Residents urged to report terrorist material

Residents in Essex are urged to make use of a new unit set up by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) to report terrorist material on the web.

A website www.direct.gov.uk/reportingonlineterrorism was launched by ACPO In March 2011 to remove unlawful terrorist material from the web.

The internet can be used to promote terrorism and violent extremism and corrupt those individuals who are vulnerable to radicalisation.

Recent cases such of that of Isa Ibrahim and Nicky Reilly who were convicted of terrorist offences after being radicalised on the internet shows the influence it can have on people.

The ACPO Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit (CTIRU) was set up a year ago to make the internet a more hostile place for terrorists.

The CTIRU aims to remove unlawful terrorist material content from the internet with a focus on UK based material. It also works with international partners to remove material hosted abroad.

The unit provides the police service with a pool of experts who carry out initial assessments of terrorist and violent extremist material on the internet.

It is also responsible for alerting forces, Counter Terrorism Units/Counter Terrorism Intelligence Units and the Metropolitan Police Service Counter Terrorism Command to online terrorist offences that may fall within their jurisdiction.

The CTIRU also has a national responsibility for serving any Section 3 Terrorism Act notices within the UK and focuses on developing and maintaining relationships with the internet industry and also forging links with key international partners.

DCI Paul Maghie of the CTIU East said: “Whilst the internet makes a positive contribution to most people’s lives on a daily basis it can and is used by criminals and terrorists.

“Policing within the environment of the internet is a relatively new area but we are aiming to make it a more hostile for people who use it for criminal purposes.

“The CTIRU is focused on material that is used for terrorist purposes or to promote extremist messages that radicalise vulnerable people.”

There is an anonymous referral system for members of the public at www.direct.gov.uk/reportingonlineterrorism

“In addition you can contact the CTIRU directly for advice and
information regarding terrorism content on the internet.”

The CTIRU can be contacted at CTIRU@acpo.pnn.police.uk

 

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