by Chris Herdman BBC News website

Emergency planning exercises have taken place across Wales

While Wales is regarded as at lower risk of a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) attack than London, detailed emergency plans have been drawn up.

Police regard major events as potential targets and Cardiff was recently the scene of an anti-terrorist security operation when armed officers patrolled the city before the FA Cup final at the Millennium Stadium.

SITUATION AROUND THE UK

In a security operation unprecedented in Wales, road blocks were set up and vehicles searched in the build-up to May's final between Manchester United and Millwall.

Although no specific threat was made to the event itself, South Wales Police said the operation was in response to a heightened UK-wide alert.

As well as regular events at the 72,500-capacity Millennium Stadium, Wales is home to sites of heavy industry, several major ports, military bases and nuclear power stations.

In south Wales, heavy industry is centred on the M4 corridor, particularly around Newport, Cardiff and Swansea Bay.

Being pragmatic, there isn't the same level of risk of attack in Wales as in London Superintendent Lyn Adams, CBRN co-ordinator

In west Wales, there is a major oil refinery at Milford Haven, while north Wales is home to heavy industry on Deeside and a nuclear power station at Wylfa, on Anglesey.

The UK's main sea port to the Republic of Ireland is at Holyhead.

Military bases are also dotted around the country including RAF St Athan in south Wales and RAF Valley on Anglesey.

Events at the Millennium Stadium are regarded as at risk

Superintendent Lyn Adams, of North Wales Police, has been seconded to the Welsh Assembly Government for a year as CBRN co-ordinator.

He said the overall threat to Wales should not be exaggerated.

"Being pragmatic, there isn't the same level of risk of attack in Wales as in London," he said.

"For impact, would a terrorist choose to attack Heathrow Airport, or the Port of Holyhead?

"But we are confident that if there was an incident anywhere in Wales, the response would be quick."

Staged attack

Emergency services in Wales have already carried out exercises to test responses to terror attacks.

In February, Wrexham was the setting for Operation Damaged Dragon, which tested how emergency services would respond to a chemical attack.

A major security operation surrounded the 2004 FA Cup final

A controlled explosion was carried out at a factory, with around 250 people taking part in the exercise.

Supt Adams added: "In terms of emergency services, we are quite advanced in north Wales and in Wales as a whole.

"There are 76-86 officers in North Wales Police trained in CBRN response.

"The force is now highly-specialised and well-equipped.

"Plans across all agencies have been tested so they dovetail.

"For example, the Airwave project, which is being rolled out in north Wales, will ensure that radio communications across all the emergency services are compatible at the scene of an attack.

WALES POPULATION CENTRES (2001 census) Total: 2,903,085 Cardiff: 305,353 Swansea: 223,301 Newport: 137,011 Wrexham: 128,476 (County)

"But there would never just be a local response - in a major attack there would be UK-wide involvement."

The three Welsh fire brigades have been supplied with new Incident Response Units which carry large decontamination units.

The South Wales brigade had three, with two in Mid and West Wales and two in the North Wales brigade.

Wales' 22 councils have also drawn up their own plans to deal with attacks.

Don Norris, emergency planner for Flintshire Council, in north Wales, said progress was being made on how councils would respond.

'Contaminated environment'

He said: "Our preparedness is better than it has been, but we still have a long way to go from a local authority perspective.

"Police, fire and ambulance are ahead - they've had a lot of training.

"The emergency services would deal with the immediate incident, the local authority's role is to deal with what happens afterwards, like looking after evacuees and then returning the scene to normality.

Operation Damaged Dragon simulated an attack in Wrexham

"What we don't have at the moment is the ability to deal with a contaminated environment after the event.

"If there is a chemical attack, the local authority has to clean it up."

Although the UK Home Office is responsible for overall CBRN response strategy, the Welsh Assembly Government has a high level of involvement, particularly in areas such as health, which are devolved to Wales.

First Minister Rhodri Morgan chairs the Wales Resilience Forum, on which chief officers of emergency services, local authorities and other agencies meet to discuss emergency responses.

According to former South Wales Police chief superintendent Gerry Toms, emergency planning in Wales has improved in recent years.

He said: "Before September 11, if you asked me how many officers in Wales were trained to deal with a chemical attack, it would have been none.

"Since September 11, 3,500 officers UK-wide have been trained to deal with a chemical, biological or chemical incident. Some will be in Wales."

Mr Toms, who advises on security at major events, added: "Wales is no more at risk than any other part of the UK.

"But people must realise there is a UK threat and it would be foolish to be complacent.

"The reality is, an attack could happen in Wales."

This article is intended as an overview for Wales. For further information visit the related internet links on the right hand side of the page.