UK Counter-Terrorism (merged thread)

**davidbfpo** · 06-26-2018

From the BBC News a pre-sentencing report on a Jihadist attacker:

Khalid Ali was carrying three knives when he was tackled by armed officers near Downing Street in April 2017 - and was just moments from being able to attack police, politicians or military personnel. But unknown to him, clues picked up from bomb parts recovered from Afghanistan more than four years earlier meant that police were watching his every move....Ali's mother - concerned by his behaviour - went to his room and found four knives, which she took to a different part of the house....On his return an argument broke out when Ali realised the knives were missing. His mother called the police.

Link:https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-44570128

**davidbfpo** · 07-20-2018

An update on sentencing:

A plumber has been jailed for life for planning a terror attack in Westminster and making bombs for the Taliban. It was later revealed that he had spent five years in Afghanistan making bombs. He will serve with a minimum term of 40 years for preparing an act of terrorism in the UK and two counts of possessing an explosive substance with intent.

A rather confident explanation by the police in the circumstances:

Police earlier defended the decision not to arrest Ali until April 2017, saying security services had been "managing any potential risk he posed" and that he was arrested at the most appropriate time".

Link:https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-44901792

**AdamG** · 08-14-2018

Car collides with barriers outside Parliament at 7.37am
Woman in hospital with "serious" injuries, two others treated
Male driver arrested on suspicion of terror offences
Man, in his 20s, not co-operating with police
Met Police treating crash as terror incident
Cordons in place and Westminster Tube station remains closed

https://news.sky.com/story/live-pede...ament-11472260

**davidbfpo** · 10-14-2018

One of the unique features of UK CT is the role of the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation (IRTL), held so far by an eminent lawyer and the current incumbent, Max Hill, is moving now to be the Director of Public Prosecutions, heading the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in England and Wales.
He has just submitted his final report to the government, published online and spoke last week at an event. Within are some figures of note, such as the numbers of those arrested for terrorism who are charged in the last year: in Great Britain 33% (it was 73% last year) and in Northern Ireland 6%.
Link to speech (10 pgs.):https://terrorismlegislationreviewer...ITY-SUMMIT.pdf

Link to his report (149 pgs.):https://terrorismlegislationreviewer...orismacts2017/

**davidbfpo** · 10-27-2018

I am adding four articles that provide the context for UK CT. All of them have a common theme, which I'd call "Don't panic, it's getting worse". Whether it is the lack of CT policing resources or the growing polarization within communities. The first two articles which refer to policing are undoubtedly intended to influence the forthcoming Budget speech, in brief "We need more money".

First the UK's most senior CT police officer, which is headlined:

UK police not a match for evolving terrorism threat, says top office; Neil Basu says forces not able to deal effectively with 700 live terrorism investigations

Link:https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/...cer-neil-basu?

Second a far wider parliamentary report on policing, headlined:

Committee warns of “dire consequences” without extra police funding

Link:https://www.parliament.uk/business/c...blished-17-19/

Third an article on the findings of the new counter-extremism commissioner:

UK towns ‘polarised’ by rise of far right;Anti-extremism commissioner Sarah Khan ‘shocked by climate of intolerance’

Link:https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/...-commissioner?

Fourth and a long read on the most public face of the extreme right, Tommy Robinson (although not his real name). It is interesting, though not an impartial explanation. Sub-titled:

he former EDL leader is one of a new breed of entrepreneurial activists who are bringing extremist myths into the mainstream – while also claiming they are being silenced

Link:https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...s-new-playbook

**davidbfpo** · 12-07-2018

Published this week was the official Home Office statistics for CT arrests etc for the quarter up to September 2018. Due to other matters it appears to have not been covered by the BBC, although I saw a London newspaper had an item far into the paper.

Link:https://assets.publishing.service.go...8-hosb2918.pdf

**davidbfpo** · 01-11-2019

A commentary on terrorism in the UK by a UK journalist. He ends with:

I would like to believe that the terror threat has receded but that would be foolish. Like all wars, this one will come to an end, but it will be a while yet.

Link:https://www.spectator.co.uk/2019/01/...ear-heres-why/