Counter-terror police have briefed hundreds of people on how to guard against attacks – amid warnings the north-east is a prime target for fanatics.
One expert said last night businesses would be “burying their heads in the sand” if they believed the region was immune to the sort of atrocities seen in Paris and Nice.
Police have also vowed to step-up “awareness training” in schools as part of a nationwide strategy to identify youngsters at risk of radicalisation.
A new report prepared for Aberdeen City Council reveals officers in the north-east division delivered “inputs and briefings” to more than 750 people in the past year under UK Government’s CONTEST anti-terror strategy.
It includes four elements, prepare, protect, prevent and pursue – “the investigation and disruption of terrorist attacks”.
The report to members of the local authority’s infrastructure committee says Police Scotland’s north-east division delivered 59 CONTEST-based inputs and briefings to more than 750 individuals between April 2015 and March this year.
It also reveals Local CONTEST Liaison Officers (LCLO’s) have been allocated to city policing teams.
It added: “These staff link directly with schools, faith groups and iconic locations as awareness raising is focussed on vulnerable groups.
In April, the Press and Journal revealed that councils across the north-east had started their PREVENT training of teachers, social workers and other professionals to help spot the signs of radicalisation.
The city’s Robert Gordon University (RGU) runs a course called “Protect and prepare: securing your business” which aims to equip local companies with the tools to keep their firms safe from attacks.
Moira Bailey, who leads the course, said: “We aim to provide information so that businesses are prepared and know what to do.
“My background is in HR so it’s important that people know the impact that even a hoax can have on the staff morale at a business.
“Also, these days, workers can be got to and even recruited by a potential terrorist and go into work.
“It’s important that people can spot some of these signs. ”
She added that the north-east faced particular threats.
She said: “We have the St Fergus gas terminal here, big oil company headquarters, if you don’t think there is a particular threat you have your head in the sand.”
Adrian Watson, chief executive of business improvement body Aberdeen Inspired, said firms “can’t be complacent”.
The former Aberdeen divisional commander for Police Scotland said: “It is integral for them to ensure they are vigilant and staff ought to have a basic awareness of this issue.
“I know only too well and have personal knowledge of the training provided by RGU and Police Scotland and it is considered to be a very worthwhile product for businesses in this city.
“The importance of having someone in your organisation trained and ready to co-ordinate your organisation’s response to a threat is crucial.”
Alex Johnstone, Conservative MSP for the north-east, said: “While we hope that we never have to deal with a terrorist incident, recent history has shown that young people in Aberdeen are not immune to radicalisation.
“The north-east area is also strategically important in terms of the UK oil and gas industry and it is vital that businesses remain vigilant.”