Counter Terrorism Policing North East urge people to stay vigilant this Winter

Counter Terrorism Policing North East is asking people to stay vigilant this Winter, as crowds are expected to visit the region to celebrate the festive period.

With footfall increasing as people enjoy the Christmas markets, shops and restaurants this month, officers are urging members of the public to trust their instincts and report anything that doesn’t seem right.

Superintendent Mark Jessop is the Head of Protect and Prepare at Counter Terrorism Policing North East. He said: “The festive season is a busy time for many people, and that includes the police and security services who are working to keep people safe in our region’s towns and cities.

“Sadly, the terrorist threat hasn’t gone away, and the threat level nationally remains at SUBSTANTIAL, which means an attack is likely. Whilst there is no intelligence to suggest there is a specific threat to our region, we still need the public to be our eyes and ears and help keep each other safe.

“Counter Terrorism Policing is working around the clock with MI5 and other partners to monitor the threat and protect our communities from harm. Last year we arrested more people for terrorism related offences than in previous years, but the support of the public is essential to our mission to keep people safe.

“Our message is simple. If you see something that doesn’t feel right, please report it to police or security staff. Don’t worry that you’re wasting our time, we take every report seriously.

“Let’s look out for each other this winter, so that everyone can enjoy the season safely.”

The request comes as national figures revealed that 19 late-stage attack plots were disrupted by the police and MI5 since 2020, including three that were stopped last year.

If you spot something suspicious, or think you might have useful information, please report it in confidence on 0800 789 321, or at gov.uk/ACT . In the case of an emergency, always call 999