Agenda item

Presentation by Head of Community Safety

The Head of Community Safety gave a presentation (previously circulated) updating Members on Contest and Prevent.

Details were provided of the terrorist threat to the UK including the key factors considered when identifying threat level; there were five levels of threat; and that the current national threat level was substantial - an attack was likely.

The presentation outlined Contest, the UK’s strategy for countering terrorism; the Prevent strategy, in place to reduce the threat to the UK from terrorism by stopping people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism; the objectives of the Prevent strategy were outlined; and the actions involved in relation to Prevent, Pursue, Protect and Prepare.

Members noted in relation to Pursue, that since March 2020 there were 800 investigations being undertaken by counter terrorism; since March 2017 a total of 25 attacks had been thwarted; and that in 2009 there had been 200 arrests in relation to counter terrorism, with 46 of those convicted.

Details were provided of the local delivery plan; the County Durham and Darlington Contest Group, chaired by Durham Constabulary met on a six monthly basis; a Regional Prevent Forum had been introduced to discuss and share threats, risks and good practice; a Local Authority Community Resilience Officer had been appointed; and a survey was undertaken on the threat relating to crowded places, with a number of recommendations identified and shared with strategic groups.

The Channel process and future developments were outlined.

Members made reference to the term ‘right wing extremism’ and suggested the term ‘political extremism’ was used in its place. Members questioned the impact on resources from Dovetail and were advised that high risk areas had received additional funding. Whilst the North East was not a high risk area, requests had been made for additional funding and resources in light of an increase in political extremism.

RESOLVED – That the thanks of this Scrutiny Committee be extended to the Head of Community Safety for his informative and interesting presentation.