Terror cops: Beware of Greenpeace ‘extremists’
ANTI-Terror police have likened Greenpeace and animal rights charity Peta to neo- Nazis and other extremist groups, it was claimed last night.
The campaigning groups have been named in a guide which is given to teachers and doctors as part of the Prevent anti-radicalisation scheme.
It is designed to identify people suspected of being at risk of committing violent acts. The Counter Terrorism Policing document reportedly also names vegans, Stop the Badger Cull and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.
By law, workers who look after patients or children must report suspected terrorists. Greenpeace supporters include celebrities Dame Judi Dench, Stephen Fry and Joanna Lumley. The astonishing comparisons made by police have been revealed days after it emerged that blundering counter-terrorism officers listed environmental campaigners extinction rebellion as a group whose members should be reported. People identified as risks by Prevent are monitored and counselled. Their names may be kept on lists of potential extremists.
Last night The Guardian revealed that Counter Terrorism Policing was using a document across england to advise teachers and medical staff to watch out for pressure groups generally perceived to be harmless. Alongside lists of right-wing fanatics such as Combat 18, Soldiers of odin and North east Infidels, the workers are shown the symbols of animal rights and environmental groups. They include the vegan flag and the badger-headed logo of the Stop the Badger Cull group – which has Queen guitarist Brian May as a supporter. Groups named include Peta (People for the ethical Treatment of Animals) and CND.
At the end of the 24-page booklet, produced in June last year, teachers and hospital staff are told to report ‘any concerns identified via this document’. They are then taken to a page called ‘Action Counters Terrorism’. Although some groups could be infiltrated by extremists seeking new recruits, the inclusion of logos belonging to moderate organisations in an official anti-terror booklet will spark concern.
It is even claimed schoolchildren could be investigated by police simply for having a badger’s head on their exercise book.
Police insist the guide is aimed at boosting understanding of signs and symbols workers may come across. They warn that ‘ not all of the signs and symbols noted within this document are of counter terrorism interest’.
John Sauven, of Greenpeace UK, said last night: ‘ Tarring environmental campaigners and terrorist organisations with the same brush is not going to help fight terrorism.
‘How can we possibly teach children about the devastation caused by the climate emergency while at the same implying that those trying to stop it are extremists?’.
Peta director elisa Allen, said: ‘ This appears to be a sinister attempt to quash legitimate campaigning organisations – something that is as dangerous as it is undemocratic.’ A police spokesman said the guide did not say all the groups featured were extremist and claimed it was ‘unhelpful and misleading’ to say the booklet smeared non-violent groups.
‘Tarring us with the same brush’