Police need the public to feel confident enough to report their terrorism concerns more. But research has found that people are reluctant to call, as they fear they may be inconsequential, and may waste police time.

To inspire people to feel confident in calling the police, we told true stories where information from the public has been the key turning point that has enabled police to prevent a major terrorist attack.

'code: SEVERE' is a documentary podcast series telling the inside stories of real terrorist attacks, written with unprecedented access to Counter Terrorism Police files. The podcasts were launched on iTunes, with episodes of up to 23 minutes duration, and reached number 2 in the iTunes Podcast Chart within four days.

Interviews with those involved in the attacks - Counter Terrorism officers, witnesses and the terrorists themselves - brought to life the human stories, with moments of tension, horror, shock, triumph, and relief. Originally composed music scored the narratives, creating a range of moods from tension to menace, paranoia, and finally reassurance. The music also provided a cohesive thread throughout diverse audio elements - interviews, surveillance recordings, court evidence, media coverage, recorded SFX and Foley. The series was hosted by A-list Hollywood actor Mark Strong ('Zero Dark Thirty', 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy') and directed by double-BAFTA winning director Dominic Savage.

The terror threat in the UK is currently at SEVERE, meaning an attack is ‘highly likely’.

The campaign was made to inspire people to feel confident in calling the police to report suspicions, and each podcast told a true story of where information from the public has been the turning point that’s enabled police to prevent a terrorist attack.

Podcasts were an appropriate medium, as young adults, who report concerns the least, form the largest demographic listening to podcasts, and executionally, they were the perfect medium for rich, complex, long-form story-telling.

Counter Terrorism Police reported a 55% increase in calls during the campaign.

- Counter Terrorism Police reported a 55% increase in calls during the campaign.

- Code: SEVERE became the highest new entry in the iTunes podcast chart, reaching number 2 within 4 days of launch.

- Above Serial, TEDTalks, and Missing Richard Simmons.

- Episodes received consistent 4–5* ratings

- Podcasts featured in Wired, BBC News, BBC radio, ITV, Sky,& The Sun, The Times, The Guardian, & Business Insider.