'Terror websites' to be targeted by new unit (From Asian Image)

'Terror websites' to be targeted by new unit

7:50pm Monday 1st February 2010

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

Terrorist websites spreading messages of hate and dangerous know-how will be targeted by a national police unit launched.

Government officials and senior police officers hope the small team will better co-ordinate work to silence online extremists.

They want to replicate the success of police in hunting down paedophiles who use the internet to exchange sick images and information.

The Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit (CTIRU) will handle tip-offs from members of the public about suspect sites.

Investigators will work with internet service providers to remove illegal content or alert authorities overseas.

The move came after it emerged the Government has never used powers granted under the Terrorism Act 2006 to close down a website.

Speaking in the House of Lords last November, security minister Lord West said police forces prefer to use informal channels to shut sites.

He said the Government is “trading blows toe-to-toe” with internet radicals and hoped to one day “jolly well knock them for six”.

Lord West said police forces prefer to use “informal contact” with companies who host potentially illegal material to get rid of it.

But a spokeswoman for the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) said there are no records of any of this work.

The CTIRU, comprising five detectives and civilian employees seconded from forces across England and Wales, began work today.

They will remove sites containing information about weapons and targets that could help terrorists strike, as well as those promoting extremist groups.

The Home Office unveiled a new online reporting page on the DirectGov website to mark the launch.

It advises users how to protect themselves from offensive material by alerting website administrators or hosting companies.

Assistant Chief Constable John Wright, the national lead on the Government’s strategy, said violent extremists use the internet to influence and train.

He said: “Communities have a vital role to play in helping to tackle terrorist and violent extremist use of the internet - and we would encourage the public to refer material to the police through this new online reporting web page.

”This new unit will investigate referrals from the public, proactively seek out illegal material on websites and work closely with industry to make it harder for terrorists to exploit the internet.”

Lord West added: “We want to protect people who may be vulnerable to violent extremist content and will seek to remove any unlawful material.

”This is also about empowering individuals to tell them how they can make a civic challenge against material that they find offensive, even if it is not illegal.

”The internet is not a lawless forum and should reflect the legal and accepted boundaries of society.”

:: The DirectGov reporting page can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/ykrs8k9.

By Chris Greenwood

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)