Police are “relying on the public” to spot suspected terror activity during the festive period as tip-offs rise by half, a senior officer has said. Counter-terrorism officers are now “most concerned” by lone actors as opposed to well-organised groups, Metropolitan Police deputy assistant commissioner Jon Savell said.
As a result, the public acting as officers’ “eyes and ears” is now “the fundamental thing” in policing terrorism, he added, speaking in his role as senior national co-ordinator for the Government’s “protect and prepare” counter-terrorism strategy.
This year has seen a 50% rise in suspicious activity reports made to the anti-terror hotline. The cause of the spike is uncertain but contacts are making a difference to investigations, according to Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP). There were 52 more arrests for terrorism offences last year than in 2022 – an increase of 31% and the highest number in a single year since 2019.
Christmas shopping, festive markets, pantomimes and concerts could attract terror activity, CTP warned, as it reminded people “everyone has a role to play in keeping each other safe” by spotting and reporting suspicious activity. Mr Savell walked through a busy Christmas market at London Bridge with security minister Dan Jarvis on Thursday afternoon, discussing terror policing during the winter months.
