COMMUNITY police will be taking to the streets in Clackmannanshire this week to spread awareness of anti-terror operations and reassure the public.

Starting from today (Friday), uniformed officers will be conducting additional patrols in the high streets with a message of "be alert, not alarmed".

The UK Counter Terrorism network's Counter Terrorism Awareness Week runs until Sunday, December 4, and a number of community events have been scheduled to coincide with the expected increase of Christmas shoppers in public areas.

Also, results from Police Scotland's Your View Counts public consultation survey found that counter-terrorism should be a key policing priority.

Superintendent Stephen McAllister, divisional commander for police in Forth Valley, said: "There will need to be a balance of alerting people, without alarming them.

"We know that the threat in the UK is severe and that an attack is highly likely. I think the events in Paris a year ago is something that has helped bring this issue home to many.

"You look at what they did there: They went for soft targets and so you can see where the potential threat lies for people.

"Terrorism is not something that happens in far off places; it is something that can happen in your backyard unfortunately. At a football game, club or a restaurant.

"People are acutely aware of this, of what is going on, and I think that's why so many told us it should be a priority."

Supt. McAllister added: "Our message is to be alert to anything suspicious – anything that might look out of the ordinary.

"And really that goes for all types of criminality. We rely so much on the support of the public in dealing with any crime and we want people to pick up the phone and tell us if they have seen something.

"We will be out in the town centres today, handing out awareness messages, and again at night in and around the pubs and clubs.

"Our intention is not to alarm anyone but just to keep them aware of the things we are doing to keep people safe."

In total, over 500 Police Scotland resources will be utilised on the day, with numerous representatives from a variety of partner agencies also supporting the activity.

Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins, Police Scotland's national protect and prepare lead, added: "Friday, November 25 is traditionally a busy shopping day with the start of the Christmas shopping sales, meaning towns and cities across the country will be extremely busy.

"We will be working alongside many partners including British Transport Police, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Scottish Ambulance Service, Scottish Business Resilience Centre, Security Industry Authority, and the Scottish Licensed Trade Association during the initiative and throughout Counter Terrorism Awareness Week.

"Together, we will carry out a range of activities across Scotland, including high visibility patrols and engagement events.

"I would stress that this initiative is not being carried out in response to any specific intelligence, but to ensure our communities have all the information and support they require to keep safe by being alert, not alarmed, remaining vigilant and reporting any suspicious behaviour.

"It has often been said that 'communities defeat terrorism' and I am firmly of the belief that this is the case. We must all ensure that the threat posed by terrorists operating world-wide does not undermine the positive relationships which exist across communities in Scotland."