Counter-terrorism

Section 26 of the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 places a duty on certain 'specified authorities' which includes local authorities, schools, universities, health services, police, prisons and probation to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. The UK has a long-term plan for countering both international and domestic terrorism, known as the Contest Strategy, which is divided into four strands:

  • Pursue: is about detecting and disrupting threats of terrorism. It's targeted at those who have committed or who are planning to commit a crime
  • Protect: is concerned with strengthening the country’s infrastructure from an attack, including reducing the vulnerability of the transport network and improving security for crowded places
  • Prepare: focuses on areas of the infrastructure where an attack can't be stopped, and where the aim is to reduce the impact of an attack by preparing to respond effectively
  • Prevent: is an early intervention process and operates in the 'pre-criminal space'. It aims to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism

Shropshire's situation

In respect of terrorism, Shropshire is assessed to be a low risk area, but it's important not to be complacent. There is a particular concern that vulnerable people may be at risk of radicalisation through the influence of others or via the internet, including ideas and issues around their identity. A proportionate response needs to be taken to mitigate any threat, risk or harm posed to vulnerable adults, children and communities from extremist groups. Together we need to promote strong and positive relationships between people from different backgrounds in the workplace, schools and within communities.

Preventative steps taken in Shropshire

In order to raise awareness beyond the specific duties of the specified authorities it's important that there's a ‘joined up’ and multi-agency approach to counter-terrorism in Shropshire. Therefore, multi-agency partnership working focuses on the following:

  1. Provide reassurance that at a county level there are effective mechanisms in place to ensure Shropshire is meeting its counter-terrorism duty
  2. Share good practice on staff training and workforce development
  3. Have a co-ordinated approach to the support available in the county
  4. Ensure effective communication and raise awareness of the duty and the risks in Shropshire
  5. Identify areas of learning
  6. Respond to the risks identified in the local counter terrorism profile
  7. Support community cohesion activities aimed at building resilience, which will assist in preventing radicalisation and extremism

Vulnerable people, including children, young people and vulnerable adults, can be exploited by people who seek to involve them in terrorism or activity in support of terrorism.

Where people holding extremist views appear to be moving towards terrorism, they clearly become relevant to the multi-agency prevention boards. They're likely to have been identified as holding extreme yet legitimate ideas, but have been assessed as being at risk of moving from that position into one of criminality. It should be stressed that, at this stage, the person has not committed any offence.

Programmes are prioritised around areas and places of higher risk, defined as those where terrorist groups and their sympathisers have been most active. However, interventions can take place anywhere, regardless of whether that place has been designated as a priority area.