BRITS ABROAD GET MORE TERROR COPS
SCOTLAND Yard is planning to double the number of counter-terrorism officers it stations overseas in an attempt to protect millions of Britons abroad from a wave of new Islamic State attacks. Senior officers believe that a network of “boutique” counter-terrorism units staffed by British police is needed across North Africa to assist domestic security forces in combating the IS threat.
As Londoners mark the 10th anniversary of the 7/7 terror attacks today, the Standard can reveal that police also want to establish, or reinforce, similar units in other countries vulnerable to extremist activity. The move — which could lead to 60 Scotland Yard counter-terrorism officers being posted on permanent international duties — is intended to take Britain’s battle against violent extremism “upstream”.
It comes in response to a new recognition that Britons could now be more vulnerable abroad than at home. One key fear is that IS supporters could mount new attacks on British tourists following the murder of 30 Britons in the Tunisian beach town of Sousse.
Resorts in Egypt, such as Sharm el-Sheikh, and popular destinations in Turkey are close to centres of IS activity and potentially vulnerable. The
safet y of Britons who live or work abroad is a further concern.
A senior police source said IS extremists had played a key role in inspiring the Sousse attack and that further murderous plots commissioned from Syria were likely. He added: “Tunisia is a game-changer. It was an organised attack — definitely not a lone wolf — and there could be more.
“So we need to do more to protect Britons abroad. We think we can do that. We’d like to have boutique counter-terrorism units across the region to work with local security forces. It will cost some money, but we think we are pushing at an open door. Everyone recognises the challenge.”
The Met already has about 30 counter-terrorism officers operating overseas in countries ranging from Turkey to Afghanistan and Somalia.
Scotland Yard believes that its officers’ expertise in tackling terrorism could be critical in helping foreign security forces combat the IS threat.
Better forensic evidence gathering, improved interview techniques and an enhanced ability to harvest data from social media, phones, computers and other devices are among the skills that Met officers could provide.
Another potential aim will be to improve cooperation between intelligence, police and other security agencies in the re le v a n t co u n t r i e s by advising on how Scotland Yard, MI5, MI6 and GCHQ collaborate to counter the terror threat in Britain.
The source added: “We have had one terrorist death in Britain since 2005 — Lee Rigby — but 30 in Tunisia and two in Kabul recently. We need to look at where the risk is.” Some 20 Met officers from the Met’s SO15 counter-terrorism unit have flown to Tunisia on a temporary deployment to help local lawenforcement authorities following the attack in Sousse.
Scotland Yard hopes that the ability of overseas security forces to carry out such tasks will, in future, be permanently enhanced by the permanent posting of its officers to share skills.
The attack in Sousse, in which 38 people were killed by gunman Seifeddine Rezgui, follows increased evidence of radicalisation in Tunisia inspired by IS. Neighbouring Libya, where Rezgui prepared for his attack, is in disarray with IS and other extremists controlling significant parts of the country.
There is further concern among Western security officials that other countries in the region are also vulnerable to IS influence and increasing radicalisation. Other countries of concern include Somalia, Nigeria and Yemen.
The new Scotland Yard plan to boost its overseas counter-terrorism deployment will depend on securing extra funding. The current cost of stationing Met counter-terrorism officers overseas is up to £8 million a year.
Doubling the numbers abroad would require a similar additional sum. Extra officers in Britain will also be needed to support the teams overseas.
Some cash could come from the existing counter-terrorism budget, under which about £130 million a year is spent on protecting the public here.
But Scotland Yard is expected to seek additional funding from the government in recognition of the increased terrorist threat.