Tackling domestic extremism
The term 'domestic extremism' applies to unlawful action that is part of a protest or campaign. It is most often associated with 'single-issue' protests, such as animal rights, anti-war, anti-globalisation and anti-GM (genetically modified) crops.
The majority of people involved in single-issue protest campaign lawfully. However, there is a small minority of campaigners who seek to further their cause by committing criminal offences.
Domestic extremism has become a concern to many organisations because it targets people and their homes, as well as business premises. Domestic extremism moves beyond the bounds of legitimate protest to intimidate individuals engaged in lawful activity and to impose economic costs on legal businesses. As such, it presents a criminal threat that is national in its scope to the UK and its citizens.
No single stakeholder can tackle domestic extremism alone. NETCU is part of a coordinated, multi-agency, multi-partnership approach to defeat campaigns by domestic extremists.
National and local government, the police and criminal justice system, business and the academic sector are working together to:
- uphold the law and protect those engaged in lawful business and employment, while upholding the right to peaceful protest
- bring to justice domestic extremists who commit crime as part of a campaign
- ensure victims and potential victims of crime and criminal activity by domestic extremists get the protection and support they need.
