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Threat of 'dirty bomb' is increasing, warns Smith
Martin Bentham, Home Affairs Editor24 Mar 2009
THE risk of terrorists obtaining the material to mount a "dirty bomb" attack in Britain is rising, the Government claimed today.
In a report to Parliament on the current state of the terrorist threat, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith claimed an increasing amount of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear material has become available around the world and that it could fall into the hands of extremists living in Britain.
It says that some of these substances are being sold via the internet and warns that the growing supply, coupled with an existing "demand" among militants, means that new measures are needed to protect the public.
Today's report says that British extremists have sought "dirty bomb" material and suggests that they are more likely to succeed because substances are being trafficked more than ever around the world.
It also reveals increasing concern in Whitehall that sports stadiums, shopping centres, night clubs and cinemas could all be targeted in a "crowded places" attack.
There is also a claim that a potentially growing threat is posed by "self-starting" terror groups only loosely linked to al Qaeda.
The 160-page report, called Contest Two, updates a counter terrorist strategy first published in 2003. Other sections describe the current causes of radicalisation in Britain, such as the Palestinian conflict and a lack of integration among some Muslims, as well as the 20-year-old roots of Islamic extremism in this country.
It says a number of factors are driving radicalisation, including discrimination, social and political grievances, recent migration and a lack of integration into local communities.
It also sets out the principles that ministers and officials will follow in seeking to tackle such alienation and says that among them will be the promotion of "shared values" and respect for the human rights of all members of British society.
The document also sets out practical measures it says would minimise the chances or impact of a terror attack. They include training thousands of civilians how to spot and cope with potential terrorist attacks and improving designs of buildings.
It says crowded public spaces, rather than key infrastructure sites such as power stations, should now be the priority for improved security.
But it warns that measures such as new physical barriers must be balanced with the need to avoid inconveniencing the public and undermining people's ability to live their lives normally.
The report concludes that although al Qaeda's leadership appears to be weakened, there is likely to be a greater risk from "self-starting" groups, and says Osama bin Laden's terrorist network will be outlived by its jihadi ideology.
Reader views (12)
This must mean - can only mean - that our "security services" are planning an atrocity against us, in order to justify, and explain away, the next round of "anti-terror" legislation and the removal of the next block of our dwindling freedoms. Wake up people - we are being targeted by our own government.
- Neil M., london uk,, 25/03/2009 09:39
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This is all the fault of the political correct Labour government and they reap what they sow !
- Joe, Swanley Kent, 24/03/2009 16:45
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So there are 20 trained terrorists in the UK? Firstly it's possible for the Govt to know this seeing as they don't even know how many illegal aliens there are here.
Secondly, 20 trained terrorists or 400 Labour MPs - who is the biggest danger to the UK way of life as we knew it? Yeah that's what I said too..............
- Chris Williams, Cardiff, 24/03/2009 16:43
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I'm sure that this "threat" will continue to increase until Jackboot Smiff thinks that she has convinced us all that we must give up all of our ancient freedoms (well, those we haven't lost already) and submit to total control of our lives by Soviet Labour and their friends in the Socialist Empire across the channel.
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster, 24/03/2009 16:43
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I hope she was wearing her flack jacket!
- Steveo, London NW1, 24/03/2009 16:27
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And don't we feel protected by our Government, they negotiate the release of non-British terrorists, bring them back to the UK and then let them sue the Government for their imprisonment, all due to the Human Rights Act which this load of vile, misfits called our Government couldn't wait to sign up to. The human rights Act only protects terrorists, criminals, illegal Immigrants/Refugees, who in turn cost the taxpayer of the UK a fortune. We should extricate the UK from the Human rights Act, and stop all legal-aid funding for foreigners.
- Ros, London UK, 24/03/2009 14:03
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A dirty bomb or 12 years of NuLabour - which do you think is the more lethal to our nation?
- Chris Williams, Cardiff, 24/03/2009 13:18
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Change the headlines from your inept sleazy government back to terrorism. Bring out the tanks.
- Grim Reaper, Hell, 24/03/2009 13:13
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Wouldn't you know it, the goverment is talking up extremism, when the country should be focused on healing the wounds of the banking crisis. It's a key ploy by Mr brown, the "iron chancelor" laught!! , I mean, Prime minister. It's all a big ploy to divert the publics attention away from what matters, to something, that is less relivant & only gives the true tyrants, extremists & terrrorists, a platform to shout there hate filled words. All sections of society have these types of people, But in Other sections of society, they are quietly derided. If the goverment, didn't have extremism, It would be something else that doesn't matter, as much as they would make you believe.
I'm not belittling a threat to our country, Just, putting it into perspective & giving you reasons , why the goverment are shouting it from the rooftops.
Now, everyone repeat after me, TERRORISM, TERRORISM & TERRORISM.
- Darren Moran, alloa scotland, 24/03/2009 12:44
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The people planning these deeds need to be taken out of circulation one way or another.
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke, Hants, 24/03/2009 12:13
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Thats all well and good, but shouldn't all of this already be implemented? Shouldn't our government have safety nets and policies and strategies already laid down, tried, tested and adhered to?
Or do I expect too much from this government?
Call me cynical but these strategies and reports just stink of a bureaucratic waste of time and money.
- Rob, Norfolk, 24/03/2009 11:07
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'new measures are needed to protect the public'.
That will be the last nail in the coffin of our freedom then. Goodbye jackboot Jacqui, goodbye Labour, if the English people had our way then you would all be banished never to return to these shores.
- Jimbob, Kensington, 24/03/2009 10:44
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