New hotline calls on residents to help defeat terrorism

RESIDENTS have been urged to call a 24-hour police hotline if they suspect terrorist activity in their neighbourhood.

Staffordshire Police wants to highlight the importance of making a call to the Anti-Terrorist Hotline if homeowners are suspicious of incidents or individuals on their estates.

The appeal comes at the start of a nationwide campaign, funded by the Association of Chief Police Officers, to raise awareness of the confidential hotline service.

The scheme, which is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by specialist officers, was not launched as a result of any specific threat.

But officers believe the public can play a vital role in providing them with information that could help disrupt terrorist planning.

Assistant Chief Constable Mick Harrison, pictured, from Staffordshire Police, 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."

Mr Harrison said the threat from terrorism continues and warned residents cannot be complacent.

"We have seen that terrorists can strike anywhere at any time, so everyone needs to play their part," he added.

"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."

The Anti-Terrorist Hotline is on 0800 789 321. In emergencies dial 999.