Preventing terrorism remains one of the UK’s top priorities and police across the South East are now appealing for the public to help, just days after a High Wycombe teenager was charged for terrorism offences.

Officers of the South East Counter Terrorism Unit (SECTU) and Thames Valley Police are appealing for residents and businesses to remain vigilant to help keep their neighbourhood and the wider community safe.

Detective Chief Inspector Dennis Evernden from SECTU has now spoken out about how the threat has changed with ‘violent extremists now often born and bred in the UK’.

This appeal comes days after 19-year-old Yousaf Shah Syed was formally charged with committing acts of terrorism, jointly engaged in conduct in preparation for giving effect to their intention, contrary to section 5(1) of the Terrorism Act 2006.

The man was detained on November 6 after 40 officers, some armed, swooped on a Desborough Avenue property and he was charged on Thursday, November 20.

Two other men have also been charged while a fourth man was released without charge.

Detective Chief Inspector Evernden said: “The danger we face from violent extremists has changed; they are no longer a distant problem in countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Now they are often born and bred in the UK, becoming radicalised by images and messages they read on the internet and social media.

“SECTU is continuing to work all day every day to investigate and prevent terrorist threats in the south east region and beyond, but the public’s help is essential.

“The UK’s counter-terrorism strategy CONTEST focuses on four key areas; pursue, prevent, protect and prepare. It is in the areas of ‘protect’ and ‘prepare’ that the help of the public is absolutely vital.

“We need the public to continue to be vigilant to things that are out of place or suspicious and report it to the police.

"We also need businesses to ensure that their security measures are effective and that their staff are trained to detect threats and respond to potential attacks.

“We know that attacks will often be targeted to public areas. Businesses, and the staff that work for them, have a vital role in reducing these risks and calling the police when something seems suspicious. Often they will be the first to spot that something is wrong.”

Over the course of this week SECTU hope to focus on five key areas where action by the police, businesses and the public can prevent terrorism.

This included vigilance in crowded places and transport hubs, preventing violent extremism, cutting off terrorist financing, and preventing access to tools that terrorists need to operate.

Specially targeted events, training sessions and other activity will be ongoing during the week to help the public and businesses become more aware as to how they can assist in preventing terrorism.

SECTU will also be using social media to engage people in the conversation. The public may notice an increase in patrols and activity of police, other law enforcement and security guards during the awareness week.

Officers from across the region are asking people to get in touch if they know anything or suspect something; your information could save lives. All information will be dealt with sensitively and proportionately. If you suspect anything call 101 or the Anti-Terrorism Hotline 0800 789 321.