LATEST figures from UK national counter terrorism policing show that women and girls are continuing to travel to Syria.

Last week, UK police service and partners launched a new film urging mothers to prevent further tragedies.

The short film focuses on three Syrian refugee mothers speaking directly to mothers in the UK about the realities of life in Syria and asking why any woman would want to take their family to live in a war zone.

It is complemented by open letters that the women have written urging mothers in this country to take steps to prevent their daughters travelling to Syria.

The film, which has been developed in association with the charity Families Against Stress and Trauma, was released on the same day as new figures which reveal that, between January 1 and December 31 last year, 56 women and girls were reported missing to the police by their families, all feared to have travelled to Syria.

The importance of the role of mothers in deterring other family members from travelling is also highlighted in the full findings of an online survey, carried out between March and April last year by national counter terrorism policing. The survey revealed that two thirds (66 per cent) of 11 to 25 years old who were asked which family member they were most likely to talk to said they would speak to their mother if they were worried about someone they knew being radicalised or considering travelling to a war zone abroad.

Assistant Chief Constable Laura Nicholson, head of the South East Counter Terrorism Unit and Organised Crime Unit, said: “People can be often unaware of the dangers they face travelling to a conflict zone. Women play an important part in helping deter loved ones from travelling to conflict zones such as Syria.

“I ask everyone to watch the personal accounts of three Syrian mothers talk about the reality of living with their children in a conflict zone.

“Let’s all help young women and mothers in the UK stop and think about the huge mistake they would be making if they travel to Syria.”

Help and advice is available from a wide range of agencies.

Anyone who is worried about a loved one and concerned they are considering travelling to Syria is encouraged to reach specially trained police officers by calling 101 or visiting preventtragedies.co.uk.