POLICE chiefs in Warwickshire are reassuring residents their safety is the force’s top priority in the wake of the Westminster terror attack.
But while police say there has been no intelligence to suggest any specific terrorist threat to Warwickshire, and the force constantly review plans in place to both prevent and respond to any incident, they are calling on the public to be vigilant after Khalid Masood’s ploughed a car into people walking along Westminster Bridge before stabbing police officer PC Keith Palmer to death outside Parliament. Three other people were killed in the rampage and over 50 injured before Masood was shot dead.
Ch Con Martin Jelley said: “All police forces prepare for a variety of terrorist situations but all hope that it is something we never have to face.
“The role police officers take each and every day to protect our communities should never be underestimated and the tragic death of PC Keith Palmer sadly highlights the risks they take, without hesitation, to serve their communities.
Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe added it was important the police and the public worked together to combat terrorism.
He said: “The events in Westminster showed once again the dedication and professionalism of all of the emergency services and, above all, the commitment of police officers to protect the public, in the face of very obvious dangers to their own safety.
“That same level of dedication to duty applies just as strongly in Warwickshire and is something that I know it is very much appreciated by the public.
“Tragedies such as these serve only to reinforce that we must all remain vigilant and continue to work together to combat terrorism.”
People are urged to report any suspicious activity or behaviour by calling the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321 or using the secure form at www.gov.uk/ACT
