{UAH} Prevent Strategy - Gov.uk

Below is the UK government strategy on Terrorism. Its primary focus is
on Preventing Terrorism from occurring, or Preventing Young People
from being radicalised so that they become terrorists. Some human
rights groups have complained about the Prevent strategy, in that it
restricts civil liberies and gives too much power to security agencies
to gather information on perfectly legitimate activities. Professional
organisations for doctors, teachers, social workers and allied trades
have also complained very bitterly because the strategy now puts a
duty on them to report suspected terrorists or plans for terrorist
activities to the authorities. A Nursery teacher for eg must report to
the authrorities if a child begins acting strangely, for eg chanting
songs such on jihad, suc as "Allah Akbar" etc. A doctor must report a
patient, if he suspects he has sustained injuries in a terror related
activity or confesses to a planned or actual terrorist offence.
Muslim groups on the other hand complain the strategy focuses only on
Muslms, and that by definition, it assumes terrorism in the UK is
committed only by muslims. Equally employers and other busines
organisations, landlords etc must report suspected terrorist
activities. Failure to cooperate amounts to a criminal offence in most
cases, and a loss of licence to trade or operate.

Bobby

Prevent Strategy - Gov.uk
https://www.gov.uk/government/.../prevent-strategy-review.pdf‎CachedSimilar
therefore vital that our counter-terrorism strategy contains a plan to prevent
radicalisation .... confidence and cooperation from the British Government and
public.

2010 to 2015 government policy: counter-terrorism
The previous URL of this page was
https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/protecting-the-uk-against-terrorism.
Current policies can be found at the GOV.UK policies list.

Issue

The threat to the UK and our interests from international terrorism is
severe. This means that a terrorist attack is highly likely.

The terrorist threats we face now are more diverse than before,
dispersed across a wider geographical area, and often in countries
without effective governance. We therefore face an unpredictable
situation, with potentially more frequent, less sophisticated
terrorist attacks.

The most significant terrorist threat to the UK and our interests
overseas comes from the Al Qa'ida senior leadership based in the
border areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan and their affiliates and
supporters in other areas.

Actions

The Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism, in the Home Office,
works to counter the threat from terrorism. Their work is covered in
the government's counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST.

The strategy is based on 4 areas of work:

•pursue: to stop terrorist attacks

•prevent: to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism

•protect: to strengthen our protection against a terrorist attack

•prepare: to mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack

We are developing and improving our work to protect the UK from
terrorism. In particular, we are:

•carrying out a communications capabilities development programme,
which will give us the ability to continue to protect the public in
the future, as internet-based communications become increasingly
widespread

•using science and technology to counter the threat from terrorism

•supporting the UK security industry to export their products and
expertise to other countries hosting major international events

•working with the Northern Ireland Office and the relevant authorities
in Northern Ireland to help counter the severe threat from terrorism
in Northern Ireland

Background

National Security Strategy
In October 2010, the government published a new National Security
Strategy which identified terrorism as one of the 4 highest risks we
face. In the strategy we committed to giving top priority to
countering the threat from terrorism at home and overseas.

CONTEST strategy
In July 2011, we published the third version of the UK's
counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST. The strategy set out the threat
we face and our priorities for dealing with it through to 2015.

When we published the CONTEST strategy, we committed to producing an
annual report setting out the progress we've achieved against the
strategy's objectives.

Review of counter-terrorism powers
In January 2011 the Home Secretary published the findings from the
review of the most sensitive CT and security powers. This led to 3 new
pieces of legislation (see below).

Review of the Prevent strategy
In 2011 Lord Carlile of Berriew carried out a review into the Prevent
strategy. After the consultation we updated the strategy. We now deal
more proportionately with all kinds of terrorist threat and
concentrate on some aspects of non-violent extremism that create an
environment conducive to radicalisation.

Bills and legislation
Terrorism Act 2000
The Terrorism Act 2000 provides the legal basis for prosecuting
terrorists and proscribing organisations (ie banning them from
operating in the UK).

The Home Office publishes the criteria for proscribing organisations
and a list of the organisations that are proscribed.

Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 repealed the stop and search
powers known as 'Section 44' and replaced them with fairer and more
specific powers.

The new stop and search powers enable the police to protect the public
but also make sure that there are strong safeguards to prevent a
return to the previous excessive use of stop and search without
suspicion.

The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 also reduced the maximum period
that a terrorist suspect could be detained before they are charged or
released from 28 to 14 days. Control orders were repealed and replaced
with a more streamlined and less intrusive system.

The act ended the use of the most intrusive Regulation of
Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) powers by local authorities to
investigate low level offences. It introduced a requirement that
applications by local authorities to use any RIPA techniques must be
approved by a magistrate.

Find out more about RIPA

Terrorism Prevention and Investigations Measures Act 2011
In December 2011 the Terrorism Prevention and Investigations Measures
Act 2011 introduced the new system of terrorism prevention and
investigation measures.

These measures protect the public from the small number of people who
pose a real terrorist threat to our security but who cannot be
prosecuted, or in the case of foreign nationals, deported.

Communications data legislation
We published a draft Communications Data Bill on 14 June 2012. A Joint
Committee of both Houses of Parliament scrutinised the draft Bill and
reported on 11 December 2012 . The Intelligence and Security
Committee also conducted its own inquiry into the draft Bill and
published its full report, Access to communications data by the
intelligence and security agencies, on 5 February 2013. In their
findings both committees recognised the need for new laws.

Communications data acquisition powers are primarily regulated by the
Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) , which contains
a number of robust safeguards and is fully compliant with the UK's
human rights obligations.

The Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Act (DRIPA) was passed in
July 2014. The legislation was brought forward after the European
Court of Justice declared the European Data Retention Directive (which
formed the basis of the 2009 UK regulations governing the retention of
communications data by communication service providers) invalid. The
Act maintains the status quo by providing a clear basis in UK law for
the retention of communications data; however its provisions expire at
the end of 2016.

Gaps in communications data capabilities have a serious impact on our
law enforcement and intelligence agencies' ability to do their jobs.
One such gap is internet protocol (IP) address resolution. The Counter
Terrorism and Security Act 2015 contains a provision on IP resolution.
This will improve the ability of law enforcement agencies to identify
which device is responsible for sending a communication on the
internet or accessing an internet communications service.

This is a significant step in the right direction but further
legislation is needed to address the capability gaps we still face. We
need to ensure that cyberspace does not become a haven for terrorists,
paedophiles and other criminals.

Read more about communications data.

Justice and Security Bill
The Justice and Security Bill is being considered by Parliament.
The bill will:

•make the government and the intelligence services more accountable to
the courts – it will introduce Closed Material Hearings in a very
limited number of cases, so the court will be able to hear the case -
and see all the evidence - regardless of how much information relating
to national security is involved

•stop people, including those with no connection to the UK, using the
Norwich Pharmacal jurisdiction of the court to get access to
intelligence material which, if made public, could compromise national
security

•make the intelligence services more accountable to Parliament for
their actions - the bill extends the committee's remit and improves
Parliamentary oversight so that Parliament, not the Prime Minister,
will have the final say on the membership of the Intelligence and
Security Committee

Who we've consulted
Over the last 2 years the Home Office has consulted with the public
and relevant interested parties on a number of issues relating to
counter terrorism.

In November 2010 we undertook a 3 month consultation process about the
Prevent strategy - this resulted in a revised and updated strategy
published in June 2011.

In March 2011 we consulted on a new code of practice for the use of
closed circuit television (CCTV) systems and other similar
surveillance systems.

In September 2011 we consulted on proposals to introduce a statutory
authority to carry scheme, which would prevent individuals who pose a
terrorist threat from flying to the UK. We published the government
response in April 2012, together with the final security and travel
bans authority to carry scheme, which came into effect in July 2012.

In February 2012 we consulted on a draft code of practice for
counter-terrorism stop and search powers. This consultation followed
the review of the counter-terrorism and security powers, which
recommended that existing stop and search powers be replaced with more
specific measures. Following the consultation we made a number of
changes to the code of practice to ensure the powers are used fairly
and effectively. The code of practice came into operation in July
2012.

In September 2012 we consulted on the operation of Schedule 7 of the
Terrorism Act 2000 in order to ensure that the operation of its
powers is necessary and proportionate. We are now reviewing possible
improvements to the powers.

In December 2012 we consulted on a revised code of practice governing
independent custody visiting for England and Wales. In March 2013 we
published a summary of responses and the final code of practice.

Appendix 1: using science and technology to counter the threat from terrorists
This was a supporting detail page of the main policy document.

The Home Office uses science to counter the threat from technically
aware terrorists, and have an ongoing programme for the procurement of
research solutions. We use a range of sources across government,
industry and academia to support this.

This forms part of our science and technology strategy for countering
international terrorism.

We believe science and technology can help us:

•understand the causes of radicalisation
•protect the national infrastructure
•reduce the vulnerability of crowded places
•protect against cyber terrorism
•improve analytical tools
•identify, detect and counter novel and improvised explosives
•understand and counter chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear
and explosive threats (CBRNE)
Chemical recovery handbook
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has, working with the Home Office,
Defra and other stakeholders, published a chemical recovery handbook
. It provides guidance in managing the recovery phase of chemical
incidents where contamination has affected food production systems,
inhabited areas or water environments.

The UK Recovery Handbook for Chemical Incidents is a user-friendly
guidance document for recovery co-ordination groups and other
stakeholders.

The handbook has been developed with interest and support from
national and international partners, and has been developed following
the model adopted in the UK Recovery Handbook for Radiation Incidents:
2009 .

For more information, email the HPA's chemical recovery team or
telephone 01235 824868.

We have now started working on a biological handbook. This will
compliment existing handbooks on chemical and radiation incidents.

Scientific advice
For policies to be effective, it is essential that we base them on
what works. Scientific advice provides us with clear evidence to help
us weigh up the risks and benefits of a course of action.

We take scientific advice from many sources, including:

•the Chief Scientific Advisor of a government department (usually an
academic from outside the civil service), who provides independent
advice to the minister and management board
•specialist scientists and engineers eg the Centre for Applied Science
and Technology (CAST) provides technical science advice for the Home
Office
•government departments whose work contributes to the Home Office's
counter-terrorism work, including the Department for Transport, the
Department of Health and the Ministry of Defence
•experts in universities, other research bodies and industry
Technical innovations can often support improvements in the delivery
of our policies. This may involve choices between commercially
available technologies or an assessment of how well systems will work.

The government Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA) is responsible to the
Prime Minister for the quality of scientific advice within government.

The GCSA's advice is independent and he or she is supported in his
work by staff in the Government Office for Science.

Each departmental CSA ensures that scientific advice is robust by
encouraging peer review and continued professional development among
government scientists.

We also use Scientific Advisory Councils to provide independent,
expert and strategic advice on the science underpinning specific
policies.

Further information
Further information on Protect, and the work done to strengthen our
protection against terrorist attacks, can be found in the government's
Counter Terrorism Strategy, CONTEST, and in the CONTEST Annual Report

Appendix 2: Prevent
This was a supporting detail page of the main policy document.

Prevent is 1 of the 4 elements of CONTEST, the government's
counter-terrorism strategy. It aims to stop people becoming terrorists
or supporting terrorism.

The Prevent strategy:

•responds to the ideological challenge we face from terrorism and
aspects of extremism, and the threat we face from those who promote
these views
•provides practical help to prevent people from being drawn into
terrorism and ensure they are given appropriate advice and support
•works with a wide range of sectors (including education, criminal
justice, faith, charities, online and health) where there are risks of
radicalisation that we need to deal with
The strategy covers all forms of terrorism, including far right
extremism and some aspects of non-violent extremism. However, we
prioritise our work according to the risks we face. For instance,
following the death of soldier Lee Rigby in Woolwich, the Prime
Minister is leading a task force on tackling extremism and
radicalisation. The special committee, which includes senior members
of the cabinet and security chiefs, builds on the Prevent strategy.

The Home Office works with local authorities, a wide range of
government departments, and community organisations to deliver the
Prevent strategy. The police also play a significant role in Prevent,
in much the same way as they do when taking a preventative approach to
other crimes.

We use a range of measures to challenge extremism in the UK, including:

•where necessary, we have prevented apologists for terrorism and
extremism from travelling to this country
•giving guidance to local authorities and institutions to understand
the threat from extremism and the statutory powers available to them
to challenge extremist speakers
•funding a specialist police unit which works to remove online content
that breaches terrorist legislation
•supporting community based campaigns and activity which can
effectively rebut terrorist and extremist propaganda and offer
alternative views to our most vulnerable target audiences - in this
context we work with a range of civil society organisations
•supporting people who are at risk of being drawn into terrorist
activity through the Channel process, which involves several agencies
working together to give individuals access to services such as health
and education, specialist mentoring and diversionary activities - more
information on Channel can be found in the Channel Guidance and
Channel Vulnerability Assessment
Overseas, we work closely with countries where those who support
terrorism and promote extremism are most active. Our activity is
concentrated on Pakistan, the Middle East and East Africa where
radicalising activity can have a direct impact on communities in the
UK.

We measure the outputs and impact of our work locally and nationally
to make sure the Prevent programme provides value for money.

Further information on Prevent, and the work done to stop people
becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism, can be found in CONTEST,
and in the CONTEST Annual Report. Translations of Prevent's Executive
Summary in Arabic and Urdu, and the Prevent equality impact assessment
are also available.

Appendix 3: Pursue
This was a supporting detail page of the main policy document.

Pursue is 1 of the 4 elements of CONTEST, the government's
counter-terrorism strategy.

The purpose of Pursue is to stop terrorist attacks in this country and
against our interests overseas. This means detecting and investigating
threats at the earliest stage, disrupting terrorist activity before it
can endanger the public and, wherever possible, prosecuting those
responsible.

The government's preferred approach to dealing with terrorists is to
prosecute them, and in the case of foreign nationals, we will
prosecute and deport them.

We make sure that the police and security agencies have the powers
they need to protect the public, but at the same time we make sure
that we preserve the fundamental values that terrorists seek to
undermine.

We reviewed the most sensitive and controversial counter-terrorism and
security powers in 2011. We have implemented the recommendations of
the review, including:

•replacing control orders with the terrorism prevention and
investigation measures
•abolishing section 44 stop and search
•limiting the length of pre-charge detention
This ensures that we strike the right balance between protecting
individual freedoms and national security.

From 2013 to 2015 we will:

•continue to assess our counter-terrorism powers and ensure they are
both effective and proportionate
•improve our ability to prosecute and deport people for
terrorist-related offences
•increase our capabilities to detect, investigate and disrupt terrorist threats
•ensure that judicial proceedings in this country can better handle
sensitive and secret material to serve the interests of both justice
and national security
•work with other countries and multilateral organisations to enable us
to better deal with the threats we face at their source
More information on Pursue, and the methods used to disrupt
terrorist's activities, can be found in the government's Counter
Terrorism Strategy, CONTEST, and in the CONTEST Annual Report.

Memoranda of Understanding on Deportations with Assurances
Where the UK needs to deport someone, but need specific assurances
that they would be treated in line with human rights standards such as
the European Convention on Human Rights, this is done under the
Government's Deportation with Assurances (DWA) policy.

The UK has agreements with a number of countries – usually in the form
of a Memorandum of Understanding between governments – which give
assurances around the treatment of people deported from the UK to one
of these countries, or from one of these countries to the UK.

Appendix 4: Prepare
This was a supporting detail page of the main policy document.

Prepare is 1 of the 4 elements of CONTEST, the government's
counter-terrorism strategy. Prepare aims to mitigate the impact of a
terrorist incident where it cannot be stopped. The Home Office works
with the intelligence agencies and the emergency services to bring a
terrorist attack to an end, and to recover from its aftermath.

Prepare is based on an approach to emergency preparedness that
concentrates on managing common consequences of a wide range of
emergencies, including terrorism.

The Home Office supports the emergency services to enhance their
ability to work together effectively at the scene of a major incident.

We are also enhancing the firearms capabilities of police armed units
and the emergency services more broadly to take account of a Mumbai
style terrorist attack.

From 2013 to 2015, the Home Office's Prepare objectives are to:

•continue to build generic capabilities to respond to and recover from
a wide range of terrorist and other civil emergencies
•improve preparedness for the highest impact risks in the national
risk assessment
•improve the ability of the emergency services to work together during
a terrorist attack - Joint Emergency Services Interoperability
Programme
•enhance communications and information sharing for terrorist attacks
Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Programme
Our emergency services are already among the best in the world, but we
can do more to make sure that the handling of any incident is as
joined-up as possible.

In autumn 2012 the police, fire and ambulance services launched the
Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Programme.

This 2 year programme focuses on improving the immediate emergency
response to any major or complex incident. The projects include work
to ensure that the services:

•have a detailed understanding of each others' roles and responsibilities
•have clear guidance on how to work together where appropriate
•share information quickly and effectively
•can make rapid decisions supported by a joint assessment of risk
All of this will be supported by a greater emphasis on joint training
and exercising at all levels of command.

More information on Prepare, and the work done to reduce the impact of
a terrorist attack, can be found in CONTEST, and in the CONTEST Annual
Report

Appendix 5: Protect
This was a supporting detail page of the main policy document.

Protect is 1 of the 4 elements of CONTEST, the government's
counter-terrorism strategy. Protect aims to strengthen our protection
against terrorist attacks in the UK or against our interests overseas,
and so reduce vulnerability.

From 2013 to 2015 the Home Office is working to:

•strengthen UK border security
•reduce the vulnerability of the transport network
•increase the resilience of the UK's infrastructure
•improve protective security for crowded places
Increasing the resilience of the UK's Critical National Infrastructure (CNI)
Ensuring the security of our national infrastructure is one of the
main Protect priorities as set out in the UK's National Security
Strategy and the UK Counter Terrorism Strategy CONTEST.

The government prioritises its efforts by working with intelligence
agencies, regulators and trade bodies to allow greater cooperation to
encourage owners and operators of CNI to improve protective security.

Protective security is principally achieved by identifying risks,
assessing vulnerabilities and encouraging infrastructure owners and
operators to implement proportionate mitigation measures.

This means putting in place, or building into a design, security
measures and response procedures so that threats may be deterred,
detected, or the consequences of an attack minimised. These measures
aim to either prevent a direct assault on a site or reduce the
potential damage and injuries that could occur should an incident take
place

The Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI) ,
working with lead government departments, provides expert advice on
appropriate and proportionate protective security measures, including
cyber security and personnel security directly to the most critical
sites.

Improving the protective security of crowded places
Crowded places remain an attractive target for terrorists who have
demonstrated that they are likely to target places which are easily
accessible, regularly available and which offer the prospect for an
impact beyond the loss of life alone.

The national network of Counter Terrorism Security Advisers, CPNI and
National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) give advice to
organisations in the public and private sectors to reduce their
vulnerability to attack.

Guidance documents for anyone involved in the design and development
of the built environment are available.

Sector specific guidance documents aimed at owners and operators of
crowded places sites are available on the NaCTSO website .
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