The following message was received by Email from Chief Inspector Simon Dicks.
You will no doubt be aware of the two failed terrorist attacks in London and Glasgow and as a result, we are facing a heightened security alert of CRITICAL. This means that there is considerable potential for further attacks.
The issues that communities face are a general fear that there will be further attacks and certain groups will be singled out for blame and retaliation. There may well be an increase in attacks, verbal abuse and damage against people from certain racial and faith groups. Peoples fears and feelings from all communities are important and need to be reported as well as any specific attacks. Vulnerable groups may need additional support and reassurance.

The Wiltshire Police's aim is to;

To engage with communities with the intention of;

• Providing factual information in relation to the attacks.
• Identifying and responding to increased community tensions or concerns.
• To prevent further attacks by raising the level of awareness amongst communities of the need for vigilance and to report any suspicious activity to the police through the Counter Terrorist Hotline.

As a result, we are asking for your support to reassure the community and communicate the following messages to key stakeholders and influential group across Swindon and Wiltshire. This is a critical time for all of us and working together with all our partners will ensure we maximise safety, reassure and protect vulnerable communities and help detect any suspicious activity that may be terrorist related.

The following key messages are extremely important and I request that you pass these on to as many groups as you can and help us keep Wiltshire Safe!

Very many thanks for your cooperation in advance.

Simon Dicks
   Chief Inspector
   Diversity and Community Affairs
   Police HQ Devizes
   01380 733280
  

The following key reassurance messages should be used to communicate to the public and partners.

• A major counter terrorism investigation is underway following both attacks. Both devices had the potential to cause mass damage to property, but also significant fatalities.
• There is no information that suggests that any part of the UK is a specific target but another attack is believed to be imminent. This policing activity is being undertaken to ensure that the public at large are kept safe. This is our utmost priority.
• All forces across the country will be increasing their police patrols in areas which may be vulnerable. These include areas where large numbers of people may gather and licensed premises.
• Police officers will be visiting such areas and premises in your area throughout the weekend to ensure they are kept safe.
• Terrorism affects all our communities and their safety is our highest priority. We will do our utmost to help people recognise the signs of suspicious and to assist us in defeating terrorism.
• Armed officers will be patrolling at significant points: e.g. transport hubs.
• The police will continue to work with our partners and communities at local, county, regional and national level to prevent terrorism.
• We need our communities to help defeat terrorism. We need all our communities to be vigilant and to report any suspicious behaviour to the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789321.