CTP welcomes additional Home Office funding

As part of wider counter terrorism laws, targeting tougher sentencing and monitoring of suspects and convicted terrorists, the Home Office has announced that funding for counter terrorism policing will grow to £906 million in 2020 to 2021.

Representing a £90 million year-on-year increase, the funding will support and maintain the record high number of ongoing counter terrorism policing investigations and ensure a swift and effective response to terrorist incidents across the country, no matter where they take place.

The government will also review support available to victims of terrorism, including families and loved ones, investing £500,000 to increase the support provided by the Victims of Terrorism Unit, to ensure more victims get the support and advice they need, faster.

Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, the head of Counter Terrorism Policing, said: “Today’s announcement of additional counter terrorism funding is gratefully received, and I am pleased the government is willing to help us strengthen the world class CT network protecting the UK. Similarly, we support any change in legislation which will ensure dangerous terrorists serve sentences proportionate to their crimes.

“But we have seen our demand increase by around a third since 2017, and the only way we are going to turn the tide is by throwing our support behind the only strategy which attempts to divert people away from violent extremism in the first place – Prevent. Whether Prevent is attempting to stop someone following a path towards terrorism, or hoping to rehabilitate and de-radicalise those who have already been convicted, it is our best hope in reducing the threat in the long term.”