Be alert when you travel – counter-terror police tell public

The travelling public should be alert and aware of their surroundings when using public transport, says the British Transport Police (BTP) Commander for Wales.

Superintendent Andy Morgan said: “Around 30,000 people travel on our railways in Wales every single day. For commuters, who make the same journey over and over again, it can be easy to become oblivious to their surroundings. But I would urge them to remain alert, use their instinct and have the confidence to report anything that strikes them as out-of-place or suspicious.

“Earlier this month a man was sentenced for terrorism offences after being caught in possession of information about how to make bombs. This was as a direct result of a rail passenger reporting suspicions to train staff. We need others to follow suit and play their part in keeping the Welsh transport systems safe from terrorists.

“If we can utilise the eyes and the ears of the public in our surveillance of the transport system, combined with our already substantial CCTV coverage, we stand every chance of detecting and stopping attacks. Protecting our transport systems from terrorism remains a top priority for police and other agencies.”

He added: “We should be proud of the fact that we have a largely open and accessible transport network across Wales. However this means the police and public must work together to ensure it remains as secure and safe as possible.”

British Transport Police have dedicated units across the UK, monitoring stations and trains every hour of every day. They include units with specialist equipment to quickly assess the threat of suspect packages, officers trained in identifying suspicious behaviour and highly trained police dogs. Police are able to respond to a wide range of terrorist situations, including chemical or biological threats.

Police will be at transport hubs across the UK today to raise awareness of the work that they, and other agencies, are doing to protect our transport network and encourage members of the public to report suspicious activity.

Superintendent Andy Morgan, echoing Assistant Chief Constable Nikki Hollands’ plea for public assistance in combating terrorism, added: “Quite simply, Wales’ defence against terrorism is strengthened immeasurably when the police, other agencies and the public work together. If you have any concerns, follow the example of the brave passenger on the train and report it to the Anti-Terrorism Hotline.”

Suspicious activity can be reported by calling the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.