Enforcing the law
The UK police service is working hard to tackle domestic extremism and respond effectively and appropriately to the criminal acts of domestic extremists.
The tactic of targeting suppliers, contractors, financial service providers, stakeholders and so on – secondary and tertiary organisations – means that single, criminal domestic extremist incidents in local police force areas are often part of a series of linked crimes.
Local police forces deal with domestic extremist crime and incidents locally. National police units ensure that the police service has a comprehensive picture of domestic extremist crime to provide a coordinated, effective and consistent approach to policing.
It is important that organisations and individuals report domestic extremist activity to the appropriate authority – this may be the person with responsibility for security within the organisation – and to the local police.
The police will investigate incidents at both local and national level. This can lead to prosecution in the criminal courts.
Part of the Government's strategy to tackle animal rights extremism includes ensuring that the courts are aware that illegal acts of intimidation and violence connected to domestic extremist campaigns could be aggravating factors that attract higher sentence on conviction.
The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 introduced new powers to deal with domestic extremist tactics, including protests outside homes, harassment and economic damage.
Organisations and individuals can also consider seeking civil remedies to obtain legally enforceable orders stopping the activities of domestic extremists.
NETCU also liaises with international law enforcement agencies and police forces in other countries to share intelligence and best practice on policing domestic extremist crime.
