New body to combat terrorism

A special group looking to stamp out terrorism and organised crime in Renfrewshire has been formed by divisional police chiefs.

The move came after the Home Office updated its counter-terrorism strategy, known as Contest.

The new structure will be called the Contest and Serious Organised Crime Multi Agency Group.

Experts made the call in response to significant academic and operational evidence, which suggests terrorism and serious organised crime are linked.

This can be in the form of the individuals these crooks prey on, while there is also evidence which shows serious organised crime groups are involved in fundraising for those with terrorist sympathies.

The group, which will confront the issues that make people vulnerable to falling into this kind of crime, met for the first time recently.

It will look to improve available information, so there is a greater understanding on the threat posed.

There will be a focus on early intervention to safeguard and support those at highest risk of being radicalised.

Work will be carried out in communities to identify those vulnerable to becoming involved in organised crime or terrorism, with appropriate interventions set to be developed in response.

The group has also promised to take “robust action” to make sure there is no safe place for these kind of groups online.

It has also said it will identify and target groups or individuals “seeking to groom or incite individuals in our communities to commit or support serious organised crime or terrorism”.

An emphasis on working together in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde has been made, with plans to improve security at crowded places and provide support to those already engaged in terrorism to “disengage and rehabilitate”.

Collaboration wi t h industry partners will also take place as officers strive to improve security at venues and gain faster alerts on suspicious purchases from shops.

The support of council services will also be enlisted, as the group looks to take coordinated action in its mission.

This could involve the support of local authority boards.