An outline of malicious threats to the UK is available via the National Risk Register Chapter 4.
The UK faces a real threat from terrorism and crowded places remain an attractive target. There are a number of iconic targets within the county which could hold significance to a terrorist.
Islamist terrorism and Extreme Right-Wing Terrorism are the primary threats in the UK. Individuals or small groups acting outside of organised terrorist networks are assessed as the most likely terrorist threat in the UK today. This makes terrorists less predictable and harder to identify, investigate and disrupt. The public and communities play a vital role in keeping themselves and others safe.
Terrorism threat levels indicate the likelihood of an attack in the UK There are 5 levels of threat:
Low
Moderate
Substantial
Severe
Critical
Further information linked to these threat levels and the current threat level can be found here
The level is set by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre and the Security Service (MI5). Threat levels don’t have an expiry date. They can change at any time as different information becomes available to security agents.
Agencies in Cheshire are working individually and in multi-agency groups to support central government’s Counter Terrorism Strategy (CONTEST). “CONTEST” aims to reduce the risk from terrorism to the UK and its interests overseas from terrorism so that people can go about their lives freely and with confidence. CONTEST deals with all forms of terrorism and continues to be based around four strands:
Prevent: Work to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. Also supporting the rehabilitation and disengagement of those already involved in terrorism.
Pursue: Stop terrorist attacks happening in this country or against UK interests overseas.
Protect: Strengthen our protection against a terrorism attack.
Prepare: working to minimise the impact of an attack and reduce the likelihood of further attacks.
The predicted impacts could include:
Endangerment to life
Damage to property and the local area
Community cohesion
Increased community tensions
Heightened sense of fear
Financial impact
If you’ve seen or heard something that could potentially be related to terrorism, trust your instincts and report it. Further information on some of the types of activity you should report is available here. It only takes a moment to make a report online or contact the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.
If you are concerned about a family member or someone close to you becoming radicalised, ACT early. The sooner you reach out the quicker the person can be protected from being groomed or exploited. You won’t be wasting time and you won’t ruin lives, but you might save them. Further information can be found at ACT Early.
In the unlikely event of a terrorist attack, remember to follow RUN, HIDE, TELL guidance
RUN: to a place of safety. This is a far better option than to surrender or negotiate. If there’s nowhere to go then:
HIDE: Its better to hide than to confront. Remember to turn your phone to silent and turn off vibrate. Barricade yourself in if you can. Then finally and only when it is safe to do so:
TELL: the police by calling 999
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