Police launch week of action to tackle extremism, terrorism and radicalisation

Officers and staff from forces across the region are being trained on how to spot the signs of radicalisation as part of a national week of action.

Following on from the launch of the Let’s Talk About It website, staff at Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk police forces are being given extra briefings to raise awareness and understanding of how to spot the signs of people becoming radicalised.

Briefing and training are also being given to partner agencies across the region including security staff at London Luton Airport.

Officers will then work with communities across the region, using the Let’s Talk About It website and toolkits to help protect those at risk of extremism.

The activities are part of a national Prevent awareness week in line with the government strategy which aims to stop people becoming involved with terrorism or extremism.

Assistant Chief Constable Jeff Hill of the Eastern Counter Terrorism Intelligence Unit said: “Everyone has a role to play in defeating terrorism and we are committed to working with communities and partner agencies across the region to identify anyone who might be at risk of radicalisation.

“The one thing that all terrorists have in common is that they have a strong belief in an idea and they are willing to go to extremes to promote, or bring attention to that idea.

“Communities can work together to develop resilience to extremist influences which support terrorism, be alert to any groups which target them or use their community spaces for propaganda activities and be vigilant against any people who raise funds for illegal activities. The Let’s Talk About it website offers a virtual platform to get the real information about spotting the signs, the truth about travelling to Syria and how they can get help.”

Communities and families are asked to contact their local police force for advice and support about anyone they feel may be potentially vulnerable to being drawn into terrorist-related activities including travelling abroad to conflict zones.

Please contact your local police on 101. You can also visit the national Prevent Tragedies website for further advice and guidance www.preventtragedies.co.uk and the Let’s Talk About It website www.ltai.info

If you see or hear something you are concerned could be terrorist related call the Anti -Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.