Terror suspects ‘shouldn’t be moved from their homes’

THE terror watchdog has questioned whether extremists who are being monitored by the Government should be moved away from their homes and closely monitored, in a report released yesterday.

Max Hill QC said ministers should look again at whether terror suspects should be forced to move hundreds of miles from where they live and questioned whether it should always be assumed that they will try to escape.

The independent watchdog, who has now left the role, said the terrorism prevention and investigation measures (TPIM) regime, under which six suspects are being held, should be reviewed, adding: “I recommend a review of the necessity to relocate in every TPIM case henceforward.”

Mr Hill said experts have expressed concern that moving subjects could cause “trauma” to their families and questioned whether it was necessary given the range of other restrictions placed on those under the orders.

TPIMS are designed to keep track of terror suspects and can include financial restrictions, curfews and relocation. All six of those under TPIMS have been moved away from their homes.

Mr Hill also questioned whether new laws could solve the problem of online terror content. “Once this material goes underground, it is harder for law enforcement to detect and much harder for good people to argue against it.”

Sajid Javid, the Home Secretary, said the Government would consider Mr Hill’s recommendations carefully.