A counter-terrorism campaign targeting mother and daughter relationships is being launched in Buckinghamshire in an effort to prevent young people from travelling to Syria.

The South East Counter Terrorism Unit (SECTU), which is part of the National Police Counter Terrorism Network, is pushing ahead with the next phase of its campaign designed to reach out to families.

Buckinghamshire has seen a number of terror-related arrests and activity, especially in the past year.

In November, Yousaf Syed, of West Wycombe Road, was charged with terror offences and is currently awaiting trial after dozens of officers swooped on a Desborough Avenue property days before Remembrance Sunday.

Just weeks earlier, it was revealed that counter-terrorism officers were due to visit the Royal Grammar School following fears that former pupil, Shabazz Suleman, had joined ISIS.

Shabazz reportedly later boasted about his lifestyle while being held by Turkish authorities, warning that there were “so many brothers just waiting for the order to do attacks on the west”, in an interview with The Times.

In August, former Cressex School pupil, Omar Hussain, spoke of his hatred for the UK in an interview with the BBC’s Newsnight, in which he laughed about beheading his enemies.

SECTU’s campaign, which is being promoted by Thames Valley Police, will involve radio and press adverts appearing in minority ethnic media across the country this week.

The main focus of the adverts will be to highlight the strong bong between mother and daughter and how the relationship can have a powerful influence on a young woman and her decisions.

The material is designed to encourage mothers to have frank discussions with their daughters about issues such as travelling to Syria and what they are viewing online.

In the last year, 22 females have been reported missing to police by families who feared they have travelled to Syria.

Helen Ball, senior national coordinator for counter terrorism policing, said: “This advertising campaign is part of our sustained efforts to continue to raise awareness around this very serious issue.

“We care deeply about the well-being of women and girls throughout the world. We reject the degrading treatment of women by terrorist organisations and seek to prevent the tragedies caused by it.

“We are increasingly concerned about the numbers of young women who have travelled or are intending to travel to Syria. It is an extremely dangerous place and the reality of the lifestyle they are greeted with when they arrive is far from that promoted online by terrorist groups.

“The option of returning home is often taken away from them, leaving families at home devastated and with very few options to secure a safe return for their loved one.

“We want to increase families their confidence in the police and partners to encourage them to come forward at the earliest opportunity so that we can intervene and help.”

Kalsoom Bashir, from Inspire, said: “Having seen the devastation facing families where a loved one has travelled to Syria I would advise families to keep their children close – to constantly remind them that they are loved, that they are part of a strong family network and that they can talk to you about anything they are worried about.”

Police hope that by encouraging mothers to have an open dialogue with their daughters, potential interest in travelling to Syria will be detected at an early stage.

Families are also encouraged to reach specially trained officers for help and advice by calling 101 or visiting www.preventtragedies.co.uk