A CAMPAIGN has been launched to fight crime and terror at Hampshire ports, amid reports British sites are at the top of a new list of ISIS targets.

Workers at Southampton International Port along with other ports in the county are being reminded to be on the lookout for suspicious activity.

Crimestoppers began the Portsafe campaign this week – just over 12 hours before the Manchester terror attack – warning staff not to be complacent when observing colleagues and on-site workers.

Sarah-Jane Prew, regional manager at Crimestoppers, said: “While much attention is rightly focused on warning the public to be mindful of possible crime, including terrorism, it’s just as important to reiterate to staff the importance of being vigilant.

“Criminal activity and terrorist activities can – in the worst case scenario – involve staff. Often co-workers might feel uncomfortable at raising suspicions over a colleague.

“However, safety at our ports is paramount. We hope that by promoting Portsafe through a variety of mechanisms across Hampshire’s commercial ports, it will act as a consistent reminder to pay more attention to what is seen and report where necessary.”

The port supports 15,000 local jobs and handles 900,000 vehicles every year, contributing a total of £1bn to the UK economy.

A national newspaper reported on Monday that British ports are at the top of a new list of ISIS targets.

It is claimed that intelligence reports revealed plots to attach explosives to the side of vessels carrying millions of tons of liquid natural gas from the Middle East to Britain.

A senior Naval source has been reported as saying that the threat against gas tankers has been countered ever since it came to light a couple of years ago.