In the wake of the terrorist attacks in Paris last week, Met police chiefs are urging residents in Brent and across London to join them in tackling the threat of extremism by participating in Counter Terrorism Awareness Week.

Citing the “sickening and horrific” attacks which claimed the lives of 130 in Paris last Friday, counter terrorism chiefs have underlined the key role residents can play in reporting suspicious behaviour and remaining vigilant.

From today until Friday 27 November, advice and activities will be available each day to help parents, teachers, friends and community members in Brent and across London join the fight against extremism and radicalisation.

Advice, available via live web chats or published online, will focus on a different aspect of counterterrorism each day including: attack planning; protecting businesses and crowded places; cyber attacks; and online extremism and radicalisation.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, from the UK Counter Terrorism Policing Network said: “I cannot overstate the importance of the role the public plays in helping to protect the UK against the threat of terrorism.

“Since the threat level was raised to ‘severe’ last year, police activity has increased accordingly in terms of number of arrests and investigations we’re carrying out.

“But just as importantly, we’re getting more calls and more information from the public which is vital to us.”

“Whilst recent events in Paris were both sickening and horrific, people shouldn’t feel powerless.

“There is still lots you can do as ordinary members of the public, as neighbours, as employees and even as parents to keep an eye out for the unusual and let us know.”

Throughout the week, specialist counterterrorism officers and experts will also be carrying out a series of web chats on the @PoliceChiefs Twitter account to give advice and answer questions on:

-What to do if you come across extremist or terrorist content online

- What to do about a friend or relative who could be vulnerable to radicalization

-How businesses can protect against the threat of attack - both physical and cyber

-How to protect your computer and hardware equipment from malicious intrusion

Anyone concerned about a loved-one becoming radicalized can access advice on how to report suspicious activity through the Anti-Terrorist Hotline (0800 789 321) or report it online at www.gov.uk/report-terrorism.