Terror battle steps up with civilian sources

Undercover cops in Essex Police’s special branch – which deals with counter terrorism – have been working to find residents across the county who can act as sources offering information about radical extremists.

The county’s force has also appointed a “community engagement team”, made up of a sergeant and two constables, to build up trust among the Islamic community, particularly women and youngsters.

It is hoped the move will make Muslims feel more comfortable about reporting terror-related incidents or offering up the name of extremists.

The measures were revealed in a report for the Essex Police Authority, by temporary chief constable Andy Bliss, outlining what the force does and is planning to do to deal with the terrorist threat. It will be discussed on Monday at a meeting of the performance committee. Roger Grimwade, Essex police spokesman, said of the community engagement team: “Traditionally the Muslim community has not always been very trusting of the police.

“This team aims to engage with them to build up that trust so they feel comfortable speaking with police.”

But Sarfraz Sarwar, 61, leader of the Basildon Muslim Association, said he felt the Islamic community were being singled out by police. He said: “This is going to segregate Muslims further as we are being singled out as troublemakers.

“The police seem to be only targeting us, but there are other groups out there who commit terrorist acts, it’s just the same old Islamophobia.

“We are just as British as anyone else and this is just playing into the hands of right-wing extremists.”

The “engagement team” forms part of the Government’s counter-extremist programme called Prevent.

Angela Smith, Labour MP for Basildon, said of the measures: “Police have to do all they can to get under the causes of terrorism.

“Most people never see any terrorist activity because the police and others have been able to tackle it, but they need to target groups across the board.”