Three British police forces have announced new anti terrorism measures which will involve armed officers carrying out road checks during the coming weeks. They will also take part in a poster campaign giving a freephone number for information about suspicious activity.
The initiative has been taken by Northumbria, Durham and Cleveland forces. Northumbria's Assistant Chief Constable, Mr Alan Brown, said that, although there was no evidence of a terrorist cell in the area, "it would be foolish to contemplate no activity".
The Cleveland Assistant Chief Constable, Mr Richard Brunstrom, said: "It is extremely difficult being in an IRA active service unit - they must be frightened all the time. We want to disrupt terrorists' lives - we want them to know we are out to get them."