Terrorism
The threat from terrorism is real and serious. We’ve seen that terrorists can strike at any time and any place without warning. Hampshire Constabulary plays a key role in protecting the UK, but communities defeat terrorism and we need help and support from you and your community.
Find out more about what we’re doing to keep your community safer, how to spot possible terrorist activity and how to report anything suspicious that you’ve seen or heard.
ACT: Action Counters Terrorism
The Police and Crime Commissioner urges the public to help the police tackle terrorism and save lives by reporting suspicious behaviour and activity.
Communities defeat terrorism. With the enduring terrorist threat, it is now more important than ever that everyone plays their part in tackling terrorism. Your actions could save lives.
Don’t worry about wasting police time. No call or click will be ignored. What you tell the police is treated in the strictest confidence and is thoroughly researched by experienced officers before, and if, any police action is taken.
Any piece of information could be important, it is better to be safe and report. Remember, trust your instincts and ACT. Action Counters Terrorism.
How can I report?
Reporting is quick and easy. You can report in confidence online via www.gov.uk/ACT. Alternatively, you can call the police confidentially on 0800 789 321.
All reports are kept confidential and you can report anonymously.
In an emergency always call 999.
What should I report?
Like other criminals, terrorists need to plan. You can report suspicious activity or behaviour – anything that seems out of place, unusual or just doesn’t seem to fit in with everyday life.
Watch the ACT film to learn more:
Research
Meetings, training and planning can take place anywhere. Do you know someone who travels, but is vague about where they’re going?
Do you know someone with passports or other documents in different names, for no obvious reason?
Do you know someone who looks at extremist material, including on the so-called Dark Web, or shares and creates content that promotes or glorifies terrorism?
Have you noticed someone embracing or actively promoting hateful ideas or an extremist ideology?
Gathering materials
Suspicious materials can be ordered online as well as in store. Have you noticed someone receiving deliveries for unusual items bought online?
If you work in commercial vehicle hire or sales, has a sale or rental seemed unusual?
Have you noticed someone buying large or unusual quantities of chemicals, fertilisers or gas cylinders for no obvious reason?
Have you noticed someone acquiring illegal firearms or other weapons or showing an interest in obtaining them?
Storing materials
Terrorists need to store equipment while preparing for an attack. Have you noticed anyone storing large amounts of chemicals, fertilisers or gas cylinders?
Have you noticed anyone storing illegal firearms or objects that could potentially be weapons?
Hostile reconnaissance
Observation and surveillance help terrorists plan attacks. Have you witnessed anyone taking pictures or notes of security arrangements or CCTV?
Financing
Cheque and credit card fraud are ways of generating cash. Have you noticed any suspicious or unusual bank transactions?
FAQs
How do I report possible terrorist activity?
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 at www.gov.uk/ACT using our quick and confidential online tool, or call the confidential Anti-Terrorism Hotline on 0800 789 321. We monitor this service 24 hours a day.
If it’s an emergency and you suspect an immediate danger call 999.
If you are abroad, call the local emergency number. In all EU countries it’s 112.
How do I report online terrorist or extremist content?
If you’ve come across a website or online content (including emails, forums or social media) that you feel is of a violent extremist or terrorist nature, please report it using the UK Government’s quick and anonymous online tool.
Specialist officers will assess your information and, where appropriate, investigate the website and work with partners to remove it.
Of course, if you suspect an immediate danger please call 999 now.
Can anyone find out that I contacted the Police?
Not if you don’t want them to. We treat all of the information that you provide in the strictest of confidence. If we do need to get in touch for any reason we will be extremely discreet.
Can I remain anonymous?
We ask everyone providing information to also give their name and contact details but this is your decision. By providing your contact details this will help us verify the authenticity of the information and support you as quickly as possible if we need to.
If you’d prefer to give information anonymously, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
What if the information I give is wrong?
That’s okay. If you have a genuine concern about something you’ve seen or heard, we’d much rather you tell us than keep it to yourself. That way, our specially trained officers can look into it. If it turns out to be nothing, that’s good news.
Can I speak to someone other than the police?
Absolutely. You can speak to the organisations below in complete confidence. They can pass your information to us and preserve your anonymity.
- Crimestoppers
- Equality and Human Rights Commission
- Fair Forum Against Islamophobia and Racism (FAIR)
- Hindu Forum Britain
- Muslim Community Safety Forum
- The Community Security Trust (for matters related to the Jewish community)
What is Project Kraken?
There are over 11,000 miles of British mainland coastline and a complex network of estuaries, navigable rivers, coves, inlets, ports and harbours, all of which can be exploited by terrorists and serious criminals.
We want you to report any unusual or suspicious behaviour in these and other maritime environments. No matter how trivial it may seem: if it looks out of the ordinary, we want to know about it.
How can you help?
We want you to report any unusual or suspicious activity near the coastline and in maritime environments.
This could include:
- Crew who show signs of nervousness or a lack of awareness of maritime protocols and customs.
- Vessels showing signs of unusual modification or minor damage.
- Increased activity at isolated coastal locations or at unusual times of the day.
- Attempts to signal to vessels offshore or guide them into an unusual location.
- Strange patterns of payment, such as large amounts of cash.
- People testing site security or an unusual interest in site structures and wharfs.
What should you do?
If you see unusual or suspicious activity, report it to your local police on 101, or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, and quote “KRAKEN”.
If you want to anonymously report your information online, visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
Do not take direct action against any individuals or groups. If it is an emergency, always call 999.
What if I'm going abroad?
Before you head off on holiday, there are 3 things you should do:
- Check the latest Foreign Office travel advice
- Sort your travel insurance
- Watch our holiday safety film
To find out more visit www.counterterrorism.police.uk/staysafe
The chances of being caught up in a terrorist incident are still low but sadly we have seen atrocities take place in the UK and abroad. So it is important everyone stays alert and knows what to do if the worst was to happen.
We want people to think of this in the same way they do the safety film airlines show before take-off. They don’t expect anything bad to happen, but it is a sensible safety precaution to show people what to do.
The key advice is:
- Run – to a place of safety. This is better than trying to surrender or negotiate.
- Hide – it is better to hide than confront. Barricade yourself in, turn your phone to silent and use only when it is safe to do so.
- Tell – Make sure you know the local emergency numbers in the country you’re travelling to. For all EU countries it’s 112.