Counter Terrorism and Keeping Safe in the Community 

Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) and local forces work throughout the year with businesses across the country to give advice and guidance on safety and security measures.

CTP is calling on the public to play their part by remaining vigilant while out and about.  If you see or hear something suspicious trust your instincts and report any concerns to police, security or staff.  Reports can also be made in confidence at www.gov.uk/ACT. In an emergency always call 999.

To learn more about the role that you can play in defeating terrorism, free online training is available. Taking just 45 minutes to complete, the online training provides the latest advice from CT experts, including how to react in the unlikely event of a terror attack and how to spot and report suspicious activity and behaviour.

There is also free online training for all members of the public on how to respond to a terrorism incident through the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) which has been devised by UK counter-terrorism officers and experts. The online course helps people spot suspicious behaviour or items and understand what to do in the event of a bomb threat or major incident. 

Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) is a national campaign led by Counter Terrorism Policing UK aimed at encouraging the public and businesses to help prevent terrorism.

The initiative focuses on raising awareness about the threat of terrorism and promoting public vigilance. It encourages people to:

• Report suspicious activity to police or via the ACT website

• Stay alert, but not alarmed

• Engage with counter-terrorism training, such as ACT Awareness eLearning, especially in public-facing sectors

ACT highlights that communities play a key role in countering terrorism by noticing and reporting concerns early, helping police stop potential attacks before they happen.

For more information, visit the ACT website.

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, also known as Martyn’s Law, will ensure the public are better protected from terrorism, by requiring certain public premises and events to be prepared and ready to keep people safe in the event of an attack.

The Home Office has released a short video designed to educate viewers on the scope and requirements of the new Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act, known as Martyn’s Law.

Watch the video here: Martyn's Law explainer video

CONTEST is the United Kingdom’s counter-terrorism strategy. It aims to reduce the risk of terrorism to the UK and its interests overseas so that people can live freely and with confidence. The strategy is built around four key pillars, often known as the "four Ps":

1. Prevent – to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

2. Pursue – to detect and disrupt terrorist threats and those planning or conducting terrorist attacks.

3. Protect – to strengthen the UK’s protection against a terrorist attack, including borders, infrastructure, and public spaces.

4. Prepare – to mitigate the impact of an attack and ensure an effective response and recovery.

CONTEST is regularly reviewed to respond to evolving threats and remains a core part of the UK’s national security approach.

Prevent is a key part of the UK’s counter-terrorism strategy, aimed at stopping people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. It works by identifying individuals at risk of radicalisation and providing them with support to steer them away from harmful influences.

Prevent involves local authorities, schools, healthcare providers, and other organisations working together to safeguard communities while upholding fundamental rights and freedoms.

For more information visit the Prevent Duty Guidance (Scotland) webpage.