Plea to help stop terrorist plots in Scotland

POLICE Scotland will today launch a campaign urging members of the public to help defeat terrorism.

The Make Nothing Happen initiative will run across radio and digital channels, with people being encouraged to contact the police about suspicious activity by calling an anti-terrorist hotline or using an online reporting form.

Since 2014, the terrorist threat in Scotland has been set to “severe”, which means an attack is “highly likely”, with communities being advised to remain vigilant, but not alarmed and to go about their daily business as usual.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson, who leads Police Scotland’s counterterrorism unit, said: “Communities throughout Scotland have identified counterterrorism as a key policing priority through their participation in the Your View Counts consultation survey.

“We have conducted a number of high-profile engagements and highvisibility patrols aimed at raising awareness of our efforts to counter the threat from terrorism and to provide reassurance to our communities.

“Police Scotland plays an important role in the UK-wide effort to counter the threat from terrorism and we fully support the Make Nothing Happen campaign.”

Mr Johnson said one of Scotland’s greatest strengths is its strong community cohesion, with “cooperation between the public and the police being our greatest advantage against the terrorist threat”.

He added: “We must all ensure that the threat posed by terrorists does not undermine the positive relationships that exist across communities in Scotland.”