14 DAY TRIAL // The UK Metropolitan Police Service has announced the start of a five-week campaign called “It’s probably nothing but…your call could save lives.”
The campaign encourages Londoners to join the fight against terrorism by calling the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321 if they see or hear anything that might be terrorist related.
As part of the campaign, 1.4 million leaflets are being distributed, and adverts will be published in newspapers and broadcasted on radios.
“Protecting Londoners from terrorism is one of the top priorities for the Metropolitan Police Service. The threat, whether it is from Al-Qaeda inspired groups or individuals, dissident Irish republican groups or other violent extremists, is still a real and serious one,” said Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Osborne, senior national coordinator counter terrorism.
“You know the area where you live better than anyone else so we ask you to be vigilant, trust your instincts and tell us about anyone or anything you see which is out of place in your normal day to day lives.”
The initiators of the project highlight the fact that no piece of information is too insignificant and they assure people that specially trained officers will analyze and research the data they're provided with before deciding the next move.
“No piece of information is considered too small or insignificant. Our specialist officers would rather take lots of calls which turn out to have an innocent explanation than miss out on a vital piece of information,” Osborne added.
“We understand that you may have concerns about speaking to the police - possibly because you think your friends or family may find out or because you don't want to get people into trouble. However, all calls are treated in the strictest confidence and information is thoroughly assessed before - and if - any further action is taken.”