UK Counter-Terrorism (merged thread)

[davidbfpo]

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]

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]

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]

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/

[davidbfpo]

To accompany a new police CT advert (57 seconds) the senior UK CT police officer appeared this week.
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RX6x...ature=youtu.be

It is curious how three different outlets reported his remarks and their titles:

The BBC:

Far-right groups could exploit Brexit tensions - police

Link:https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-46965780

The Guardian:

Far right may exploit Brexit tensions, says UK counter-terror chief

Link:https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/jan/23/no-deal-brexit-incredibly-damaging-security-says-uk-counter-terror-head-neil-basu?

The Independent:

Public tip-offs to terror police halve in year, officials warn as more UK plots foiled

Link:http://https://www.independent.co.uk...-a8741411.html

From the later:

Mr Basu said the flow of intelligence from members of the public was vital. “I know some people are still reluctant to speak to us,” he acknowledged. “To them I say, reporting your concerns to us won’t ruin lives, but it might save them.”
In 2017, more than 31,000 reports were made to counterterror police, but last year the number fell to 13,000.
In both years, more than a fifth of tips were “very significant”, leading to the identification of a suspect or plot, or aiding prosecutions.

Locally a senior CTU officer added a little, with my emphasis:

However, crucial intelligence from the public has helped the police and the security services have prevented 18 terror attacks in just under two years. Twenty-two per cent of all reports we receive from members of the public produce important intelligence which is helpful to our investigations. “Like other criminals, terrorists need to plan and that creates opportunities for police and the security services to discover and stop these attacks before they happen. So if you see or hear something unusual or suspicious trust your instincts and ACT by reporting it in confidence by phone or online. The important thing for people to remember is that no report is a waste of our time. Reporting your concerns to us won’t ruin lives, but it might save them."

Link:https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/...-west-midlands

[davidbfpo]

An in depth article on the investigation that led to this aspiring Muslim convert conviction for plotting an attack in one of London's main shopping streets; known in the CT arena as an 'iconic' site.

A couple of interesting aspects:

For 10 years, there were attempts to enrol Ludlow in the (voluntary) government's de-radicalisation programme Prevent, but he resisted until October 2017 when he began a series of 17 meetings with an assigned mentor. Ludlow sought to create the impression he was positively engaging with the scheme, which appears to have been accepted by those managing his involvement, but in fact his terrorist activity was only increasing.

His jihadist mentor being from the Phillipines:

The device (mobile phone) revealed he had been using encrypted messaging applications to communicate with a Philippines-based IS militant and was planning to move there permanently.A subsequent official decision to revoke his passport angered Ludlow and he then switched his attention to planning an attack in the UK, encouraged and directed by a radicalised medic called Eyadzhemar Abdusalam who used the epithet Abu Yaqeen.

Link:https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-47458354

[davidbfpo]

David Anderson, a lawyer and former Independent Reviewer of CT Legislation (highly regarded by many), recently gave a speech to a university journalism course. Naturally the focus is on journalism, including them investigating and interviewing suspects and others. It is also a good commentary on several aspects of UK CT policy and practice.
Link:https://www.daqc.co.uk/wp-content/up.../03/This-1.pdf