National Policing Lead for Counter Terrorism, Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley sets out counter-terrorism challenges and renews public appeal. AC Rowley talking about the current operational challenges, said:
"So far this year we have made 218 arrests and are running exceptionally high numbers of counter-terrorism investigations, the likes of which we have not seen for several years. Against an increasing operational tempo we are disrupting several attack plots a year. These plots are of varied sophistication, from individuals planning to carry out spontaneous yet deadly attacks to more complex conspiracies, almost all seemingly are either directed by or inspired by terrorism overseas. We have secured evidence and charged 16 returnees for terrorist activity in Syria.
"The volume, range and pace of counter-terrorism activity has undergone a step-change. Public safety is our number one priority and we will always focus our disruption activity against those posing the greatest and most imminent threat. Sometimes this means intervening very early - essential to prevent attacks, but presenting enormous challenges in securing sufficient evidence to charge.
"Protecting and safeguarding vulnerable people in the UK from being drawn into the threat emanating from the Syrian and other conflicts overseas continues to be a high priority area for CT policing.
"Together with our partners we are carrying out about 100 Syria related preventative activities each week, with over half being interventions such as referrals into de-radicalisation programmes which provides multi-agency support for vulnerable individuals; including housing, education, employment and mental health assessments."
Leading the fight online is the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit, a policing team that is currently assessing and, in partnership with the relevant internet hosting company, is removing over 1,000 pieces of illegal content from the internet each week. This includes videos of beheadings and other brutal murders, torture and suicides. Over 80% of the material removed is Iraq and Syria related. In the last four years the unit has ensured that 51,000 pieces of illegal and deeply damaging material has been removed.
AC Rowley continued: "The growing problem of young, impressionable, and in some cases vulnerable, individuals being radicalised on-line is an increasing risk. Extremist groups are using social media in highly sophisticated ways in order to recruit or persuade individuals towards their violent and warped ideologies.
"Dozens of families have contacted us concerned about loved ones or information when they believe someone is travelling abroad. It is only through courageous action like that that we can help and we have been supporting such families in every way we can.
"So far there have been 66 missing persons reported to police by family members concerned their relative may have travelled to Syria. We are continuing to appeal to all communities to contact police at the earliest stage."
***Anyone with information should contact police on the Anti-Terrorist Hotline 0800 789 321. All calls will be treated with the strictest confidence.