A former head of Scotland Yard’s counter-terrorism unit has expressed concern that the UK government is not adequately preparing the country for the possibility of a significant attack from Russia. Dominic Murphy, who stepped down from his role earlier this year, has called on ministers to engage in a transparent dialogue with the public about the realities of war or a major emergency and the need for individual and community preparedness.

In an opinion piece published Sunday, Murphy stressed that citizens and businesses should be given clear guidance on what to expect if critical infrastructure — such as power, water, communication, and transport networks — were compromised. He emphasized the importance of setting public expectations for such scenarios, citing practical considerations such as communication failures, safe meeting points for families, and stockpiling non-perishable food.

Murphy specifically questioned the government’s readiness to address potential disruptions to telecommunications, noting that people often assume they can contact loved ones during crises but may face total communication blackouts. “Have you agreed a safe place to convene with your family? Without refrigerator power, do you have enough non-perishable food to last until it is safe to go outside?” he asked.

His warnings come amid escalating tensions between the UK and Russia, with particular concern about the vulnerability of the nation’s undersea internet cables and energy pipelines to sabotage or attack. Murphy pointed to measures taken by other European countries as examples, noting that Sweden has distributed informational pamphlets encouraging families to store food and collect water containers in preparation for emergencies.

He asserted that the public can handle frank discussions about risks better than officials often expect, and cautioned that failing to communicate candidly leaves a vacuum often filled by misinformation.

The UK government has not yet responded publicly to Murphy’s remarks, and it remains unclear whether any new public preparedness campaigns will be launched as geopolitical tensions continue to rise.