Published at 16:40, Monday, 28 January 2013

THE new head of the North West Counter Terrorism Unit (NW CTU) is urging Cumbrians to support the police in the fight against terrorism.

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In a week-long campaign, the NW CTU will encourage people working and living in the north west to be vigilant and report any suspicious or unusual behaviour to the Confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789321.

Detective Chief Superintendent Tony Mole, Head of the NW CTU, said: “Recent events in Algeria and Mali have shown that the threat from international terrorism is very real and has in no way dissipated.

“We have seen in the past how global events impact on local communities and it is critical that we all do our utmost to combat the threat from terrorism both at home and abroad.”

Police say that public vigilance is vital in the fight against terrorism, and as people know their communities they will know when something seems out of the ordinary.

If members of the public see something that is unusual or out of place, they need to call the Anti-Terrorist Hotline.

Officers are urging people to trust their instincts and pick up the phone, as they could be providing the crucial piece of information that is needed.

Detective Chief Inspector Lee Johnson, the Cumbrian lead for Serious and Organised Crime and Terrorism added: “There are individuals within our communities who seek to exploit vulnerable people for extremist purposes and we all have a responsibility to stop that from happening.

“We need the help of the public in identifying those people“.

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk