Stay alert in fight against terrorism
On Saturday night I was working in Hamilton town centre when South Lanarkshire Council’s provost was switching on the Christmas lights.
Atomic Kitten were the headline act and were popular with the crowd, signing autographs and taking photographs after the big switch–on. I’d like to say I was too busy for a photo, but the truth is I was too shy to ask!
Police officers do enjoy working at events like this. It can be fun, and it’s an opportunity to engage positively with members of the community who otherwise perhaps don’t have the opportunity, or requirement, to speak with police.
Our officers play an important role in ensuring security at public events like this. Prior to events, we meet with organisers and advise on safety and security issues.
After briefing my officers, I met with the head of security for the event and carried out a counter-terrorism briefing.
In recent years, public gatherings and Christmas markets have been a target for terrorist activity. With the festive rush about to get underway, Police Scotland is supporting Counter Terrorism Policing as they launch their biggest-ever winter advertising campaign as part of ACT: Action Counters Terrorism.
Across the country, security messaging will appear on advertising boards and digital screens around crowded Christmas events and key shopping locations, reminding the public about the crucial role they play in helping to tackle the terrorist threat.
The winter advertising campaign aims to encourage the public to remain vigilant, look out for suspicious behaviour and inform people how to report their concerns, providing a ‘whole society’ approach where police, security staff, retail workers and the public come together to minimise the chance of attacks and mitigate the impact they can have.
Members of the public can help us keep events and areas safe by being vigilant for anyone or anything that looks out of place or suspicious and reporting it to a member of staff, security or police.
Communities should remain vigilant and, if they see or hear something suspicious, trust their instincts and report it to police in confidence at gov. UK/ACT or 0800 789 321.
We’re asking people to be alert not alarmed, so no-one should be discouraged from going about their daily business and attending events as normal.
On Friday night, local officers will be present at the Larkhall Christmas lights switch-on. It is always a popular event and, this year, part of Union Street will be closed to traffic throughout the day to allow for market stalls. Road diversions will be in place, so the area will busier than usual.
On Wednesday morning I attended at ‘South Lanarkshire Council Member Services’. This is an opportunity for elected councillors to meet directly with senior police officers and receive updates about police activity in an informal setting.
It’s also opportunity for councillors to raise any issues they have directly with local police management. This ensures Police Scotland are directly accountable to the communities we serve, and highlights the important role elected representatives play at a local level, when so much of the political focus at the moment is on national and international events.
If you have any information you feel should be reported to police then please call 101 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.