Training

Counter Terrorism Awareness Week

by Mark Rowe

This week is Counter Terrorism Awareness Week 2015. It’s a campaign from the police and partners to inform the public about the terrorism threat; what is being done to tackle it; how communities can help, and offering practical advice about how to stay safe and be vigilant to the threat from terrorism whether at home, in business or online.

In the last year police report a 25pc increase in the number of calls to the freephone Anti-Terrorist Hotline. Police say they would rather take lots of calls which are made in good faith, but have innocent explanations – rather than not getting any at all. They are asking the public to look out for and report any suspicious activity: anything that seems out of place, unusual or just doesn’t seem to fit in with day-to-day life.

The authorities are advising the public not to be concerned about the things they are unable to control, but instead to focus on what they can do that will make a difference, and to make sure they know where to get information from the police in a crisis, whether it’s through social media or more traditional ways such as radio and TV. Visit the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) website at: www.gov.uk/nactso for more on how to stay safe and how to be vigilant against the threat from terrorism.

The threat in the UK is considered as ‘severe’, meaning an attack is highly likely. The authorities describe such a threat as complex that ranges from lone actors intent on carrying out crude and violent attacks to sophisticated networks pursuing ambitious and coordinated plots. Police advise to be alert, but not alarmed.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, Specialist Operations said: “The police service is working tirelessly to confront the terrorist threat we all face. To do this we need the help of the public. We need them to be alert, but not alarmed. I would also say, make sure you know where you can get information from the police in a crisis, whether it’s through social media or more traditional ways such as radio and TV.

“I would urge the public not to be concerned about things they are unable to control, but to focus instead on what they can do that will make a difference. Be vigilant and you could be the person who spots something odd or unusual and prevents an attack.

“Communities defeat terrorism, which is why the Police relationship with the public is so important and it now needs to be stronger than ever before. Police depend on the public to be our eyes and ears. We need everyone to be vigilant and to report any suspicious behaviour or activity to the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321 or in an emergency dial 999.”

Extremist or terrorist content online can be reported at www.gov.uk/report-terrorism.

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