WECTU activity – Cardiff
Yesterday evening (Thursday, January 19th), officers from the Wales Extremism and Counter Terrorism Unit (WECTU) and South Wales Police attended a Community Centre in the Canton area of Cardiff.
This followed concerns from the local community about meetings that have been taking place at this venue in recent months.
In support of the revised national PREVENT strategy, a number of individuals were spoken to and handed leaflets and letters advising them that they would no longer be allowed to hold meetings on council premises.
This is due to concerns that the organisers of these events may be associated with the organisation Muslims Against Crusades. This group was proscribed under the Terrorism Act 2000, in November 2011, by the Home Secretary, Theresa May as it is believed to promote or glorify terrorism.
The policing operation was supported by Cardiff Council and represents a partnership approach to protecting the communities of Cardiff and South Wales from radicalisation and extremism.
The long standing support of Cardiff’s Muslim communities has been crucial in enabling police and partners to take action against a very small number of individuals whose activities are of concern.
During the police visit one local male was arrested for assault and a public order offence and remains in police custody.
The Wales Extremism and Counter Terrorism Unit and South Wales Police will be continuing to work with local communities to ensure that individuals or groups that glorify terrorism or engage in extremism that promotes terrorist ideologies have no voice within Cardiff and South Wales.
South Wales Police Assistant Chief Constable Matt Jukes said:
“Last night’s activity forms part of a wider strategy to prevent radicalisation within our communities and to stop vulnerable people from being drawn into extremism or becoming prey to terrorist ideologies.
“While there is a need for a careful balance in protecting freedom of speech, promoting or glorifying terrorism is unlawful and groups such as Muslims Against Crusades have no place in South Wales. Our actions, and that of our partners, represent a proportionate response to this issue.
“South Wales Police is proud to have strong links with our communities, not just in Cardiff but across our force area, and their help and trust is vital to make sure that we tackle radicalisation and extremism together.
“This is a problem that will not be solved by police activity alone. It is essential we continue to work together to ensure all our communities have confidence in the police. Only in this way, will they feel confident to come to us with their concerns and confident that they can influence the future of their communities in a positive way.”
Chief Superintendent of the Cardiff area, Alun Maxwell Thomas said:
“We recognise that local people may have concerns as a result of the recent police activity. Neighbourhood Policing Teams and members of the South Wales Police Channel Project will be out in the area as usual to speak to anyone who may be worried or concerned.
“In Wales and particularly in Cardiff, we are fortunate to have the support of local communities and powerful partnerships to ensure PREVENT activity is focused and proportionate.
“It is important to stress that it is Cardiff’s Muslim communities who have expressed concerns about the activities of Muslims Against Crusades in the city. Yesterday’s action seeks to positively address these concerns.”
Chief Executive of Cardiff County Council Mr Jon House said :
“A number of concerns had been raised with Cardiff Council by the city's Muslim communities that individuals who might belong to an organisation which has been prescribed under the Terrorism Act 2000 Muslims Against Crusades could be using Council venues to hold meetings and potentially radicalise vulnerable members of our society.
“Due to these concerns and working closely with South Wales Police we have advised these individuals that they can no longer be allowed to hold meetings on Council premises.
“Freedom of speech is very important to the Council but the need for this must be carefully balanced alongside the need for the safety and wellbeing of our communities.”