Every call counts in fight against terrorism

People across the North West are being told "every call counts" and could help in the fight against terrorism.

The North West Counter Terrorism Unit is working with forces across the region to ensure people realise how they can help, as part of a national campaign launched today, Monday 8 March 2010.

Under the banner "no call is a waste of time", the message is being spread including through digital vans that will be in towns and cities across the region, through radio advertising and by neighbourhood policing teams.

Detective Chief Superintendent Tony Porter, head of the NW Counter Terrorism Unit, said: "People hold the key. It is important that they feel able to contact us if they have noticed anything they think is suspicious.

"We have expert officers with significant experience who can assess the information and decide on the most appropriate course of action. Sometimes that may be doing nothing but there are times when the piece of information given is the final piece of a jigsaw for us."

The campaign aims to explain what suspicious activity could look like. It includes people with passports and documents in multiple identities, buying large amounts of chemicals for no reason and suddenly acquiring a large amount of cash with no explanation.

During the month-long initiative postcards and posters with the Anti-Terrorist Hotline number on will be distributed to communities. The messages will also feature at Manchester Airport. People are encouraged to keep the phone number and store it so they have it to hand if they need to use it.

DCS Porter added: "People can report their concerns through the hotline and it will be treated in the strictest confidence. Don't leave it for someone else, if you have concerns let us know. We need your help to keep our region safe."

The initiative is the latest phase of work to raise public awareness and is not linked to any current threat.