As a regular user of the internet and social media, we know the power of online material and the good that it can do. Whether it’s educating people about how to do CPR, highlighting the exceptional work of our staff in delivering clinical care in an emergency or advising the public when to call 999, we’re able to spread good news and useful information to more people than ever before.
Unfortunately, there are significant concerns internationally about how terrorists and extremists are using the use of the internet and social media to spread words of hate, violence and extreme views. They are known to target young and vulnerable individuals with the intention of grooming them into terrorist activity.
Andy Proctor, Head of Safeguarding and Prevent Lead for the Trust, said: “This weekend, the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit (CTIRU) along with colleagues from other specialist UK and international police partners will be carrying out internet searches and responding to public referrals about terrorist and extremist online content.
“It will further encourage key website holders to add a ‘Red STOP Button’ reporting tool to their websites to enable anyone who has concerns about online content to report it. WMAS fully supports the campaign to keep the young and vulnerable members of our communities safe.”
