Message from Kent Police

On the morning of Saturday 16 September, Kent Police officers in the area of Dover Port made a significant arrest of an 18-year-old man suspected of being involved in the Parsons Green incident. A second arrest was made this morning by Metropolitan Police officers in the Hounslow area of west London.

While the investigation remains ongoing, we at Kent Police wish to remind all communities of the need to remain alert but not alarmed by the threat to the UK from international terrorism. As such, I am very much seeking your support in sharing this important message.

We implemented a range of activities from our ‘move to critical’ plan with the support of partners and stakeholders. This included additional policing activity, both armed and non-armed, to reassure the public. We also had a full command structure in place including a Strategic Coordination Group meeting daily to keep all partners updated.

Kent Police regularly reviews existing security measures, allocates patrols where required and listens to concerns to ensure we respond in a measured way.

We have previously circulated the STAY SAFE principles (Run, Hide, Tell) but if you have not seen this then please read the information and watch the video on the Government’s Stay Safe guidance, which is available at www.gov.uk. The link https://www.kent.police.uk/advice/terrorism/ takes you to our external website with posters in various languages (English, Hebrew, Hindi, Nepali, Punjabi, Urdu and Arabic) which can be placed in key locations of interest/places of worship.

Public safety is our priority so we are using proven operational tactics to ensure the public is well prepared and protected. We are also working closely with other national charities/groups such as Community Security Trust (Protecting Jewish Communities) and Tell MAMA UK (Measuring anti-Muslim attacks). You may still notice heightened activity around significant/religious events and where required there will be visible community policing. This is intended to make all communities, sectors and sites feel safe and protected.

Remember, communities defeat terrorism so I urge you to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity, concerns or local tensions to us. Language is not a barrier, as we have translators where required. If you have information or any concerns regarding individuals who may be intending to travel to, or who have returned from, Syria and Iraq then please contact our specialist officers in Special Branch in addition to the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321

There is always potential for tension between communities in the UK and people must have the confidence to report hate crime. Incidents of hate crime could increase as experience shows protagonists are often unable to differentiate between different communities or faith groups. If you witness a hate crime or believe you are a victim of one, please report it via the details below.

You will find advice on the Kent Police website

Non-urgent information can be communicated to Kent Police on 101.

Deaf or speech-impaired people can text message the word ‘police’ then leave a space and write their message and send it to 60066.

Always dial 999 if there is an emergency, crime is in progress or life is in danger.

Please access the latest statement issued by Kent Police on our website

Superintendent Philip Hibben
Gold Commander – Operation Quantity
Kent Police