How do you distinguish between peaceful protest and domestic extremism?
"The police service recognises the dilemma between pursuing individuals who commit serious criminal offences in the name of protest; and the duty of police to uphold the rights of the peaceful and lawful majority to protest.
"The vast majority protest peacefully and lawfully and their actions are facilitated by police up and down the country every week. But there are a small number of single-issue groups and individuals who have pursued a determined course of criminal activity in recent years, ranging from blackmail and serious intimidation in the name of animal rights; bombing campaigns by violent and racist individuals associated with far right groups; violent disorder from left wing or anarchist individuals; to large-scale criminal damage against scientific GM crops studies."
"Coordinating and sharing information across the police service is an essential part of the policing response to these individuals and groups."
You can find more information about domestic extremism here.
