The Government has released advice on what people should do in the event that they are caught up in a Paris-style gunman attack.

The instructions, from the National Counter Terrorism Policing Security Office, suggest anyone caught up in such an incident should try to “escape if you can” – and if this is not possible, to hide.

People who find themselves hiding are advised to put their mobile phones on silent and stay away from doors in case bullets are shot through them.

The advice, posted in a document on the official GOV.UK website suggests that once a person has escaped or hidden they should call 999 and give information to the police.

“Escape if you can, consider the safest routes,” the advice says. “Is there a safe route? Run – if not, hide. Can you get there without exposing yourself to greater danger?”

The docment recommends leaving belongings behind and insisting that other people leave with you as you escape.

It adds: “If you can’t run, hide. Find cover from gunfire; if you can see the attacker, they may be able to see you.

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“Cover from view does not mean you are safe, bullets go through glass, brick, wood, and metal. Find cover from gunfire e.g. substantial brickwork or heavy reinforced walls.

“Be aware of your exits, try not to get trapped, be quiet, silence your phone. Lock or barricade yourself in, and move away from the door.”

In pictures: Paris attacks Show all 25 1 /25 In pictures: Paris attacks In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks French police with protective shields walk in line near the Bataclan concert hall Reuters In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Rescuers evacuate an injured person on Boulevard des Filles du Calvaire AFP In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks French Vigipirate troops mobilize next to Place de la Bastille AFP In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks French soldiers mobilize near to the Place de la Bastille AFP In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Wounded people are evacuated outside the scene of a hostage situation at the Bataclan theatre EPA In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks People react as they gather to watch the scene near the Bataclan concert hall Reuters In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks French police secure the area outside a cafe near the Bataclan concert hall Reuters In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Rescuers workers evacuate victims near the Bataclan concert hall AFP In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks French Prime Minister Manuel Valls and French President Francois Hollande attending an emergency meeting at the Interior Ministry AFP In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Spectators invade the pitch of the Stade de France after explosions were heard outside AP In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks A man lies on the ground as French police check his identity near the Bataclan concert hall Reuters In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Police officers man a position close to the Bataclan theatre AFP In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Wounded people are evacuated from the Stade de France in Paris EPA In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Two men evacuate the Place de la Republique square in Paris as a police officer looks on AFP In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Football fans are evacuated from the Stade de France stadium In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks An armed police officer Dan Gabriel In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks The Stade de France is evacuated after reports of an explosion In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks A member of the French fire brigade aids an injured individual near the Bataclan concert hall In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Wounded people are evacuated from the Stade de France in Paris In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Police are seen outside a cafe in 10th arrondissement of the French capital Paris, In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Rescuers assist an injured man on Boulevard des Filles du Calvaire, close to the Bataclan concert hall AFP In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks The scene at a restaurant in 10th arrondissement In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks The Bataclan theatre - where around 100 people are thought be held hostage In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks The Stade de France as it was evacuated In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Forensic experts inspect the site of an attack outside the Stade de France stadium in Saint-Denis AFP

The advice also includes instructions on what to do when armed police arrive – and warns that officers may have trouble distinguishing between attackers and bystanders.

“Keep your hands in view,” the advice says. “Officers may point guns at you, treat your firmly, question you, be unable to distinguish you from the attacker.”

The advice is contained in a section of a wider document to help people secure their work premises in the event of an attack.

People in control of buildings are told to identify entry and exit points and to make sure staff are trained to know what to do in the event of a lockdown.

The document is accompanied by a short film called “Stay Safe”.

Security in the UK has been stepped up after Friday’s attack in Paris in which 129 people were killed.