National counter-terrorism
campaign is launched
'No call is a waste of time'
That is the key message of a national counter-terrorism campaign
launched across the UK on Monday 8 March 2010.
The public are being encouraged to pick up the phone and report
any activity or behaviour which is suspicious or out of the
ordinary to the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800
789 321.
The annual campaign will run for a month on national and
regional radio, in national and regional press and in a range of
magazines.
The advert includes a picture of what appears to be a normal
neighbourhood garage brimming with bottles of chemicals and boxes.
It asks the reader to consider what they see and questions whether
the garage is being used by a handyman, a pest controller - or
whether it is being used as storage by a bomb maker.
In addition to the adverts, leaflets are being delivered to around
four million homes across the country. The leaflet contains the
same garage images and also includes a list of suspicious
activities that residents should keep an eye out for.
While the threat of a terrorist attack in the United Kingdom
remains real and serious the advertising campaign has not been
launched in response to any specific threat.
DAC Stuart Osborne, Senior National Co-ordinator Counter
Terrorism and Head of the MPS Counter Terrorism Command stressed
that any information passed to the Anti-Terrorist Hotline is
treated in the strictest of confidence.
All information is thoroughly analysed and researched by
experienced officers, before, and if any, police action is
taken.
“Experience has shown us that terrorists do live alongside
us in our communities,” said DAC Osborne.
“While they will try and hide what they are doing they can
leave tell-tale signs behind and that is where the public can help
us by looking out for activity or behaviour which strikes them as
suspicious or out of the ordinary.
“We must not become complacent. We all have a responsibility
to remain vigilant. I would urge anyone who has any concerns about
possible terrorist-related activity to contact police through the
Anti-Terrorist Hotline.”
Det Supt Chris Greany, Head of Counter Terrorism at City
of London Police said:
"History has taught our community the importance of
vigilance in the fight against terrorism. By continuing to work
together we can help ensure the City remains a safe
place."