Strategy of the fight against terrorism in the United Kingdom

Goretskaya V.V. (*)

Introduction

In the recent days, the issue of terrorism is certainly relevant, as in the twenty-first century the struggle has become a worldwide problem and it affects most countries of the world community. In this article, I would like to draw attention to the terrorist attacks in the British capital, as well as, on the territory of the United Kingdom as a whole country.

 

Counter-terrorism strategy and its implementation

Nowadays, the fight against terrorism in the United Kingdom is based on the strategy, which is called CONTEST (Counter Terrorism Strategy) and includes a comprehensive approach. The strategy has been updated 2 times since its adoption in 2003, then an updated version (CONTEST 2) – in 2009 and in 2011, this update is associated with the terrorist attacks "of September 11." The basic principles of the articles remained unchanged. CONTEST is designed to study the causes of extremism in order to deny terrorist groups ability to recruit new fighters and with public support. It also indicates that terrorist attacks still occur, despite increased law enforcement and intelligence. This is due to the desire to provide the possibility of application of emergency measures in the event of a terrorist act[1] The content of the CONTEST consists of 4 key elements, they are usually called the “four P”:

- - «Prevent». It’s aimed at curbing radicalization. The aim is to keep people actively sympathizing terrorists from committing terrorist acts, and to eradicate the underlying motives of terrorism.

- «Pursue» is aimed at finding and destroying the existing terrorist networks. It is intelligence, which plays a major role in identifying and monitoring potential threats.

- - «Protect» is to reduce the vulnerability of England to terrorist attacks. The goal of the concept is to complicate terrorists crossing British borders to the utmost.

- - «Prepare» a final aspect, the main provision which reads as follows: although it is impossible to prevent every single terrorist attack, you need to plan crisis situations, to enhance the ability of States to respond to terrorist attacks[2]

However, the concept of the prevention of terrorism (i.e., its communication component) for a long time was implemented in the UK insufficiently, the majority of financial assistance and new projects were concentrated on other areas. In 2006, a new organization was established: the 15th anti-terrorism team, special operations (Counter Terrorism Command – STS) [1].

_____________________

(*) Goretskaya Vera Vadimovna – 3rd year student of international relations

Peoples, Friendship University of Russia

Email: veragor98@yandex.ru

 

Anti-terrorist team fights the menace of terrorism at the local, national and international level and supports the national counter-terrorism network and the senior national coordinator for the fight against terrorism.

New methods of fight against terrorism

One of the famous Newspapers in the world "The Times" informed of the new method of dealing with terrorists in London. The Times reports the police of the United Kingdom announced a new method to prevent a collision of a car into the crowd. It is based on the use of special chain called "Talon" with tungsten studs. The chain is decomposed into the road in front of the car, and when it runs into the network, thorns entangle wheels, and pin them, not allowing them to spin (4).

The government also wants to expand its powers in the struggle for international security after the exit from the EU. There became known about the beginning of work on a bill that would allow the British authorities to actively impose sanctions, freeze assets or block the accounts of organizations, states or individuals, which, in the opinion of the government, threat peace and security.

Thelans to develop such a document became known after the statement of the British government. "It will allow us to impose sanctions independently or together with our partners from the EU or any country in the world. This needs for targeted action against countries, organizations or individuals who violate international law, commit acts of terrorism or financing it, threaten international security and peace",- declared British Minister for cooperation with Europe, Alan Duncan. Nowadays in England there are about 30 of the sanctions against the various organizations and some countries, including Russia, North Korea and Iran (2).

4 June 2017, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom "loudly" announced the revision of the strategy against terrorism. The Prime Minister outlined a plan to fight terrorism with four points, all of which highlight one idea to combat "the devil's ideology" not only at the state level, but also throughout the world. "It's time to say: enough is enough! Our society will continue to exist as we think it is right in line with our values. But in regard to the treatment of extremism and terrorism, it is necessary to be changed," summed up Theresa May (1).

Conclusion

Thus, the fight against international terrorism affects all countries and requires the attention of the world community. The terrorist attacks in London (was in London underground on 7 July 2005, killing the military in May 2013 by the Islamist radicals, a recent series of terrorist attacks on May 22, 2017 in Manchester and another terrorist attack in London on 22 March 2017) make us understand that the problem of terrorism is one of the most important in XXI century (3). The relevance of the issue higher than ever, so the international community needs to use all possible forces to combat international terrorism.

 

Примечания

 

1) Коммерсант 2017. [Электронный ресурс]. URL: https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/3317720 (дата обращения 15.10.2017).

 

2) Коммерсант 2017. [Электронный ресурс]. URL: https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/3407950 (дата обращения 15.10.2017).

 

3) Теракты в Великобритании за последние четверть века от 23.05.2017, [Электронный ресурс]. URL: https://sputnik-georgia.ru/reviews/20170523/236057563/Terakty-v-Velikobritanii-za-poslednie-chetvert-veka.html (дата обращения 14.10.2017).

 

4) The Times 2017. [Электронный ресурс]. URL: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/spiked-nets-to-protect-crowds-from-terrorist-vehicles-dzvvtclvd (дата обращения 15.10.2017).

 

Научная литература

 

[1] Громыко А.А. (ред.) (2012). Британия в кризисе: тактические меры и стратегические цели. Доклады Института Европы РАН №280. М.

 

[1] Silke, A. (ed.), 2011: 12

[2] Silke, A. (ed.), 2011: 12–13]. 2 Silke, A. (ed.) The Psychology of Counter-Terrorism, Routledge, London – New York, UK – USA. 2011