Call for local residents to support fight against terrorism

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Local residents 'are being urged to report suspicious activity and behaviour to help Cheshire police tackle terrorism.

The second phase of the 'ACT – Action Counters Terrorism' campaign has been launched today (Tuesday 20th March) which helps the public spot signs of terrorist attack planning methods.

The national campaign has been launched today on the 25th anniversary of the IRA terrorist bombing in Warrington.

David said: "Sadly, 25 years on from the terrorist attack which claimed the lives of two innocent boys in Cheshire, terrorism is more of a threat than ever to people going about their everyday lives.

"The public can help us defeat terrorism by reporting suspicious activity or behaviour which can give police intelligence to foil terrorist plots and help save lives.

"Following last year's unprecedented rise in terrorist activity, record numbers of people contacted the police via the online reporting form or confidential helpline to report their suspicions.

"This resulted in more than a fifth of reports being used as intelligence by police in the fight against terrorism."

Research carried out by Counter Terrorism Policing suggests that while more than 80 per cent of people are motivated to report suspicious activity or behaviour, many are unclear exactly what they should be looking for.

As part of the campaign launch, a new 60-second film based on real life foiled plots has been released. It shows examples of terrorist-related activity, as well as attack planning methods.

"If you see or hear something unusual or suspicious, trust your instincts and report it", added David.

"It could be someone buying or storing chemicals, fertilisers or gas cylinders for no obvious reasons, or receiving deliveries for unusual items. It could be someone embracing extremist ideology, or searching for such material online.

"Any piece of information, no matter how small, could make the difference between a lethal attack or a successful disruption."

As well as reporting suspicious activity to Cheshire police via 999 or 101, Cheshire residents can also use the online reporting tool (gov.uk/ACT).

All reports can be made anonymously. This information is then used by UK Counter Terrorism Police and local forces in their investigations.

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Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Chris Jones
Tuesday 20th March 2018 at 7:25 pm
I did happen to report extremist material on the internet to Cheshire Police some three years ago.
There was an abundance of useful information on how to go about an attack, what sort of knife to use so as not to hurt yourself etc.
Guess what, it’s still there. This is even after Cheshire police setting up a body to tackle hate crime. (Hate crime- A law set up to silence the victim so the Government and Police don’t have to deal with the problem). One rule for one springs to mind.
Value for money though is Cheshire police, a 7.3% increase in council tax isn’t enough should be 73.
Tony Haluradivth
Tuesday 20th March 2018 at 8:00 pm
If you are able to give us a clue to the site I am sure quite a few of us here would report it Chris too. The Parsons Green bomber had been flagged and was on a de-radicalisation programme but was allowed to go in his merry way his heart filled with hatred for us in the West. I am sure they (the Police) trod carefully so they did not offend him or threaten his "yuman rights" and all that ;((
Chris Jones
Wednesday 21st March 2018 at 9:06 am
Hi Tony,
No problem and it’s certainly not as difficult as some may think to find. Simply type in google the four letter acronym of the terrorist group of the moment followed by magazine ,no particular site just freely available . I reported this at issue two I think, it’s now at ten. Ridiculous isn’t it.
‘ The Barcelona declaration’ is also worth a glance.
Tony Haluradivth
Wednesday 21st March 2018 at 6:56 pm
Thanks Chris I will have a look at that. Freedom of the Press and all that as well as not infringing the poor subscribers "human rights". It is a complete joke isn't it.