Counter terrorism

In an emergency - do not delay

If you think you have seen a person acting suspiciously, or if you see a vehicle, unattended package or bag which might be a threat, immediately move away and call 999. An immediate 999 call is always justified as seconds can save lives.

Beating terrorism

You know your neighbourhood better than anyone. You are best placed to recognise unusual activity.
There are numerous ways in which you can report suspicious activities or if you are concerned that someone you know may be at risk of being drawn into terrorism:

• If it’s an emergency, always dial 999.
• Call the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.
• Contact Surrey police by dialling 101.
• Report your concerns anonymously to CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.

If you think you may have seen something suspicious or you are unsure about someone's activities or behaviour, however insignificant it may seem at the time, call the Anti-Terrorism Hotline on 0800 789 321.

What can be suspicious?

• Are new or temporary residents behaving in an unusual manner? Are they coming and going at unusual times? Are they using a variety of vehicles? Are they vague about where they are going when they travel?
• If you rent out vehicles, or residential or lock-up premises, are your customers or tenants displaying unusual behaviour?
• Do you know people with several mobile phones? Have they been taking photographs for no obvious reason? Are they wearing protective clothing, masks, goggles, gloves etc? Has someone acquired chemicals for no obvious reason?

Prevent

Prevent is the strategy aimed at tackling violent extremism and radicalisation which is one of four strands of the government’s counter terrorism strategy known as CONTEST. 

There are four strands to the CONTEST strategy:

• Prevent: is concerned with working in partnership to reduce support for terrorism of all kinds; to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and ensure that they are given appropriate advice and support.
• Pursue: is concerned with the apprehension and arrest of any persons suspected of being engaged in the planning, preparation and commission of a terrorist act.
• Protect: aims to strengthen our protection against a terrorist attack and reduce our vulnerability to such attacks. This involves managing the risks to crowded places and the safeguarding of hazardous materials.
• Prepare: seeks to mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack where that attack cannot be stopped. This includes work to bring a terrorist attack to an end and to increase our resilience so we can recover from its aftermath

Tandridge District Council has a duty to have “due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism” under Section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015. There are numerous ways in which Tandridge District Council adheres to the duty guidance which are outlined in the Council’s Prevent Statement.

More information

• Home Office counter terrorism advice.
• Surrey Police counter terrorism.