Blackstone's Counter-terrorism Handbook

Description

Policing counter-terrorism forms a central strand of the 2009-2012 National Policing Plan, under which all police officers are expected to have a basic understanding of policing counter-terrorism and anti-terrorism legislation. The timely publication of this invaluable and user-friendly book provides non-specialist patrol officers with a practical guide to both the national and police counter-terrorism structures and strategies and the relevant provisions of anti-terrorism legislation, drawn from the Police National Legal Database. Designed in the same portable, weather-proof style as the successful Blackstone's Operational Handbook, this book is an ideal practical resource - a quick and easy reference tool when on the beat. The book is divided into two parts, offering readers both a helpful and informative history and context to policing counter-terrorism as well as all the relevant legislation, drawn from and linked to the government-sponsored Police National Legal Database. Part 1 of the Handbook provides readers with an operational framework and context to counter-terrorism. It summarises the different types of terrorist organisations, featuring a comprehensive list of Proscribed Organisations with a page devoted to the key facts for each. The first part also outlines the police counter-terrorism structure, the Government's CONTEST strategy, and the roles and functions of key organisations (from M15 to HM Revenue and Excise). All this information is supplemented with case studies, practical scenarios and checklists, to illustrate the practical application of the legislation. Part 2 is devoted to counter-terrorism legislation itself, focussing primarily on police powers and procedures. These provisions are accompanied by explanatory notes, related case law and points to prove, ensuring that the information is easily comprehensible and digestible. An essential resource for all patrol officers and PCSOs, this book is the first of it's kind to be aimed specifically at the police and their counter-terrorism training needs. Review: AN IDEAL PRACTICAL RESOURCE FOR POLICE OFFICERS... - AND SAD BUT FASCINATING READING FOR US ALL An appreciation by Phillip Taylor MBE and Elizabeth Taylor of Richmond Green Chambers Few books are more aptly named than the Counter-Terrorism Handbook- unique, but what it is fighting is unique in its own way with modern technology. Small enough (almost) for your pocket, and encased appropriately within , sturdy plastic covers, it delivers over 700 pages packed with clear, pertinent and rigorously researched information and guidance on this vexed subject, which has emerged as one of the most serious threats to life and limb in a free society. Designed to provide all police practitioners with an operational guide to anti-terrorism legislation, this is the first volume of its kind aimed specifically at the police and their counter-terrorism training needs, and very much in the style of military notepads officer cadets (like me) used more years ago than one cares to remember when state resources were more limited, but rather more straightforward in both combat intelligence and physical security policing. The Handbook contains chapters on the counter-terrorism operational framework, national structures and strategies and the role and functions of key agencies. The legislative section is compiled by the Police National Legal Database (PNLD) and focuses on police powers, procedures and terrorism offences. When we met the authors at the launch, the usp emphasis of the Handbook rests with the excellent `points to note' and case studies which give that blend of field support which is clearly so well needed to police this area of crime today. Lord Carlile, who, in 2001, became "Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation", explains in the Foreword that the highly experienced authors of this excellent book have drawn together the body of counter-terrorism legislation in a form accessible to all stakeholders. This Handbook which he describes as being designed for police officers will undoubtedly attract attention and interest from a much wider readership, including Ministers, civil servants and lawyers and all aspects of the security services. Carlile draws particular attention to the extensive use of case studies, the 'what-really-happened-when' challenge of the terrorism landscape and as such, an invaluable and certainly crystal clear training resource for specialist and non-specialist officers alike. Lord Berriew's particular concern, however, is one which we suggest the majority of the British public share and wholeheartedly endorse when he says that terrorism law should be used only for terrorism purposes- how right he is and we know where it hasn't followed this road. He continues, saying that every step outside those purposes provides terrorists with an argument. All in authority are required never to forget that such laws are a step outside the norms of criminal justice legislation. Such expedients as stop and search...cordoning off specific areas...accessing details of a bank account and so forth, should be used with the utmost caution. Misused or abused, they and similar measures can escalate into serious infringements of cherished, hard-won freedoms within a democracy. Consider, for example, the controversial proposal to introduce compulsory ID cards now discarded, which of course, two out of our three mainstream political parties opposed until the government capitulated, generally citing grounds that ID cards, traditionally the tool of the traditional police state, are a major threat to personal freedom and a very minor threat to the determined terrorist. Just to digress a bit, this reminds us of a quote from Benjamin Franklin that appeared in the Times `Letters' page a couple of years ago to the effect that `those who would sacrifice freedom for safety deserve neither freedom nor safety.' Hmmn - we think Ben was right and, as the problems of terrorism affect us all, we can safely recommend this fascinating and authoritative handbook, not just to the professionals involved, but to the general reader as the ideal resource for modern physical and covert security issues in the modern world. ISBN: 978-0-19-955980-0 YouTube [...] Review: There is no Blackstone associated with this book - it is a cheap way to get publicity... - This is a joke - no Blackstone wrote anything in it, and it is just using my family name to further the jack-booted police state!