Escape. Hide. Tell.” messages across digital screens in its centres. New Zealand Police

What counts as a crowded place
Police defines crowded places as locations that large numbers of people can access easily and predictably, such as shopping centres, transport hubs, places of worship, entertainment venues, events, busy streets and parks. Crowd density can vary by time of day or season. New Zealand Police

Where to learn more and how to report
Police has a dedicated information hub that explains the strategy, provides checklists for owners and operators, and offers multilingual public guidance. It also repeats the three core actions: Escape, Hide and Tell. New Zealand Police
In an emergency call 111. For non-urgent information use 105 online or by phone, visit a local station, or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. New Zealand Police

Sources and further reading:
New Zealand Police news release “Working together to keep Crowded Places safe and advice on what to do in the unlikely event of an attack.” New Zealand Police
New Zealand Police hub “Protecting crowded places from attack,” including Escape. Hide. Tell. resources. New Zealand Police

Note: This article summarises official Police guidance for public awareness. For the most up-to-date details, always refer to New Zealand Police.

Reference : https://www.police.govt.nz/node/82457