Report terrorism and suspicious activity

Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) - Report suspicious activity and behaviour to tackle terrorism

If you've seen or heard something that could potentially be related to terrorism, report it.

Help the police tackle terrorism and save lives by reporting suspicious behaviour and activity.

Don't worry about wasting police time. No call or click will be ignored.

What you tell the police is treated in confidence and is researched by experienced officers before, and if, any police action is taken.

Any piece of information could be important, it is better to be safe and report.

If you notice suspicious activity, behaviour or packages, you can:

• Report it online at GOV.UK: ACT - Report terrorism
• call the police confidentially on 0800 789 321

All reports are kept confidential and you can report anonymously.

In an emergency always call 999.

If you're worried someone might be radicalised

For information on what to do if you are worried someone is at risk of being radicalised, see If you're worried someone might be radicalised (PREVENT strategy).

Like other criminals, terrorists need to plan. You can report suspicious activity or behaviour - anything that seems out of place, unusual or just doesn't seem to fit in with everyday life.

Some examples of suspicious activity or behaviour could potentially include:

Research

• Do you know someone who looks at extremist material, including on the so-called Dark Web, or shares and creates content that promotes or glorifies terrorism?
• Have you noticed someone embracing or actively promoting hateful ideas or an extremist ideology?
• Meetings, training and planning can take place anywhere. Do you know someone who travels but is vague about where they're going?
• Do you know someone with passports or other documents in different names for no obvious reason?

Gathering materials

• Suspicious materials can be ordered online as well as in store. Have you noticed someone receiving deliveries for unusual items bought online?
• If you work in commercial vehicle hire or sales, has a sale or rental seemed unusual?
• Have you noticed someone buying large or unusual quantities of chemicals, fertilisers or gas cylinders for no obvious reason?
• Have you noticed someone acquiring illegal firearms or other weapons or showing an interest in obtaining them?

Storing materials

• Terrorists need to store equipment while preparing for an attack. Have you noticed anyone storing large amounts of chemicals, fertilisers or gas cylinders?
• Have you noticed anyone storing illegal firearms or objects that could potentially be weapons? 

Hostile reconnaissance

• Observation and surveillance help terrorist plan attacks. Have you witnessed anyone taking pictures or notes of security arrangements or CCTV?

Financing

• Cheque and credit card fraud are ways of generating cash. Have you noticed any suspicious or unusual bank transactions?

It's okay if the information you provide turns out to be wrong.

If you have a genuine concern about something you've seen or heard, the police would much rather you told them than keep it to yourself. Specially trained officers can look into it.

If it turns out to be nothing, that's good news.