sardonicus
16-03-2009, 07:53 AM
UK PUBLIC TOLD TO SPOT AND REPORT 'TERROR PLOTTERS'
An anti-terror campaign showing members of the public how to spot possible plotters is launched by the UK's biggest police force. Metropolitan police urging public to report activity that may be 'terrorism-related'. The Metropolitan police is running a press and radio campaign urging Londoners to report suspicious activity to the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321. The campaign calls on London's 8 million residents to pay particular attention to anyone suspicious who is buying chemicals, logging on to militant websites or carrying out surveillance of prominent buildings.
Its message is "DON'T RELY ON OTHERS. IF YOU SUSPECT IT, REPORT IT."
Deputy Assistant Commissioner John McDowall, head of the Met's Counter Terrorism Command and a senior national anti-terror co-ordinator said: "Terrorists can be stopped in their tracks if suspicious activity is passed to police. They will not succeed if people report something unusual they have seen while going about their daily lives.
"We want people to look out for the unusual - some activity or behaviour which strikes them as not quite right and out of place in their normal day to day lives - and to take responsibility for reporting it."
He said no piece of information would be considered "too small".
Mr McDowall said: "Terrorists live alongside us in our communities. They make their plans while doing all they can to blend in. They try to avoid raising suspicions about what they are up to."
Give-away signs include committing fraud to finance plots, buying large amounts of chemicals and studying security arrangements. He added: "I completely understand and appreciate that some people may have concerns or reservations about contacting the police - possibly they think their friends or family may find out, or they are worried that their suspicions may prove to have innocent explanations. But I can assure them that any information passed to the Anti-Terrorist Hotline is treated in the strictest of confidence. It is thoroughly analysed and researched by experienced officers before, and if, any police action is taken." (Press Association 16th March 2009).
The move comes a week after three killings by militants from breakaway factions of the IRA in Northern Ireland. In the past, the IRA and Republican splinter groups have carried out attacks on mainland Britain, as have Islamist militants.
= Problem, Reaction, Solution
An anti-terror campaign showing members of the public how to spot possible plotters is launched by the UK's biggest police force. Metropolitan police urging public to report activity that may be 'terrorism-related'. The Metropolitan police is running a press and radio campaign urging Londoners to report suspicious activity to the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321. The campaign calls on London's 8 million residents to pay particular attention to anyone suspicious who is buying chemicals, logging on to militant websites or carrying out surveillance of prominent buildings.
Its message is "DON'T RELY ON OTHERS. IF YOU SUSPECT IT, REPORT IT."
Deputy Assistant Commissioner John McDowall, head of the Met's Counter Terrorism Command and a senior national anti-terror co-ordinator said: "Terrorists can be stopped in their tracks if suspicious activity is passed to police. They will not succeed if people report something unusual they have seen while going about their daily lives.
"We want people to look out for the unusual - some activity or behaviour which strikes them as not quite right and out of place in their normal day to day lives - and to take responsibility for reporting it."
He said no piece of information would be considered "too small".
Mr McDowall said: "Terrorists live alongside us in our communities. They make their plans while doing all they can to blend in. They try to avoid raising suspicions about what they are up to."
Give-away signs include committing fraud to finance plots, buying large amounts of chemicals and studying security arrangements. He added: "I completely understand and appreciate that some people may have concerns or reservations about contacting the police - possibly they think their friends or family may find out, or they are worried that their suspicions may prove to have innocent explanations. But I can assure them that any information passed to the Anti-Terrorist Hotline is treated in the strictest of confidence. It is thoroughly analysed and researched by experienced officers before, and if, any police action is taken." (Press Association 16th March 2009).
The move comes a week after three killings by militants from breakaway factions of the IRA in Northern Ireland. In the past, the IRA and Republican splinter groups have carried out attacks on mainland Britain, as have Islamist militants.
= Problem, Reaction, Solution