Police hotline to twart terrorists

SUSPICIOUS activity spotted by the public in Great Barr, Perry Barr and Kingstanding should be reported to a confidential hotline aimed at thwarting terrorists police have urged, with an attack in the country considered to be 'highly likely'.

A new nationwide campaign is being launched with the message 'if you suspect it, report it' with the Association of Chief Police Officers backing the scheme aimed at raising awareness of the hotline which is staffed by specialist officers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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 meaning a terrorist attack is highly likely to happen.

Police believe the public can play a vital part in providing information to help disrupt terrorists planning and are urging people to be vigilant and to report anything untoward.

West Midlands Police Acting Deputy Chief Constable Anil Patani said: "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 Anti-Terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321 can speak in confidence to discuss their concerns, although the hotline should not be used for emergencies 999 should be dialled.