According to it, seven terrorist attacks in the ‘late stage’ have been stopped by police since the beginning of the coronavirus epidemic.
Counter Terrorism Policing, (CTP), said that the latest numbers bring the number of foiled terrorist plots over the past four years up to 32.
Senior police officers have warned people not to lose their mind during this festive season.
From March 2017 to March 2018, there were 18 incidents of terrorist plotting. 12 are connected to extremist right-wing terror and two linked to anarchist or “single issue” terrorism.
Dean Haydon, the Senior National Coordinator for CTP and Deputy Assistant Commissioner, stated that public will be “well aware” of two terrorist attacks on the UK in quick succession. The national threat level has risen to extreme, meaning an attack could occur.
A suicide bomber in a taxi exploded at a Liverpool hospital. This attack is being investigated by MI5 and police. Experts believe he may have been copying the ISIS attack against a Kabul-based maternity facility.
He said, “All this paints a picture that there is a persistent and high-tempo threat. Our world-class intelligence, security, and police services are working hard to counter it.”
“But, to successfully combat terrorist acts, it requires a society-wide approach. This is why co-operation between the police force and the general public is essential. Therefore, we require you to be aware and alert.
“As we get closer to the Christmas season, we need the public’s help in protecting the UK.
He encouraged people to trust their instincts and call the police if they suspect any suspicious activity.
Following terrorist attacks in Liverpool, Essex and elsewhere, UK terror threat was raised recently to’severe.
It comes after a senior Metropolitan Police officer previously warned Londoners and visitors to the capital to ‘be alert, not alarmed’ in crowded spaces in the lead-up to Christmas.
Matt Twist, Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations, urged everyone to remain vigilant and be on the lookout for any unusual or suspicious behavior.
Because of the coronavirus restrictions last year, Assistant Commissioner Twist called this year’s celebrations ‘the first real Christmas’.
He explained that there will be many busy places. It will be a lot of places getting back to their feet, many people crowded in, and many gatherings.
“This is about being alert all around, and not alarmed.”
Forensic officers at the scene near the Belfairs Methodist Church in Essex on October 15 where Conservative MP Sir David Amess died after he was stabbed several times
Assistant Commissioner Twist also spoke out about the Wisconsin Christmas Parade car accident which resulted in the deaths of at least five people. He stressed the importance of planning ahead for this busy season.
Nick Ferrari, LBC Radio’s host, said that he believed this was about vigilance. There’s a lot of work that’s done in advance of gatherings and in advance of events in the UK.
“We request our security officers put in place things such as vehicle mitigation, barriers or to reduce the risk to people.”
Based on media reports, he said that it did not seem like the Wisconsin incident was terror related.
Urging the public to report anything suspicious to police in the build-up to Christmas, he added: ‘We want people to be vigilant, looking out for what’s unusual, looking out for things that may be suspicious, may concern them.
‘That can be anything from a bag that’s in the wrong place – I think the public are well aware of that sort of thing – but also to stuff in their home or family lives, their friends becoming withdrawn or isolated, or making concerning comments.
‘It’s all around getting ahead of this. If you report something, the message is: You’re not going to ruin someone’s life, but you might just save one.’