A striking new poster has been put out to urge people on the coast to keep their eyes peeled for terrorism and organised crime.

It urges people to report anything they see that’s suspicious rather than ignore it.

The image, put out in the Dover and Deal area, is for a multi-agency campaign called Project Kraken.

This involves groups such as the UK Border Force, which deals with illegal migrant arrivals, the National Crime Agency and Kent Police.

It asks for people to look out for things such as boats arriving at unusual times or in isolated locations and people taking an interest in port security or buildings.

Charlie Elphicke, MP for Dover and Deal, said: “It’s very important to be vigilant.

"But in terms of people trafficking, this is the wrong thing to be focusing on.

"We need stronger border security on the French side of the Channel.

“The best way to deter these dangerous crossings is for traffickers to know they will not succeed.

"Yet if they have reached our waters, they have succeeded.

“That’s why we need the Channel to be made a joint UK/France security zone with 24/7 aerial surveillance along the French coast, so that migrants can be picked up and returned safely to France.”

The poster illustration shows the words: 'Seen something suspicious' within a lighthouse beam.

Despite its eye-catching modern graphics, the message bears similarity to Second World War public safety and vigilance posters.

It comes amid forecasts of a three week heatwave.

And in recent fine weather Border Force has had to deal with an influx of migrants who have succeeded in crossing the channel, landing on beaches including Kingsdown.

Project Kraken also involves the Association of Chief Police Officers and Action Counters Terrorism (ACT).

It specifically seeks the help of members of the public who work in the maritime industries, or near a harbour.

It is also for those who dive, fish, visit the coast regularly or live there.

Organisers want to tap these people’s local knowledge and experience to notice something unusual.

Other things they ask people to look out for include vessels with unusual modifications or minor damage.

It also asks people to look out for attempts to signal to vessels offshore or guide them into an unusual landfall.

A joint statement from two migrant charities, Dover-based Samphire and Canterbury-based Kent Refugee Action Network, said: "This poster fails to convey that only desperate people fleeing persecution would make this dangerous journey across the Channel to reach the UK.

"Anyone who sees people arriving on our shores should alert the authorities so that immediate medical help and care can be provided as it is likely the passengers will be suffering from hypothermia and trauma.

"In our experience the people making this extremely dangerous journey are refugees and asylum seekers who have a right to seek refuge in the UK."

The authorities say that "Anybody who sees something suspicious around a coastline or waterway should report it, quoting KRAKEN.

They are asked to record as much details as possible. This can by done by the Country Eye app.

For non-urgent crime call 101 or in an emergency, or if life is in danger, dial 999 or to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.