FORCES across the North West have been encouraging people and businesses to be prepared to play their part in keeping the country safe from terrorism during Counter Terrorism Awareness Week (CTAW).

CTAW is a national campaign highlighting the work police officers and partners are carrying out around the clock to protect the UK from a terrorist attack.

Since Monday (November 24), North West police forces have been focusing on key themes that fall within the UK’s counter-terrorism strategy CONTEST - Pursue, Prevent, Protect and Prepare.

The week highlights where action by the police, businesses and the public can prevent terrorism.

This includes vigilance in crowded places and transport hubs, preventing violent extremism, cutting off terrorist financing, and preventing access to tools that terrorists need to operate.

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ACC Ian Wiggett, the North West lead for counter terrorism, said: “Following the increase of the international terrorism threat to severe, there is a heightened need to ensure that the North West is in the best position to deter and detect potential terrorist threats.

“The week highlights the importance of training people to look out for suspicious behaviour and what they should do if an attack happens, along with preventing terrorism and radicalisation.

"It is important to protect vulnerable people by responding to the ideological challenge of terrorism and the threat we face from those who promote it.

“This is not about scaring people, but highlighting that everybody, from law enforcement to businesses, to the general public, has a role to play in keeping the UK safe from terrorism. We encourage people to be vigilant to things that are out of place or suspicious and report it to the police.“

Businesses will receive a briefing about counter-terrorism measures under Op Griffin, which will better equip them to deal with their organisations’ security challenges both on a day-to-day basis, and in the event of a major incident.