Thames Valley Police launch new counter terrorism website
'Act Early' wants to look at early intervention
Thames Valley Police have launched a new counter terrorism site for Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.
'Act Early' is a new site from Thames Valley Police, focused on helping friends and families to spot signs of radicalisation.
This has been Counter Terrorism officers who say the pandemic and lockdown could have created more opportunities for extremist groups.
Detective Chief Superintendent Kath Barnes is Head of Counter Terrorism Policing for the south-east. She says there are a range of things to look out for:
"Possible changes in behaviour, isolating more from family, arguing more, changes in appearance and lifestyles or patterns.
"If someone is already feeling socially isolated for whatever reason and they are spending more time online, more time at home on lockdown without other diversionary activities, it feels normal that would have an amplifying effect."
DCS Kath Barnes wants people to know that the focus of this website is to help people:
"I really want to reassure people that contacting us and raising your concerns at not an automatic route to any kind of criminal justice outcome. It is an automatic route to help and support."
The website has information on what signs to look for, real stories with letters from people who were radicalised or close to radicalisation, as well as advice and support on next steps.