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Blackstones police manual defines "extremism"

Netcu Watch | 04.02.2010 14:20 | Animal Liberation | Anti-militarism | Repression

Well.....Blackstones police handbook 2009 and Blackstone's 2009 Counter-Terrorism handbook both Oxford University Press, make interesting reading. It appears that we are all far too extreme for our own good. Read page 131-137 for laughs or groans of frustration.

It begins by stating that protest activity is aimed at, "a broad range of "causes" ", note the quotation marks, those who THEY define as "extreme" do not have valid concerns and consist of the following "key domestic extremist groups";

Anarchism, ALL who call themselves anarchists
Animal rights activists, anyone who believes that non human animals are not ours to abuse (there's a suprise!)
Anti Capitalism, again all who are opposed to capitalism
Anti Globalisation, ditto
Anti War activists, just "anti war" (nasty) not "peace" (nice) activists.
Environmentalists, just the extreme ones mind not the "good" ones like Bill Oddy
Fascists, the who lot of 'em.

This intimates that certain political activity is unlawful. If ALL anarchists are extremists for example does this not imply that even if only engaging in lawful activity that a person with that viewpoint is a "bit dodgy" and is worthy of police suppression? Very worrying as this crap is dessiminated to people thick enough to swallow it without question and the power to harass and assault those identified as "extremists". The fact that this is 5 pages in a very general police handbook shows how the state is prioritising the criminalisation of dissent.

Onwards...

Tactics...so what do these naughty "extremists" do then and how can the horror be stopped?
Shockingly local groups protest outside "primary and sometimes secondary sites"
Sometimes "Regional and national days of action" are held outside the poor helpless multinationals with the air of menace enhanced by the fact that some activists might not be local to the area in which they are protesting (helpfully there is a table telling us all about what "primary" and "secondary" targets are).

Extremists also do "mass" demonstrations, spontaneous demonstrations (it is "extreme" not to plan a demo with the police), home demos, bomb threats, bombs, hoax bombs, office occupations, malicious mail, harassment, intimidation, unsolicited goods, assault, phoning the company, black faxes, emailing and working undercover.

Interestingly protest activity most people would recognise as rather benign and utterly justified for example writing a letter to a company who makes cash out of blowing up children is mixed up with incendairy devices to confuse the issue of what constitutes "extremism", implying that someone who writes the letter will then go on to blow the place up which is a bit unlikely.

Have no fear though the "extremists" are apparently being brought to heel (they wish) by the brave forces of:
"NETCU National Extremism Tactical Coordination Unit, acts as a central support service for bussiness and the academic sector targeted by domestic extremists. NETCU assesses risk and provides one-to-one tactical guidance, security advice, and support on dealing with domestic extremist campaigns". (we would like to know if this includes Asian shop keepers terrorised by Nazi filth but we doubt it). NETCU do silly exagerated press releases also.

"NDET National Domestic Extremism Team integrates with other units and organisations to help develop, prioritise and coordinate investigations concerning individuals and extremist groups". (these are the idiots who turn up on raids and try to look all important treating a bit of for example spray painting like they would a murder).

"NPIOU National Public Order Intelligence Unit liases with special branch teams and Counter Terrorism Units within the police service to maintain a strategic overview of domestic extremism related public order issues".

A useful diagram follows this, these police officers are spreading their wings and looking for victims of their oppression, beware, this has gone beyond the animal rights movement and could apply to any activist.

All in all hardly suprising, might be of interest to quite a few on Indymedia and an indication if any were needed that ANY protest activity which is both effective and contrary to the power structure in the UK will be dismissed as extreme. After all did not some pro hunt people threaten to poison the water supply as well as hospitalise those who disagree with them, kill 2 young lads, nail animals to peoples doors, blockade the M25 etc? Maybe the police are scared of them, in this book only anti hunting activity is described as "extreme". We get the impression that facists were just added as an afterthought.

Netcu Watch
- Homepage: http://netcu.wordpress.com

Comments

Hide the following 11 comments

Does it actually say that "those who believe that animals are not ours to abuse"

04.02.2010 15:30

Wow...way to go cops!

NETCU / MI5 seem to be there to protect big business now rather than National Security. Bit frightening. Big bungs and deep dark pockets ; (

anon


Cop handbooks have also said....:

04.02.2010 15:33

You don't need to know the law, this doesn't matter.

Anyone who has seen the Bill or other cop movies like Police Academy will know that becoming a police officer is like this.





anon


@ anon

04.02.2010 16:24

Nah.. it does't say that (sorry poetic licence) but something along the lines of anyone who believes that humans are not any more important than other animals, a political and philosophical viewpoint is thus translated as a symptom of "extremism", not good! In fact it is more than likely that many have reached this conclusion intellectually, after all once the Abrahamic religions are disregarded by a person in their literal sense and evolution accepted as fact what exactly is left to prove in any way shape or form that humans are more "important" as a species? Logically bees are far more important for example, without them pollinating everything we are all screwed, take away humans and few other species would be worse off, many would be better off. The police by defining anyone who has a viewpoint that humans are not more important than other animals are attacking intellectual freedom including philosophy and science. They have defined various viewpoints as "extreme" and with that attacked the right for people to have those views and not be regarded as criminal, very dangerous stuff indeed! How long before certain views have to be kept secret to enable an individual to function in society? Will being an anarchist result being branded an "extremist" and therefore "dangerous" and therefore unable to for example work with children or vulnerable adults?

Netcu watch


ahh but...

04.02.2010 16:31

when the doors are open who has the right to dance with the fish

Lynn Sawyer


exact wording please

04.02.2010 18:22

Any chance you can post the exact wording of the relevant sections?

interested


Re exact wording

04.02.2010 20:11

It is quite long but will try and scan it soon

Netcu Watch


They are against people who are

05.02.2010 00:11



‘Anti Capitalism, again all who are opposed to capitalism
@Anti Globalisation, ditto
Anti War activists, just "anti war" (nasty) not "peace" (nice) activists. ‘

So the police see their job as defending Capitalism, Globalisation and War!


It is also worth remembering that the NPOIU are the custodians of a database on all ‘suspected’ activists. You can write to them requesting any info on yourself under the Data Protection Act. It’s a laugh what they decide to blank out on the copies they send you.

See also

 http://browse.guardian.co.uk/search?search=Ministry+of+Justice+lists+eco-activists+alongside+terrorists&sitesearch-radio=guardian&go-guardian=Search

ACOP ECUNT


The exact wording.

05.02.2010 19:44

Tackling Domestic Extremism
In the recent years the UK has seen increaseing protest activity directed at a broad range of 'causes'. It is important for the police service to manage these potential threats: whilst they may not reach the threshold of terrorist activity or seriously threaten issues of national security, they can cause harm to communities and the economic wellbeing of the UK.
It is important to keep the threat from 'domestic extremists' in perspective. The majority of protests in the UK are peaceful, lawful and undertaken in pursuance of the right of assembly and freedom of speech that we all enjoy as part of living in a democratic society. There is however a more complex side to extremists who wish to further their cause through criminal acts, being involved in incidents of public disorder and using violence and intimidation. It is these individuals who are of concern to the police service. It must be recognized that some extremists, under some circumstances, will adopt a 'soft' style of protest, behaving in a perfectly law abiding manner being part of legitimate and peaceful protest. Their attendance at such events may however have different motives as they progress to a more extreme agenda.

Categorization
There is a broad range of individual causes that individuals can be engaged in. These include anti-globalization, animal experimentation, medical research, the pharmaceutical industry, the food industry, hunting, sports involving animals, the financial industry, environmental issues, and many more that have been the subject of attention and protest. Protests have also been directed at commercial premises, city centers as well as employees away from there place of work in addition to suppliers of those targeted companies, shareholders and financial institutions providing funding. The key domestic extremist groups are categorized in the table below.

Anarchism- Anarchism is the political belief that society should have no government, laws, police, or other authority, but should be a free association of all its members. Anarchism rests on the doctrine that no man has a right to control by force the action of any other man.
Animal Rights- Animal Rights which is also referred to as animal liberation, is an ideology based on the very basic interests of animals. There are a wide variety of individual belief structures within this movement but principle persons who support this cause belive that animals should be afforded the same consideration as humans in that they should not suffer harm, they should not be considered property or used as food, clothing, or the subject of experimentation, or entertainment. a widely accepted view among animal rights activists is that all animals should be regarded as legal persons and members of the moral community.
Anti-Capitalism- Capitalism is the term used to describe the economic system which promotes privet ownership for profit operating within a free market. Those that oppose this system of economic are described and Anti-Capitalists who seek a fair central economic system based on the principles of safeguarding individual employees rights.
Anti-Globalization-Globalization is the term used to describe the process of transformation local or regional issues that rise in to global phenomena. Anti-Globalization is the term used to describe those individuals with a political stance that opposes what is often an economic issue concerning power, influence and impact of large multi-national corporations and the spread of migration technology and investment.
Anti-War-Anti-War protesters should be distinguished from peace movements. Anti-War
activists are engaged in more protest activities aiming to put an end to a nations decision to begin or continue an armed conflict. There are a variety of belief strand within this category of domestic extremism as some Anti-War protesters may belive that both sides of the conflict should discontinue their activities while others may only support the withdrawal of one side of the conflict which is often the moor powerful body widely seen as the aggressor of invader.
Environmentalism- The protection of our planet has become a social movement centred upon the primary concern for the conservation and improvement of the natural environment. An extreme environmentalist is a person who would advocate unlawful activity to sustain the management of resources and stewardship of the natural environment through changes in policy or individual or group direct action.
Fascism- Fascism is a political ideology that seeks to regenerate the social, economic and cultural life of a country by basing it on a heightened sense of national belonging or ethnic identity. Fascist reject liberal ideas such as freedom and individual human rights and democracy. Fascism often associated with right wing fanaticism, racism, and violence, Nazism, the short name for national socialism is considered to be a form of fascism focusing upon the belief in the superiority of an Aryan race. the term Neo-Nazi refers to the post world war ii activity and those who now seek to resurrect those social movements and ideology in place during that time.

Tactics
extremist groups use a wide range of tactics. They are creative in there approach to disrupt the activities of businesses and target employees. Police officers need to be aware of these tactics when deciding and developing responses. The targeting of protest activity is directed towards primary and secondary sites consisting of:
- Day to day activities- protest by local group members at the primary and sometimes secondary sites;and
- Regional and national days of action- where substantial larger numbers gather together or in organized groups. They will target both primary and secondary sites. Often the majority of the protesters are not local people and there is a likelihood of more extremist involvement.

Primary- Primary sites consist of the main target premises or organization where the activity of that business other sites, which are linked in any way whatsoever to the primary target site. For example, home addresses is the primary issue against which the protest is directed. It has to be recognized that protesters will sometimes deliberately target another site, which is less prepared for such a eventuality. If a place is identifiable as being connected or associated with with a particular organization protesters may regard it as a target.
Secondary- Secondary sites consist of all of directors, shareholders, employees of primary and secondary targets or customers of primary and secondary targets, local authorities, solicitors, banks, shops and public places. The list of potential secondary targets is extensive. It is generally any target that will have a direct impact or assist in the continuing and increasing pressure to bring about the closer of the primary target organization.

Domestic extremist groups have used a wide variety of tactics to progress there cause. The following table provides examples of some tactics that have been used by extremist groups in the UK.

Mass Demonstrations- Organized and pre planned Mass demonstrations covering a large area, for example city center may day protests.
Spontaneous Demonstration- Spontaneous or pre planned demonstration at specific locations, for example, outside company addresses.
Home Address Demonstration- pre planned or Spontaneous demonstration at individuals home address or immediate neighbourhood.
Bomb Telephone Threats- Bomb or other malicious telephone threats to a third party, company premises or individuals home address.
Improvised Explosive Devices- Improvised explosive devices (IEDs), for example in shops or upon vehicles in a distribution center.
Hoax Devices- Real or hoax devices left at company premises or an individuals home address.
Intrusions- Intrusions in to company premises for 'sit ins', obtaining information, for example details of staff or supplying companies, or releasing or stealing animals.
Malicious Mail- Real, hoax or malicious mail sent to company premises or individuals home address.
Harassment- Harassment of staff at or away from company premises
Intimidation- Intimidation of staff at or away from company premises
Unsolicited goods- The sending of unsolicited goods to company and individual employee addresses.
Assault- Physical assault of individuals.
Switchboard Jamming- Telephone switchboard jamming campaigns.
Fax machine blockades- Fax machine blockades a continuous piece of black paper is faxed to the machine.
E-mail saturation- E-mail saturation campaigns.
Infiltration- Social engineering and infiltration, for example, organizations unwittingly employing extremists or sympathizers.


Police response
Domestic extremism has become a concern for many organizations because it targets people and there homes, as well as business premises. Domestic extremism move beyond the bounds of legitimate protest to intimidate individuals engaged in lawful activity and to impose economic cost on legal business. As such, it presents a criminal threat that is national in its scope to the UK and its citizens. The UK police service is working hard to tackle domestic extremism and to respond effectively and appropriately to their criminal activities. The tactic of targeting suppliers, contractors, financial service providers means that single, criminal domestic extremist incidents in local force areas are often part of a series of linked crimes. Local police forces deal with incidents of domestic extremism crime and incidents locally. National police units ensure that the police service has a comprehensive picture of domestic related extremist crime to provide a coordinated, effective, and consistent approach to policing. No one single police department can tackle the challenges of domestic extremism alone. a national frame work of specialized units who support the work of local police forces is in place to tackle these challenges. They include the following:

National Extremism Tactical Coordination Unit (NETCU)- NETCU acts as a central support service for business and that academic sector targeted by domestic extremists. NETCU assess risk and provides one-to-one tactical guidance, security advice and support on dealing with domestic extremist campaigns.
National domestic extremism team (NDET)- NDET integrates with other units and organizations to help develop, priories, and co-ordinate investigation concerning individuals and extremist groups.
National Public Order Intelligence Unit (NPOIU)- NPOIU liaises with special branch teams and counter terrorism unit within the police service to maintain a strategic overview of domestic extremism related public order issues.

The national framework to counter the threats from domestic extremism provide a valuable service to business to protect the economic well being of the UK. There work is often supported by the national counter terrorism security office(NaCTSO) and the network of counter terrorism security advisers(CTSAs). The work of all three police units combines to:
-Uphold the law and protect those engaged in lawful business and employment, while upholding the right to peaceful protest.
-Bring justice to domestic extremists who commit crime as part of a camping
-Ensure victims and potential victims of crime and criminal activity by domestic extremists get the protection and support they need.

little helper


Secondary targets

07.02.2010 13:45

"Secondary sites consist of all of directors, shareholders, employees of primary and secondary targets or customers of primary and secondary targets, local authorities, solicitors, banks, shops and public places"

How can directors and shareholders be described as secondary targets?! They are the actual people owning the business. I would regard them as more of a primary target than the business premises itself.

vegan


What the police are doing is thus....

08.02.2010 09:49

THEY are defining language used to describe OUR tactics and us. The term "animal rights extremist" was dreamt up by NETCU and not really heard that much prior to 2004, now it is a term used to decscibe anyone who protests against animal abuse. Notwithstanding the fact that there is nothing wrong with being an extremist, as we understand it is just a word to describe an attitude beyond the norm so we have "extreme" sports where people go the extra mile and "extreme" views which are not shared by contemporary society. The suffragettes were extremists, Ghandi was an extremist, Gallileo was an extremist, Oscar Wilde was an extremist, all those who fought against slavery were extremists, in their day what they fought for was peposterous, dangerous and perverted, imprisonment, torture and execution were their fate. Very few people would now disagree with these trailblazers core beliefs.

The police, however, are claiming the word "extreme" as their own and making it sound as though being "extreme" is wrong, criminally wrong rather than something which pushes society forwards and looks outside the contemporary norm to new ideas and solutions. The word has become matter of fact when used by police, media, politicians and lawyers and it is used in a derogatory sense. We are none too suprised to see them define what "a secondary Target" is as well, no doubt there will be some sort of legislation to deal with "extremists" as opposed to "terrorists" (we are not terrorists cos that term is too scary for investors!) in the next few years with them using this termninology to legislate against us. Once they have used the term "secondary target" a few times it will be THEIR definition in Hansard and in the papers not the actual definition. Cheeky barstads!

Netcu Watch


Also worth looking at

08.02.2010 13:12

Also worth having a look at the Blackstone's Police Operational Handbook: Practice and procedure.
The 'Public Order' Chapter is useful giving an overview of police command structure and different resources they use (e.g. EGT, FIT, Spotters, dogs ect), as well as training (level 1,2 and 3 Public order training) and 'Sheild Tactics' such as 'tactical withdrawal'.
The section on protest is very intresting. Is states that as soon as a police officer engages with someone on a tripod or lock on the automatically assume some responsibly for their safety. It also warns against useing breach of the peace to arrest peopleprotesters as it is easy for protesters to claim compensation.

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