Short-term responses:

• Obtain as much information as possible about the allegation: what is its source? Is it accurately reported in the media account? What is the evidence? What methodology was used? If these are faulty, prepare a brief statement setting out the facts.
• If you are a student, approach a relevant senior staff member and offer to be involved constructively.
• If you are a senior staff member, now is the time to call in your good relationships and support networks, not least with your Muslim students and staff, as well as any community contacts.
• If you are a senior staff member and have not had lines of communication with your Muslim students, begin now. Ask for their support in ensuring that Muslim students are not misrepresented by the press, and in keeping you informed of the views and needs of students on this matter.
• If you have supportive police contacts, ask for their help; perhaps they could supply you with a quotation for the press. If there is some substance to the allegation, ask their advice in managing the situation.
• Strive to create a positive partnership between supportive professionals amongst the police and your own student body. Seek common ground: what is in the best interests of everyone concerned? Get co-operation around achieving that.
• Agree a strategy with your external relations department, such as a press release if appropriate containing your factual account of the state of affairs on your campus, your rebuttal of the allegations, and quotations from students as well as senior management figures. Decide who will be available to handle requests for quotations or interviews from the press.

Medium-term responses:

• You will naturally want to determine if there is any substance to these allegations.
•  Adopt positive measures to ensure a healthy Muslim community on the campus.