Action is needed, not tired old rhetoric
As more detail emerges about the vile terrorist attacks of the past few weeks, our first priority must be to back the police and security services.
But there will be hard questions about what Britain must do to tackle terrorism now – including for Theresa May, who has been in charge of counter-terror policy for many years.
While she is right to start an inquiry, it can’t just look at the police and the security service. It also has to question the Home Office, too.
Our police and security services are second to none. To get to London Bridge and stop the killers within eight minutes saved many lives. They have foiled other attacks, including in recent months.
But Cressida Dick, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, says resources should be looked at, and she is right. This should be a central part of the inquiry. Under the Tories, 20,000 police officers have been cut. That’s why it is so shocking Mrs May won’t rule out further cuts or accept more police are needed.
Labour has pledged another 10,000 police – paid for by cancelling Tory cuts to capital gains tax for rich investors.
But we also need to make sure the police and security services have the powers and policies they need.
As Home Secretary, Theresa May chose to end Labour’s control orders and replace them with weaker measures. This was a mistake – one she should not be allowed to repeat.
MI5 has said it will carry out a full inquiry into whether any intelligence was missed. The police will do the same.
But there are also questions for the Home Office. Why are they planning to cut the central budget? Does the border force get to stop suspects travelling to or from Libya? When neighbours or friends report suspects to the anti-terror hotline, is there enough monitoring? Are enough cases referred to community scheme Prevent, or the local police?
When three terror attacks happen in three months, much more needs to be done. All we are getting from the Prime Minister is the same old rhetoric.
Instead we need new action.