'They can strike any time': Five-year-olds given terror attack advice
Find cover from gunfire, tot up casualty numbers and watch out for backpacks, knives and explosives - this was the chilling advice given to children as young as five years old at a St John Ambulance cadets group in the Black Country.
Youngsters were handed a letter telling them how to react in the event of a potential terrorist attack at the St John Ambulance Badger Sett cadets in Sedgley Road, Sedgley.
Up to 30 youngsters aged from 5-16 were given the two-sided A4 document. It references the Paris terror attacks and explains that 'terrorists can strike anywhere at any time'.
The letter contains guidance on what action to take 'if you find yourself involved in an incident involving roaming gunmen who may also use explosives and/or knives, as well as firearms'.
One parent told the Express & Star her young child had been left so petrified after reading the letter that she had refused to return to the cadets over fears of 'people with guns'.
The letter warns: "The current threat level in the UK is severe, which means that an attack is highly likely."
It explains how to spot different types of guns and offers advice on hiding from terrorists and monitoring their manoeuvres.
Readers are asked to 'assist police' by keeping lookout to see if any hostages have been taken and whether gunmen are reloading their weapons.
It says: "On arrival police will treat everyone as suspects until they are certain otherwise. They shout at you, point guns at you and treat you very firmly."
St John Ambulance says the letter was handed out 'in error'. The charity has apologised for any upset caused.
Gemma Clark, aged 32, from Tipton, said she was stunned when her six-year-old daughter started reading the letter out from the booster seat in the back of her car on the way home from the venue.
"I heard her mention the word 'terrorist' and then she started talking about big and small guns," she said.
"I was mortified. I read the letter myself and just couldn't believe what I was reading. Does a six-year-old really need to know that terrorism is rife?
"She used to love going to cadets but doesn't want to go anymore. She thinks people with guns are going to turn up. We're supposed to be going to Disneyland in March but she says she is scared to go.
"She asked me if there will be people there with guns and are they going to shoot her."
St John Ambulance spokeswoman Bijal Patel said: "We apologise for any upset caused to all of the young volunteers who received the letter and their parents.
"The letter was given to the Badgers in error and this should not have happened. We have set out clearly for all our Badger and Cadet leaders what information is appropriate to pass on to our young people to prevent this from happening again."
