The public must be alert to more than just the threat of covid-19 this summer, says Counter Terrorism Policing’s Senior National Coordinator for Protect and Prepare, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist. The easing of lockdown restrictions could provide a greater opportunity for terrorists to operate, he suggests.
He is appealing for business owners and the public to support the police by remaining vigilant, and reporting anything that doesn’t seem right to security staff or the police.
The threat to the UK from terrorism remains at substantial, meaning an attack is likely, and as public places such as non-essential shops, hospitality and sports events begin to open, Counter Terrorism Policing have launched a new vigilance campaign.
DACSO Matt Twist said: “Following a year of restrictions impacting all our lives, we recognise people will be keen to get out and about as the lockdown begins to ease, and the importance of businesses being able to return to more regular trading patterns. But we must continue to follow public health guidance and remain vigilant, not just against the threat of the virus but against the threat of terrorism as well.
“Terrorism will understandably not have been high on anyone’s mind in recent months, and I would describe the threat as temporarily suppressed during lockdown, because it was difficult to go out in public and actually do anything. But that means that as the crowded places which have traditionally been the target for terrorists start to fill with people again, there is always the potential for that risk to come back.
“The best defence against the terrorist threat is a collective community effort – where police, security staff, businesses and the public come together to minimise the chance of attack, and that is why Counter Terrorism Policing are launching this campaign.”
Police ask businesses to review and update their security plans, and risk-assess sites or any new areas such as outdoor spaces opened to meet covid safety rules. The public can do their bit in protecting the UK from terrorism by completing the official Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) e-learning. It’s free and takes 45 minutes online, giving the latest advice on CT, how to react in the unlikely event of a terror attack and how to spot and report suspicious activity and behaviour.
Hundreds of thousands of people across the UK have already taken part. Visit https://ct.highfieldelearning.com/.
