Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism

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Group.png Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism  
(Intelligence agencyPowerbase WebsiteRdf-entity.pngRdf-icon.png
AbbreviationOCST
Formation2007
Parent organizationAssociation of Chief Police Officers, UK/Home Office
LeaderDirector General of the Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism
SubgroupsResearch Information and Communications Unit
Interests“counter-terrorism”
SubpageOffice for Security and Counter-Terrorism/Director General

The Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism (OSCT) is a directorate within the Home Office which heads "counter-terrorism" in the UK, including preparation of legislation. As of October 2009, it reports to Home Secretary Alan Johnson and Minister of State Phil Woolas.[1]

According to the Guardian, the OSCT is widely regarded in Whitehall as an intelligence agency. The Office's head, Charles Farr, is a former senior intelligence officer, as is another un-named senior officer.[2]

Activities

On 22 November 2017 Robert Stuart reported his suspicions about Ian Pannell, Darren Conway and Hand in Hand for Syria to the Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism.[3]

Preventing Violent Extremism

Full article: CONTEST/Prevent

The OSCT, for the year 2009-10, received £8.5 million in relation to preventing violent extremism.[4]

The OSCT in 2009-10 is providing £5.6 million of direct funding to the UK's National Offender Management System in regards to a programme of preventing violent extremism and radicalisation. This programme, however, spans across the entire Contest 2 strategy.[5]

The Youth Justice Board is in receipt of £3.5 million of this £5.6 million and is delivering Prevent programmes through Youth Offending Teams.[6]

The OSCT spent £600,000 on the Channel Programme in 2006-07 and has spent £1 million in 2008-09. [7]

Criticism

At the National Union of Teachers' 2016 conference in Brighton, the union members voted overwhelmingly against the Prevent strategy and supported its abolition, citing concerns of implementing the strategy and causing "suspicion in the classroom and confusion in the staffroom".[8]

 

An event carried out

Event
CONTEST

 

Employees on Wikispooks

EmployeeJobAppointedEndDescription
Hanif QadirAdviser on all P/CVE related issues. Emerging threats & trends re Extremist/Terrorist NetworksJune 2007May 2016"Adviser to senior civil servants in Government on Extremist & Terrorist Recruitment. Emerging trends and threats. What works and what doesn't."
Hanif QadirExpert Prevent/CVE Intervention ProviderJune 2007May 2016"One of the very first specialist Prevent/CVE Intervention Provider. Engaged & Mentored 100's of High risk & those at risk individuals."
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References

  1. About us, Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism, Home Office, accessed 17 October 2009.
  2. Vikram Dodd, Government anti-terrorism strategy 'spies' on innocent, guardian.co.uk, 16 October 2009.
  3. https://bbcpanoramasavingsyriaschildren.wordpress.com/2017/11/22/ian-pannell-and-darren-conway-reported-to-national-counter-terrorism-security-office/
  4. Home Office Freedom of Information Request 12172 - accessed 17/11/09
  5. Delivering the Prevent Strategy: An Updated Guide for Local Partners HM Government, August 2009, p. 26 - accessed 17/11/09
  6. ibid
  7. House of Commons Hansard, Column 1376W 22 July 2008 - accessed 18/11/09
  8. {{URL|example.com|optional display text}}