Malicious attacks
The UK faces a serious and sustained threat from terrorism, including from international groups, domestic extremists and Northern-Ireland related groups.
If you’ve seen or heard something that could suggest a terrorist threat to the UK do not ignore it, report it. It only takes a moment to make a report online. Contact the Security Service if you have information that could help keep your community safe. Always report suspicious activity!
While it is important that we all go about our daily business normally, it’s also a sensible to remain alert to danger and to report any suspicious activity you see or hear.
There are 5 levels of threat:
- Low - an attack is unlikely
- Moderate - an attack is possible but not likely
- Substantial - an attack is a strong possibility
- Severe - an attack is highly likely
- Critical - an attack is expected imminently
These threat levels do not expire and can change at any time as different information becomes available to security agencies. The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre explains all the threat levels and provides updates on the current assessments.
The police service and partners work very hard to keep us safe from threats. To support the public to protect themselves further, the National Police Chiefs’ Council has produced a helpful YouTube video about how best to respond during a malicious attack.
How do I report possible terrorist activity?
If you’ve seen or heard something that could suggest a terrorist threat to the UK, even if it seems minor or not worth mentioning, trust your instincts and ACT by reporting it. Any piece of information could be important, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, it is better to be safe and report it.
You can help prevent terrorism and save lives. Even if you’re not sure, please let the police know so their specially trained officers can look into it, no call or click will be ignored.
Report it online using a quick and confidential tool, or:
Call the confidential Anti-Terrorism Hotline on 0800 789 321, this service is monitored 24 hours a day.
If it’s an emergency and you suspect an immediate danger call 999.
How do I report online terrorist or extremist content?
There are different ways you can tell us about possible terrorist activity either in the UK, or that might affect the UK.
Report it online using a quick and confidential tool, or:
Call the confidential Anti-Terrorism Hotline on 0800 789 321, this service is monitored 24 hours a day.
If it’s an emergency and you suspect an immediate danger call 999.
Staying safe from terrorism
The threat of terrorism in the UK is real, but with a little knowledge you can increase your safety and help protect yourself against a terrorist attack. Find out below how to stay safe when you’re out and about and how to report any suspicious behaviour that could be connected to terrorism.
To help prevent attacks from occurring, the public can also play an important role by reporting suspicious behaviour or unattended items to a member of staff or the police. You can call the police non-emergency number on 101. If you are travelling, contact the British Transport Police by texting 61016. If you see it, say it, it will be sorted. The police service and partners work very hard to keep us safe from threats. To support the public to protect themselves further, the National Police Chiefs’ Council has produced a helpful YouTube video about how best to respond during a malicious attack.
To help prevent attacks from occurring, the public can also play an important role by reporting suspicious behaviour or unattended items to a member of staff or the police. You can call the police non-emergency number on 101. If you are travelling on the rail network, contact the British Transport Police by texting 61016. If you see it, say it, it will be sorted.
British Transport Police: 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016
Police non-emergency number: 101
Follow @TerrorismPolice on Twitter
What can I do as someone who works in Staffordshire?
Communities defeat terrorism. We need the help and support of individuals, businesses and communities across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent to remain alert and maintain the safety and security of those places in which we live, work and socialise. If you see or hear something unusual or suspicious trust your instincts and ACT by reporting it in confidence. Any piece of information could be important, it is better to be safe and report. You can help the police prevent terrorism and save lives.
Crowded places, events, public transport, and iconic locations are some examples of locations that could be potential targets for terrorists. All of these can be found in Staffordshire.
You are familiar with your workplace and surrounding area, so you’re ideally placed to spot when something is amiss. In this period of heightened alert, it is vital to remain vigilant, trust your instincts and report possible terrorist activity to the police. Action Counters Terrorism.
Look for anything that seems out of the ordinary, such as:
- People in stationary vehicles watching a building or structure
- Vehicles moving slowly near public buildings, structures or bridges, or parked in suspicious circumstances
- People using recording equipment, including camera phones, or seen making notes or sketches of security details
- Someone suspicious paying close attention to specific entry and exit points, stairwells, hallways or fire escapes
- People loitering at or near premises for long periods and watching staff, visitors and deliveries for no apparent reason
- People asking detailed or unusual questions about buildings and business operations, facilities (such as room layouts), security or parking for no apparent reason
- Challenge those in offices and ‘off limits’ areas, plant rooms and similar – report matters immediately to your security manager or dial 999
If you’ve witnessed any of the above, trust your instincts and report it, in confidence, using the online tool or call the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.
Where can I find security advice for my business or organisation?
Specialist officers carry out regular security briefings for the business community.
Counter Terrorism Security Advisers can identify and assess critical sites in your community that may be vulnerable to terrorist or extremist attack. They then devise and develop appropriate protective security plans to minimise impact on that site and the surrounding community. They can be contacted through Staffordshire Police. For further information visit ACT or Counter Terrorism.
Consider creating a Business Continuity Plan for your organisation to be better prepared for incidents and emergencies that may affect your business.
The Cross-sector Safety and Security Communications (CSSC) network distributes UK Protect messaging directly to businesses that have signed up. https://www.thecssc.com/
Advice for young people
Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) have collaborated with specialists from the PSHE Association and Girlguiding to take terrorism safety advice into the UK’s classrooms and youth organisations for the first time by the name of ACT for Youth.
More information can be found at:
Further information