Counter Terror Business - Policing & Law Enforcement

Dashcam footage reveals plans for mass-casualty attack at NYC protest

Angela Pisanu — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:55:54 +0000

Two teenagers accused of bringing homemade explosive devices to a protest in New York City had their plans recorded on a dashboard camera inside their vehicle, according to a newly released indictment.

As reported in The Independent, prosecutors allege that Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, travelled from Pennsylvania to Manhattan ahead of a March 7 demonstration outside the home of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Authorities say the pair threw two improvised explosive devices during the protest, though neither detonated and both men were quickly arrested.

Audio and video recovered from a dashboard camera allegedly captured the pair outlining their intentions. In the recordings, prosecutors say the men discussed targeting both government officials and civilians, with one stating a desire to “start terror.”

According to court documents, Balat claimed he had calculated the potential impact of the devices, suggesting they could kill between eight and 16 people, or as many as 60 in a crowded setting. He is also accused of describing how the attack would be carried out, including a countdown before throwing the explosives and possible alternative targets if the initial plan failed.

Investigators said a notebook found in the vehicle detailed a separate plan involving a vehicle attack on large public gatherings such as festivals and parades.

The devices allegedly contained the highly volatile explosive TATP along with shrapnel.

Both men are being held without bail and face multiple federal charges, including attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organisation and using a weapon of mass destruction. They have not yet entered pleas.

CTP join Derby incident investigation

Polly Jones — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 10:34:11 +0000

Officers from Counter Terrorism Policing are supporting Derbyshire Constabulary with the investigation into an incident were a car was driven at pedestrians in Derby.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after pedestrians were hit by a black Suzuki Swift in Friar Gate at about 9.30pm on Saturday 28 March.

Seven people were injured, four men and three women aged between 36 and 52, some seriously, though none have life-threatening injuries. Three have now been discharged from hospital

A 36-year-old Derby man, who was originally from India, but had lived in the UK for a number of years has been arrested. He remains in custody and police have been given more time to question him.

Counter Terrorism Policing colleagues are assisting with the investigation, which is being led by Derbyshire detectives. This is common practice for an incident of this nature. Detectives are keeping an open mind about motive and the incident is not being treated as terrorism.

Chief Superintendent Emma Aldred said: “I’d like to reiterate my well wishes to all the victims in this case as they begin their recovery supported by specialist officers.

“I also want to thank the eyewitnesses whose reports allowed us to make an arrest just minutes after this incident happened.

“The response to this incident was a multi-agency one and we are continuing to work closely with partners and local businesses. I’d like to thank them for all of their support.

“Detectives are continuing to question the arrested man and have been carrying out extensive enquiries over the last couple of days.

“While I understand that there is significant interest in the circumstances of this case, at this time it is extremely important that we maintain the integrity of the investigation to ensure that it is as thorough and proportionate as the public would expect.

Met changes approach to Palestine Action support

Polly Jones — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 12:52:54 +0000

The Metropolitan police has changed its enforcement approach that officers will take in response to displays of support for Palestine Action.

Since last month's High Court judgment, which ruled the proscription unlawful, the force adopted an interim approach that meant while officers would identify and gather evidence of offences, arrests would be unlikely.

However, this has now changed and anyone showing support for the group is likely to be arrested.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman said: “While the High Court has found the proscription of Palestine Action to be unlawful, it has confirmed the impact of that judgment will not take effect until the Government’s appeal has been considered which could take many months

“That means it is still a criminal offence to support Palestine Action

“We must enforce the law as it is at the time, not as it might be at a future date. We must do that consistently and without fear or favour."

He continued: "We needed to give our officers clear guidance in unusual circumstances and recognising we needed time to reflect fully on the unique situation and what it meant for policing, the most proportionate option was to step back from arresting while still gathering evidence of offences.

“The High Court decided on 25 February to grant the �鶹�� Secretary permission to appeal and to leave the proscription in place pending the outcome of that appeal. Having now considered our position in light of that decision, taking into account all the circumstances, we have determined that while Palestine Action remains proscribed and support for it remains unlawful under the Terrorism Act, we must continue to enforce the law and this is likely to involve the arrest of those committing offences.”

Children caught with knives to be given tailored support

Polly Jones — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 12:31:14 +0000

The government has announced that every child caught carrying a knife in England and Wales will be given a mandatory targeted plan to stop them reoffending.

The action will be jointly led by the Ministry of Justice and the �鶹�� Office and is part of the government's plan to halve knife crime in a decade.

Every child knife possession case will be referred to Youth Justice Services - locally-led teams spanning health, education and community services tasked with mandating targeted action to help each child.

The plans will work to address the root causes of a child’s offending, including potential exploitation by criminal gangs and childhood trauma, and the child could be forced to attend mentoring to stay in education or social skills training to boost employability.

The plans will be mandatory and failure to engage will have serious consequences including criminal charges and prison time.

The plans will be supported by a three-year wider funding package for Youth Justice Services, worth over £320 million.

Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy said: "Every life lost to knife crime is an unmitigated tragedy. With early targeted action, we can put children on the right path to a positive future and stop them falling into a toxic cycle of reoffending.

"Our reforms will give local services the security they need to help more young people and make our streets safer for everyone."

Policing Minister, Sarah Jones said: "Carrying a knife will now trigger an immediate, mandatory intervention — no excuses.

"This guidance makes sure every child is referred straight to a Youth Justice Services team and is given the support needed to change course.

"As Policing Minister, I am working with forces across England and Wales to ensure officers have the full backing of the �鶹�� Office to crack down on knife possession, act quickly when knives are found, and prevent violence before it happens.

"We’re acting fast to stop violence before it starts and keep our streets safe."

Record funding to boost neighbourhood policing in Wales

Polly Jones — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 11:26:37 +0000

The UK government is set to invest a record £18.4 billion in neighbourhood policing in Wales.

Every police force in the country is set to receive a real-terms increase in spending to cut crime and catch criminals.

Dyfed-Powys Police will receive up to £170.9 million, an increase of 4.5 per cent; Gwent Police, up to £205.2, an increase of 4.2 per cent; North Wales Police up to £235.8 million, an increase of 4.3 per cent and South Wales Police up to £458.9 million, an increase of 3.9 per cent.

�鶹�� Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said: "Since taking office, this government has increased police funding by nearly £2 billion.

"We are restoring neighbourhood policing, with nearly 2,400 more neighbourhood officers in our communities.

"And we are now reforming policing, so local forces protect their communities, and national policing protects us all."

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said: "People in every part of Wales deserve to feel safe in their communities and have confidence in the police to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour that blights lives.

"The UK Government is delivering a record levels of funding to help police forces put yet more officers on the streets, boosting the number of neighbourhood police officers even further."

Supermax restrictions for extremists in prison

Polly Jones — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 12:48:06 +0000

The Deputy PM has announced an overhaul of separation centres in an attempt to better tackle the unique threat that terror offenders pose.

These changes includes explore supermax-style controls for the most violent and extreme prisoners, improving how intelligence is collected and used, and reforms to better protect against litigation and limit payouts to terrorists.

The announcement follows the publication of Jonathan Hall KC’s independent review of separation centres, launched in the wake of the HMP Frankland attack last year. The government has now published its response to the review, accepting the recommendations in full.

New measures include a commitment to create a new tiered separation centre system, with the most dangerous extremists facing stricter conditions; an expert-led review of training for staff working in these units, to ensure it is tailored to the uniquely dangerous environments in which they work; strengthening internal processes and considering whether new legislation is required to better protect decisions taken by experienced staff in separation centres from litigation on Article 8 grounds; and further improving intelligence collection practices to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and ensure intelligence directly informs operational decisions.

Separation centres were created in 2017 to isolate the most influential extremist offenders from the rest of the prison population.

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said: "The horrific attack at HMP Frankland was a stark reminder of the dangers our prison staff face every day…Mr Hall’s review makes serious and wide-reaching recommendations, and our response will be decisive and determined.

"Taken together, they will strengthen security, better protect our brave prison staff and reinforce the resilience of our counter-terrorism infrastructure within the estate.

"This Government will always stand behind those who stand between the public and danger. We will not shy away from reform and we will never lose sight of our first duty: to keep the British public safe."

�鶹�� secretary sets out policing reforms

Polly Jones — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 12:06:17 +0000

�鶹�� secretary Shabana Mahmood has launches a white paper setting out reforms to policing.

The reforms are the largest since policing was professionalised 200 years ago.

The white paper, ‘From local to national: a new model for policing’, suggests launching a review into dramatically reducing the number of police forces in England and Wales. This is to make the police more cost efficient and ensure a less fragmented system.

A naw nationwide police force will be established to fight the most complex and serious crimes. This force will use state-of-the-art technology to fight complex and serious crime, bringing together the capabilities of the National Crime Agency, Counter Terrorism Policing, regional organised crime units, police helicopters and national roads policing.

It is believed that as one force, it will be better equipped to share technology, intelligence and resources to stop the growing threat from crime that has become increasingly complex, digital, online and with no respect for constabulary borders. A national police commissioner will be appointed to lead the force and will serve as the most senior police officer in the country.

As part of the plans, ministers will be able to intervene directly in failing forces, sending in specialist teams to turn them around so they fight crime more effectively.

Response officers will be expected to reach the scene of the most serious incidents within 15 minutes in cities and 20 minutes in rural areas, and forces will be expected to answer 999 phone calls within 10 seconds.

A new senior policing role will be introduced to lead the police’s nationwide response to public disorder, and galvanise and co-ordinate responses to major incidents.

Counter Terrorism Policing, the Metropolitan Police and the National Police Chiefs’ Council have released a joint statement in response.

They said: "Our organisations operate in an environment where crime is becoming increasingly complex, digitally enabled and dangerous. Terrorism, hostile state activity and organised criminal networks are now more interconnected than ever, demanding a policing model that is agile, capable and resilient.

"Modern crime requires a modern policing response. We support and have been calling for this ambitious step to bring together some of the most capable policing teams in the country into a single National Police Service . This builds on the high international regard that already exists amongst partners for Counter Terrorism Policing, whose capabilities and professionalism are recognised globally.

"This transformation, however, must be delivered with care. Its success depends on maintaining strong connections with local policing and the communities we serve.

"Neighbourhood officers remain indispensable in disrupting organised crime and countering terrorism. Their relationships, insights and presence on the ground are foundational to public safety.

"As we implement this reform programme, protecting those vital local links will be essential to ensuring the new National Police Service strengthens – not separates – the bond between policing and the public."

Review launched on public order and hate crime legislation

Polly Jones — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 10:50:23 +0000

Lord Macdonald of River Glaven KC has been appointed to lead an independent review of laws on public order and hate crime.

The review was announced following the terrorist attack in Manchester on 2 October.

The announcement followed concerns around community tensions and the impact of disruptive and intimidating protests and hate crime on the cohesion and safety of society.

The review will look at the powers police have to manage protests and the current hate crime laws, including offences for aggravated behaviour and “stirring up” hatred.

It will examine whether existing legislation is effective and proportionate, and whether it protects communities from hate and intimidation.

It will also consider if the law protects free speech and peaceful protest, while also preventing disorder and keeping people safe.

�鶹�� Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: "The terrorist attack in Manchester on 2 October shocked the nation and showed how hatred and division can fuel violence. It happened at a time of growing concern about protests and hate crime in this country.

"Our laws must protect the public, while upholding the right to protest and free speech. That is why we have asked Lord Macdonald to lead this review. His experience will ensure it is thorough and independent.

"Lawful protest and free speech are fundamental rights, but we cannot allow them to be abused to spread hate or cause disorder. The law must be fit for purpose and consistently applied."

Police and crime commissioners to be scrapped

Polly Jones — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 10:15:06 +0000

The government has announced that police and commissioners (PCCs) will be scrapped to save money to fund frontline officers.

It is anticipated that this could save the taxpayer at least £100 million.

The government has said it is doing this to cut the cost of unnecessary bureaucracy, with the money spend on restoring neighbourhood policing.

At least £20 million will be reinvested each year as a result of new efficiencies in police government. This could cover the cost of 320 constables.

PCCs have been around since 2012, but turnout for their election and public knowledge around who they are is low. Two in five people are unaware they exist.

Their duties will now be absorbed by regional mayors where possible, so measures to cut crime will be considered as part of wider public services such as education and healthcare.

In areas without mayors, the role will be taken on by elected council leaders.

The transition to the new model will happen at the end of the next electoral cycle in 2028.

�鶹�� Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said: “The introduction of police and crime commissioners by the last government was a failed experiment.

“I will introduce new reforms so police are accountable to their local mayoralties or local councils. The savings will fund more neighbourhood police on the beat across the country, fighting crime and protecting our communities.

“I would like to recognise the efforts of all current and former police and crime commissioners, and thank them. These individuals served their communities and will continue to do so until they have completed their current terms.”

Hate crimes increase compared to last year

Polly Jones — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 09:13:02 +0000

According to statistics from the �鶹�� Office, hate crimes increased 2 per cent compared to last year.

In the year ending March 2025, there were 115,990 hate crimes recorded by the police in England and Wales.

The stats don't include figures from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS). Due to a change in crime recording systems in the MPS in February 2024, their data is not directly comparable with data supplied to the �鶹�� Office prior to this change

There was a 6 per cent increase in race hate crimes and a 3 per cent increase in religious hate crimes recorded over the last year. There was a 19 per cent increase in religious hate crimes targeted at Muslims (excluding the MPS), with a spike around the time of the Southport murders and subsequent riots. The Southport attacker was not Muslim.

The number of religious hate crimes targeted at Jewish people fell by 18 per cent, from 2,093 to 1,715 offences. However it is noted that the figures exclude numbers from MPS, who recorded 40 per cent of all religious hate crimes targeted at Jewish people in the last year.

Religious hate crime targeted at Muslims make up 45 per cent of religious hate crimes. Religious hate crime targeting Jewish people accounted for 29 per cent of religious hate crimes.

Meanwhile, there were decreases in the three other strands: sexual orientation (down 2 per cent), disability (down 8 per cent) and transgender (down 11 per cent).

Hate crime is defined as ‘any criminal offence which is perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice towards someone based on a personal characteristic.