Counter Terrorism and Keeping Safe

Members of the public play an important role in helping to keep communities safe.

You can help by:

• Remaining aware of your surroundings
• Reporting suspicious behaviour, activity or items
• Following safety instructions from emergency services and venue staff
• Learning what to do during an emergency situation

Vigilance is important regardless of the current threat level. 

Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) is a national Counter Terrorism Policing campaign that encourages the public and businesses to help prevent terrorism through awareness and reporting. 

ACT provides information on:

• Recognising suspicious behaviour
• Reporting concerns
• Understanding potential threats
• Staying safe during an incident

Find out more on their website.

Free online training is available to help individuals understand how to identify and report concerns and what actions to take during an incident. 

• ACT Awareness eLearning
• ACT Action Counters Terrorism Course

Prevent is part of the UK Government's counter-terrorism strategy. It aims to stop people from becoming involved in terrorism or supporting terrorist activity by providing support to those who may be vulnerable to radicalisation.

If you are concerned that someone may be at risk of radicalisation:

• Acting early
• ACT Early support line: 0800 011 3764

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, commonly known as Martyn's Law, introduces measures to improve public protection and preparedness at certain premises and events. 

Further guidance is available through:

• ProtectUK
• Home Office Guidance

CONTEST is the UK's counter-terrorism strategy and is built around four key objectives: 

• Prevent – stop people becoming involved in terrorism
• Pursue – detect and disrupt terrorist threats
• Protect – strengthen protection against attack
• Prepare – reduce the impact of attacks and support recovery

Find out more on their website.