enable intervention and direction to all parties, if it is determined by the Home Secretary that such action is necessary to prevent or mitigate risk to the public of national security.[1]
Homeland Security Group: Formerly known as the Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism (OSCT), Homeland Security Group has responsibility for the Government's counter-terrorism strategy (CONTEST), policy and legislation response to the threat of terrorism in the UK. That objective, as set out in the Home Office Departmental Plan,[2] is to:
- Implement the CONTEST Strategy to stop people becoming terrorists, or supporting terrorism, by safeguarding and supporting those vulnerable to radicalisation and enabling those who have already engaged in terrorism to disengage and rehabilitate;
- Stop terrorist attacks in this country and against UK interests overseas by disrupting those who wish to engage in terrorist activity;
- Strengthen protection against a terrorist attack by improving security and resilience across the UK's public spaces, transport and infrastructure and reduce illicit access to the material needed for an attack, including at the border;
- Mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack to save lives, reduce harm and aid recovery by delivering a co-ordinated response across the emergency services and a strengthened response to evolving threats; and develop existing capabilities by further integrating across the national security community and developing wider partnerships across the public and private sector.
Homeland Security Group has no specialised resource dedicated to any ideologically specific threat. Staff, resources and tools work on counter-terrorism holistically, regardless of the ideology or group.[3] The Director General for Homeland Security Group is also the Senior Responsible Officer for Counter-Terrorism (CT SRO).
The Home Secretary said that the decision had been taken to restructure the department as a result of the "level of siloised working and the lack of integration across the entire department". She said the new set up was already reaping benefits in terms of promoting integration across the Department, and in the case of ERWT was proving particularly helpful in the online space when it came to determining "who holds the pen in scrutiny of the online space, who will make the call effectively to a particular social media firm and then with the work of RICU [Research and Information Communications Unit of Homeland Security Group], for example, how does all that join up".[4]
- ↑ The relationship with Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) is overseen by the Security Minister through the quarterly chaired Ministerial Oversight Group. This is attended by the National Policing Lead for Counter-Terrorism (Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu) and senior officials and officers and covers the strategic risks and issues facing CTP. The Assistant Commissioner briefs the Home Secretary at the Weekly Security Meeting on operational matters. The Home Office is also responsible for the CTP budget, which is provided by direct grant, subject to negotiation at Spending Review and annual agreement on final budget.
- ↑ Home Office, Home Office Single Departmental Plan, 27 June 2019; www.gov.uk/government/publications/home-office-single-departmental-plan/home-office-singel-departmental-plan-3
- ↑ On 1 April 2021, the Home Office restructured its Directorates based around missions and capabilities, with the new structure forming three vertical Director General-led "missions". These are Homeland Security Group, Public Safety, and Migration and Borders. The Homeland Security Group mission is made up of Economic Crime, Cyber Policy, and Serious and Organised Crime it also includes a new State Threats Directorate.
- ↑ Oral evidence - Home Secretary, 20 May 2021.
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