The Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing Helen Ball is launching a national campaign aimed at starting the conversation about protecting young people from the dangers of travelling to Syria. Events have been held across the UK including at New Scotland Yard, to encourage women to reach out to other women who are concerned about young people who may be planning to travel to Syria. A leaflet has also been designed which outlines the risks of travelling to the country.
She said: ‘We are increasingly concerned about the numbers of young people who have or are intending to travel to Syria to join the conflict. We want to ensure that people, particularly women, who are concerned about their loved ones, are given enough information about what they can do to prevent this from happening. We want to increase their confidence in the police and partners to encourage them to come forward so that we can intervene and help. This is not about criminalising people it is about preventing tragedies. We want to inform those who wish to genuinely help the Syrian cause how they can do so safely and legally.’
An ACPO advice document about travel to Syria is on the Met Police website.
