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Britain | ||||
Police may let Muslims see terrorism intelligence | ||||
2006-06-17 | ||||
The proposal will be considered as part of a review of the raid in Forest Gate, east London, a fortnight ago when 250 officers stormed a family house searching for a chemical weapon which was not found. One man was shot and police have apologised for the "hurt" caused by the raid which has further damaged strained relations with the local community. The review began this week and is expected to be completed before the end of the month. While such a review after a controversial incident is standard, this one is unique because British Muslims are involved from the start. A senior police source with knowledge of the issues involved said: "We are working on sharing more information with the community before, during and after events so they understand as much of the context as we can provide."
Any British Muslims shown intelligence would be security vetted but would not have a veto on the raid.
Privately senior officers have said more raids will occur because of the threat of terrorism. But they face several dilemmas. Intelligence they have is sketchy and cannot be hardened up in the way it can in other serious crime. But every episode in which errors appear to be made, cost the police in lost confidence. Senior officers say they need the trust of British Muslims to gain an increased flow of information. In another sign of the impact of the Forest Gate raid, the head of Labour's ethnic minority taskforce will today warn that the anti-terrorism battle will not work while Muslims feel picked on. Keith Vaz MP will tell a Labour meeting on diversity: "[Defeating terrorism] ... will not be achieved while anyone perceives they remain suspects simply because of their colour or creed." Yesterday police received another reminder about how long the damage from a botched anti-terrorist operation can last. The family of Jean Charles de Menezes, the Brazilian man shot dead last July after being mistaken for a terrorist, condemned delays which could see a report on the death not appearing until the autumn. | ||||
Posted by:Steve White |
#3 This is the guardians touchy feely rubbish, never happen. They gave an OBE to the guy responsible for planning the raid Plus the voting population of the uk is moving to the right, the next general election will see gains by the far right parties such as the BNP and therefor mainstream parties will be more intollerant of muslims sensibilities. |
Posted by: pihkalbadger 2006-06-17 18:27 |
#2 they should be treated like any other "Brit" even if they don't consider themselves British. |
Posted by: PlanetDan 2006-06-17 18:13 |
#1 While the Brit bureaucrats dwell in mega-minutae, the Muzzies steadily break down the government so it will be totally impotent. Unless something happens soon and the Brit govt grows a pair, Britain is lost. Winston Churchill must be up to 1000 rpm in his grave. What is happening to a once great nation is tragic. |
Posted by: Alaska Paul at Bethel, AK 2006-06-17 16:24 |