'No Complacency' Over UK Terror Threat

The Police Commissioner has warned today that the threat of terrorism in the UK is at its most dangerous level for three years.

Speaking to an audience at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) on 'Building National Resilience' Sir Paul Stephenson said that whilst several significant threats to UK security had been disrupted since 9/11, the threat from terrorism is a persistent and constantly changing landscape that the police, security services and public must work together to address.

In his statement, he said that public vigilance and awareness are the best way to protect the UK and UK interests abroad from the threat of terrorism which is at its most dangerous levels since the attempted attacks on the Tiger-Tiger nightclub in 2007.

He urged the public to continue to act as 'eyes and ears' within communities, and report any suspicious behaviour to the police and security services, emphasising how this could save lives.

The commissioner warned: "There can be no complacency."

He explained how previous chief police officers had "strayed inadvertently and perhaps unintentionally" into the debate around counter-terrorism powers but added he would leave that task to politicians.

While advising, he said police should "inform the debate" about control orders, use of stop-and-search powers, pre-charge detention and DNA retention but suggested it was not his role to interfere in the decision-making process.

He concluded by saying: "I respect those that have to make these difficult decisions and I am clear about one thing - this is difficult territory.

"These are fine judgements and there are no black and white answers, no absolutes - only shades of grey."

(BMcN/GK)