Changes to airport security rules

The government has announced changes to airport security rules signalling an eventual end to the 100ml rule on liquids at large airports.

The rules are set to change by 2024, with the installation of new technology at major airports across the UK.

New systems will be installed in most major airports over the next two years.

In a statement, the Department for Transport said: “Not only will it mean greater convenience for travellers – as people will no longer need to spend time taking items out of their bags – but it will also enhance passenger safety, as security staff will have more detailed images of what people are carrying.”

Current rules mean that passengers must remove laptops, tablets and liquids from the cabin baggage. Liquids are limited to 100ml and must be in a clear plastic bag. The government intends to eventually lift this requirement, with the liquid limit to be raised to two litres.

Transport secretary Mark Harper said: “The tiny toiletry has become a staple of airport security checkpoints, but that’s all set to change. I’m streamlining cabin bag rules at airports while enhancing security.

“By 2024, major airports across the UK will have the latest security tech installed, reducing queuing times, improving the passenger experience, and most importantly detecting potential threats.

“Of course, this won’t happen straight away – this is going to take 2 years to be fully implemented. Until then, passengers must continue following the existing rules and check before travelling.”

Christopher Snelling, policy director at The Airport Operators Association (AOA), said: “This investment in nextgeneration security by the UK’s airport operators will provide a great step forward for UK air travel, matching the best in class around the world.

“It will make the journey through the UK’s airports easier and air travel itself more pleasant.”

Far right referrals outnumber Islamic extremism for second year running

Recently released figures reveal that a fifth of Prevent Counter Terror Programme referrals (1300) to the year March 2022 are flagged for extreme right-wing ideology. This compares with just over 1,000 people flagged over Islamist extremism concerns. This marks the second year in a row that far-right related referrals outnumber those relating to Islamist extremism. Individuals flagged over extreme rightwing concerns also made up the highest number of referrals to the Government’s Channel programme, which escalates cases if individuals are deemed to be at a significant risk of radicalisation. Those displaying signs of extreme rightwing ideology made up 42 per cent of the 802 cases referred to the Channel programme — more than double those flagged for Islamist extremism. Despite being completed in May last year, the Government’s Independent review of Prevent, conducted by Sir William Shawcross, has still not been released. However, leaks have revealed that in the review, Shawcross recommends an increased focus on Islamic extremism, seemingly ignoring hard evidence which demonstrated a rapid increase in right wing extremism.

Legislation

Government legislation targets bomb-making materials

of suspicious activity, adding new substances, providing additional obligations on online marketplaces, and requiring that certain information is recorded when selling regulated explosives precursors to business users. The changes will come into effect on 1 October.

The Home Office said: “Following the Manchester Arena attack in 2017, the government committed to enhancing its capabilities to detect terrorist activity including that which involves the use of bomb making materials.”

The UK Government has laid secondary legislation intended to tighten controls on poisons and chemicals which can be used to make explosives.

The changes are part of updates to the Poisons Act 1972.

The new measures include improving requirements for reporting

Counter Terrorism

New chemicals are set to be added to the lists of reportable and regulated substances, which is intended to prevent access to materials of the highest concern for illicit purposes, but also maintain access for legitimate purposes.

Security minister Tom Tugendhat said: “Around the UK, businesses and individuals use various chemicals for a wide range of legitimate uses. However, we must also minimise the risk posed by the illicit use of bomb making materials and poisons.

“It is our responsibility to ensure our robust controls of these substances are updated and controls in place against those who wish to abuse them. These steps will do just that.”

Head of Counter-Terrorism Policing Matt Jukes added: “Every year, reports from the public, including industry and businesses, play a vital role in how we tackle the terrorist threat in the UK.

“These new measures will serve to enhance how we received information and intelligence from our communities and also enable us to take targeted and robust enforcement action to keep people safe.”

UK Government publishes counter-terrorism disruptive powers report

The UK Home Office has published its counter-terrorism disruptive powers report 2021.

The annual report provides information and statistical data on the use of disruptive powers and tools used by the government, law enforcement and the security and intelligence agencies to combat terrorism and serious organised crime.

The 44-page report begins with a foreword by Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, who says: The terrorism threat to the UK is ever-present and ever-changing. Our law enforcement and intelligence agencies will have all the resources they need to keep the British people safe. Our world-leading counter-terrorism disruptions system has been made even stronger by this government.”

She mentions the Online Safety Bill which she claims will require companies to better protect people online by removing illegal content.

Braverman talks about the CounterTerrorism and Sentencing Act 2021, which introduced new and longer sentences and imposed stricter monitoring of terrorist offenders on their release.

She also mentions the National Security Bill, which she says “will establish a modern framework for tackling the contemporary state threats we face.”

Braverman said: “Of course, much of the work done by our brave law enforcement, intelligence and security services must take place in the shadows, but we will be as transparent as we responsibly can. British taxpayers need to know that their money is being well spent and that outstanding professionals are working around the clock with great courage and skill to keep them safe.”

The introduction to the report says: “Terrorism remains one of the most direct and immediate risks to our national security. The terrorist threat to the UK primarily emanates from self-initiated terrorists who are unpredictable and difficult to detect, and are inspired to act by terrorist ideology rather than directed or supported by terrorist groups.

“Islamist terrorist groups overseas, such as ISIL (Daesh) and Al-Qa’ida (AQ), continue to play an important role in driving the terrorist threat in the UK; however, at present this role is primarily limited to attempts to inspire would-be attackers. We also face emerging extreme right-wing and single-issue terrorist threats.”

The report contains figures on the use of counter-terrorism disruptive powers in 2021 and explains their utility and outlines the legal frameworks that ensure they can only be used when necessary and proportionate, in accordance with the statutory functions of the relevant public authorities. The report also includes information on the use of Serious Crime Prevention Orders (SCPO), specifically in relation to terrorism.

The report reveals that in the year ending 31 December 2021, 186 people were arrested for terrorismrelated activity, a decrease of 1 per cent from the 188 arrests in 2020. 57 (31 per cent) of the arrests resulted in a charge, and of those charged, 49 were considered to be terrorism-related. Many of the cases are ongoing, so these numbers can be expected to rise.

As of 31 December 2021, there were 229 people in custody in Great Britain for terrorism-related offences. This includes 154 people (67 per cent) who held Islamist extremist views, 52 (23 per cent) who held extreme right-wing ideologies, and 23 (10 per cent) who held other ideologies.