Experts from
academia and industry have been invited to provide groundbreaking
new research to help combat the threat of international terrorism
through science and technology, the Home Office announced today.
A vital factor in preventing a terrorist attack is identifying
terrorists as they prepare for it, and the application of
behavioural and social science is crucial to this.
This branch of science can explain why individuals and groups
behave as they do, and anticipate certain behaviour. For example,
advances in our understanding of the signs of suspicious behaviour
are directly impacting on how we secure our national
infrastructure through better training and guidance of security personnel.
The government has launched the Science and Technology Strategy
as part of its counter-terrorism strategy CONTEST to set out
objectives for using developments in these industries to protect
the UK. Today, the second in a series of brochures under the
scheme which aims to encourage participation and ideas from
academia and industry has been published.
Today's brochure is targeted at experts in social and
behavioural science in particular, asking them to think about how
they can play a role in helping the counter-terrorism community
tackle the security challenges we face.
Security Minister Lord West said:
"We face a real and ongoing threat from international
terrorism, and the UK must use its position as a world leader in
science and technology to counter this.
"The UK has some of the finest experts in social and
behavioural research and it is essential that we use this
knowledge to protect the public from those who would wish to do us
harm. As terrorists seek to exploit new technologies and tactics,
we are adapting and strengthening our response.
"We are encouraging the world of social and behavioural
science to share their ideas and expertise with us to do this.
Academia and industry may be able to provide invaluable assistance
and advice in helping to prevent terrorist attacks."
Notes to editors
1. The Counter-terrorism Science and Technology Strategy can be
found at: http://security.homeoffice.gov.uk/counter-terrorism-strategy/
2. The brochure can be found at the following link:
http://security.homeoffice.gov.uk/news-publications/publication-search/general/Science-Technology-strategy/index.html
3. The Government's Counter-terrorism strategy
"CONTEST" can be found at: http://security.homeoffice.gov.uk/counter-terrorism-strategy/
4. As part of the Government's counter terrorism
strategy (CONTEST) Security Minister Lord West yesterday received
a demonstration at the University of Reading of new crowd
modelling technology designed to help predict terrorist incidents
through monitoring changes in crowd behaviour.
5. CONTEST, the Government's counter-terrorism strategy has:
* deployed around 3,000 police officers dedicated to countering
terrorism across England and Wales, with more in Scotland and
Northern Ireland;
* developed a community-based response to violent extremism
across the country, reaching over 40,000 individuals;
*
trained tens of thousands of people throughout the UK, from
security guards to shop managers, to deal with a terrorist attack;
* following charges made since 11 September 2001 a total of
230 persons have been convicted of terrorism related offences (to
30th September 2009)
* as of 30 September 2009, 132 persons were in prison for
terrorist-related offences in Great Britain
Contacts:
Home Office Press Office
Phone: 020 7035 3535
NDS.HO@coi.gsi.gov.uk