Counter Terrorism Policing Unit urges everyone to remain vigilant this festive season

AS the festive season gets underway, the Counter Terrorism Policing is encouraging everyone to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious.

Report Suspicious Activity: If you’ve seen or heard something that could potentially be related to terrorism, trust your instincts and report it. Your actions could save lives.

Report Online: It only takes a moment to make a report online. In an emergency, or if you need urgent police assistance, you should always dial 999. You can also report suspicious activity by contacting the police in confidence on 0800 789 321. Every year thousands of reports from the public help the police keep communities safe from terrorism.

What should I report? Like other criminals, terrorists need to plan. They need to prepare, buy and store materials, and find ways to fund their activities. Much of this is done in view of the public.

Report any of the below activity if you believe it to be suspicious or cause threat.

Research:  Do you know someone who travels but is vague about where they are going? Do you know someone with multiple passports in different names? Do you know someone who looks at extremist material? Or shares or creates content that glorifies terrorism? Have you noticed somebody promoting hateful ideas or extremist views?

Gathering Materials: Have you noticed someone receiving deliveries for unusual items? If you work in commercial vehicle hire or sales, has a sale or rental seemed unusual? Have you noticed someone buying large amounts of chemicals or gas cylinders for no reason? Have you noticed someone acquiring illegal firearms?

Storing Materials: Have you noticed anyone storing large amounts of chemicals, fertilisers, or gas cylinders for no reason? Have you noticed anyone storing firearms which could be used for an attack?

Hostile Reconnaissance: Observation and surveillance help terrorists plan attacks. Have you noticed anyone taking photos and observing CCTV or security arrangements?

Financing: Cheque and credit card fraud are ways of generating cash. Have you noticed any unusual bank transactions?

What should I do if I find terrorist or violent extremist content online? If you see online graphic or violent extremist material or content that supports, directs or glorifies terrorism please report it using the anonymous online reporting form.

Terrorists use the internet to provoke individuals to carry out attacks in the UK with one post or video having the power to influence vulnerable people and inspire extremists and terrorists. This is why it is important to tackle online terrorism. Report content such as:

Speeches or essays calling for racial or religious violence.
Videos of violence with messages in praise of terrorists.
Postings inciting people to commit acts of terrorism or violent extremism.
Messages intended to stir up hatred against any religious or ethnic group.
Bomb-making instructions.
Advice on how to obtain or make weapons.

Advice To Stay Safe: While the chances of being caught up in a terrorist incident remain rare, it is important to be prepared and know how to protect yourself if the need arises. Counter Terrorism Policing has released guidance that sets out three key steps for keeping safe in the event of a firearms or weapons attack. If you are caught up in an incident the advice is to ‘Run, Hide and Tell’ – guidance which can be applied to many places and situations. From case studies and testimony of people who have survived attacks this advice can save lives.