NCJ Number
217487
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 74 Issue: 2 Dated: February 2007 Pages: 30,31,33,35
Date Published
February 2007
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article presents an excerpt of a speech given in 2006 by Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller, director general of the Security Service for the United Kingdom (UK), warning of the continuing threat of terrorism to the United Kingdom.
Abstract
The speech, delivered at the Queen Mary’s College in London, focuses on the realities of the terrorist threat facing the United Kingdom in 2006 and on the motivations of terrorist groups who seek to harm the United Kingdom. Dame Manningham-Buller also outlines how the Security Service, in partnership with other groups, is rising to meet the challenges posed by terrorists. The international terrorist threat to the United Kingdom preceded the events of September 11, 2001, but has grown considerably since that time. The United Kingdom has been successful in thwarting a string of attacks within its borders, although it was unsuccessful in detecting the deadly bombings in London in July 2005. Officers in the United Kingdom are currently investigating over 200 groups containing over 1,600 individuals who are actively engaged in plotting or facilitating terrorist attacks in the country. Nearly 30 plots to kill people and damage the UK economy have been uncovered and many have been linked to al-Qaeda in Pakistan. In terms of the motivations of terrorists, it is clear that al-Qaeda actively encourages a belief that Islam is under attack by Western nations and needs to be defended. Individual suicide bombers have left video wills indicating that they were motivated by perceived worldwide and long-standing injustices against Muslims. Before closing, Dame Manningham-Buller notes the hard work of her staff in gathering and analyzing terrorism-related intelligence under difficult circumstances that include a daunting increase in the amount of intelligence and casework.