Emergency and security arrangements at Dounreay

Security

NRS Dounreay is a closed and highly secure nuclear site located on the north coast of Scotland, currently undergoing complex decommissioning. Security at Dounreay is a multi-layered, intelligence-led function that supports the safe decommissioning of the site. It is underpinned by regulatory compliance, armed policing, and a proactive security culture that recognises the unique risks associated with nuclear materials and infrastructure.

Multi-layered security regime

Security at Dounreay is governed by the Nuclear Industries Security Regulations 2003 (NISR 2003) and enforced through robust, site-specific security plans approved by the Office for Nuclear Regulation - Civil Nuclear Security. These plans are designed to counter a full spectrum of threats, including espionage, sabotage, terrorism, and insider risk.

Armed policing and tactical response

The site is permanently protected by the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) -a highly trained, specialist armed police force with a national remit to protect civil nuclear infrastructure. CNC officers at Dounreay are equipped with advanced weaponry, surveillance tools, and rapid response capabilities. Their presence provides a visible and credible deterrent to any hostile actor.

Fortified physical security

Dounreay’s physical security infrastructure is extensive and continuously monitored. It includes:

• multiple secure perimeters with anti-intrusion barriers
• 24/7 CCTV and detection systems
• controlled access points
• hardened facilities and secure zones for sensitive operations

These systems are integrated into a centralised command and control structure, ensuring immediate detection and coordinated response to any breach attempt.

Security culture and vigilance

Security at Dounreay is not just a system - it’s a culture. All personnel are trained to maintain a high level of situational awareness and are encouraged to report any suspicious behaviour or anomalies immediately. This “If it feels wrong, report it now – think security” culture is reinforced through regular exercises, briefings, and security campaigns, ensuring that every individual on site contributes to its protection.

Emergency arrangements

Emergency planning is an important part of the defence-in-depth approach to managing the site’s radiological and chemical hazards.

The site has well-rehearsed emergency arrangements to safeguard the workforce, public and environment in the event of an emergency.

The site’s emergency plan is an important part of the operational safety arrangements, and describes how the site will respond to an emergency. It is a requirement under UK regulations and the arrangements are regulated by ONR.

Exercises are held routinely to demonstrate the adequacy of these arrangements and enable key personnel to practice and rehearse their roles.

In the event of an emergency at Dounreay, Police Scotland will inform the public about what is happening and any precautions that may be necessary. Police Scotland also takes the lead in the release of information to the media during an emergency.

Other external organisations will have key roles to perform in an emergency at Dounreay. The response of those organisations is summarised in the off-site emergency plan produced by the Highland Council. The off-site emergency plan, containing advice on what to do in the event of an emergency at Dounreay or Vulcan can be viewed here.

The detailed emergency planning zone (DEPZ) is the area around the site where public protection measures are planned in detail in advance. The boundary reflects the worst-case radiation emergency that can be reasonably foreseen, resulting in potential exposure of the public to 1 millisieverts or more of radiation (the average annual exposure to a member of the public from all sources of radiation is 2.2 millisieverts).

The Dounreay emergency plan and the Highland Council off-site plan were revised in 2025 to meet the requirements of the Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2019 (REPPIR).