POLICE are urging people to help in the fight against terrorism by using a special anti-terrorist hotline.

Hampshire Constabulary is supporting a campaign by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) to tell people about the national hotline as part of its own campaign to raise awareness and keep communities safe.

Leaflets, posters (pictured right) and adverts will be used at key locations, including transport hubs and shopping centres across the county.

Officers are keen to reassure residents that the promotion of the hotline is not linked to any current threat.

The hotline is staffed 24/7 by specialist police officers and all information is carefully looked after.

Chief Inspector Jason Kenny, whose teams help deliver the force’s terrorism prevention strategy, said: “Our message is a simple one – call the anti-terrorist hotline in confidence if you have any concerns about suspicious activity.

“Any piece of information you give could be important. It may seem only minor to you, but it may be the final piece of the jigsaw for police.”

He added: “By working together, we can defeat terrorism.”

The hotline number is 0800 789 321.

It will also be used during major incidents and appeals for information, but its primary purpose is to be used for people to report suspicious activity. This could include –

  • Someone noticeably behaving differently for no obvious reason.
  • Someone with a large number of mobile phones for no obvious reason.
  • Someone with passports or other documents in other names for no obvious reason.
  • Someone who travels for long periods of time but is vague about where they’re going
  • Someone buying or storing large amounts of chemicals for no obvious reason.
  • Someone taking interest in security, like CCTV cameras for no obvious reason.

The hotline should not be used for emergencies – if someone believes they have found a bomb for example. In that instance, always call 999 immediately.