British police launches anti-terror drive before Olympics

London: Ahead of the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympic Games, British police has launched an anti-terrorism campaign by calling on the public to help it find potential terrorists.

The British police, government and armed forces have increased their vigilance for terror attacks since the beginning of 2012, as part of a strategy to protect the London Olympics and Paralympic Games from terrorist attacks, Xinhua reported. The campaign will be carried out for next four weeks in local newspapers across London, on the radio, and via leaflets distributed to 1.4 million homes. London`s police force, the Metropolitan Police, is the driving force behind the latest campaign. It is also the coordinating body for Britain`s anti-terrorism strategies as well as the police force responsible for most of the Olympic and Paralympic Games venues. "The terrorist threat to London, and Britain generally, remains real and serious, so it is vital that everyone continues to be vigilant and aware," said Metropolitan Police deputy assistant commissioner Stuart Osborne. "We at the Metropolitan Police Service have a key role in countering this threat, whether it is from Al-Qaeda inspired groups or individuals, or Irish Dissident Republican Groups." Osborne, who is also senior national coordinator for counter terrorism, called on ordinary people to report anything suspicious, no matter how trivial it might seem. He also called on family members to contact police if they believed something suspicious was going on. The appeal came with just 165 days to go before the London Olympic Games start July 27. IANS