Launch of nationwide campaign for Anti-Terrorist Hotline
POLICE in the West Midlands are urging the public to call a confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline if they suspect suspicious activity.
The appeal comes at the start of a nationwide campaign – funded by the Association of Chief Police Officers – to raise awareness of the number, which is staffed 24/7 by specialist officers.
Although the initiative has not been launched as a result of any specific threat, the security level across the country was upgraded to ‘severe’ in January and police believe the public can play a vital part in providing information that could help disrupt terrorist planning.
West Midlands Police Acting Deputy Chief Constable Anil Patani said: “The security situation is categorised as severe – meaning a terrorist attack is highly likely – and it is the responsibility of everyone to help keep our communities safe.
“The threat from all types of terrorism and violent extremism continues and we cannot afford to be complacent. We have seen that terrorists can strike anywhere at any time, so everyone needs to play their part.
“Calls from the public have proved vital in the past so we would much rather people ring the Anti-Terrorist Hotline and it turn out to be nothing for us to worry about, than us risk missing something important.”
Callers to the hotline can speak in confidence to officers to discuss their concerns.
Police said the number should not be used for emergencies.
Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.
